Media Director

ad+one; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ad+one is seeking a Media Director to lead hybrid work, two days in the Chicago office. The role blends upper-funnel brand strategy with measurable lower-funnel outcomes, guiding cross-functional teams and senior clients toward thoughtful, data-driven media investments.

The ideal leader will mentor teams, shape media strategies across channels, and present performance insights to executives, driving agency growth and client success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive media strategy and planning experience in an agency.
• Proven success leading integrated media programs across channels.
• Understanding upper- and mid-funnel impact on lower-funnel outcomes.
• Experience advising clients in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Leadership experience managing direct reports and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent presentation and executive relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and propose strategic pivots.
• Collaboration with analytics to develop measurement frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated media strategy across channels aligned with client objectives.
• Develop omnichannel media plans from awareness to conversion.
• Partner with senior client stakeholders as strategic consultant.
• Translate business challenges into data-supported media recommendations.
• Guide clients through evolving priorities with strategic pivots.
• Lead and mentor media teams across planning, buying, analytics, strategy, creative, and account management.
• Present strategic recommendations, campaign performance, and insights to executives.
• Build measurement frameworks linking media investments to leads and acquisition.
• Collaborate on new business opportunities and agency growth initiatives.
• Promote continuous learning, innovation, accountability, and curiosity.

Skills

Media strategy

Team leadership

Executive relationships

Client advisory

Data-driven decision-making

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Mentoring

Job description

Media Director – (hybrid 2 days a week in office)

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable developing upper-funnel brand strategies and connecting those investments to lower-funnel business performance. They thrive in ambiguous environments, confidently guide clients through changing business priorities, and inspire cross-functional teams to deliver thoughtful, measurable solutions. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to clients while mentoring teams, driving strategic thinking, and helping shape the future of media within the agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead integrated media strategy across all channels, ensuring media investments align with client business objectives.
• Develop omnichannel media plans spanning awareness, consideration, and conversion.
• Partner directly with senior client stakeholders, serving as a strategic consultant and trusted business advisor.
• Translate business challenges into actionable media recommendations supported by data and insights.
• Guide clients through evolving priorities by recommending strategic pivots as market conditions and business goals change.
• Lead and mentor media teams while fostering collaboration across planning, buying, analytics, strategy, creative, and account management.
• Present strategic recommendations, campaign performance, and business insights to executive-level clients.
• Build measurement frameworks that connect media investment to business outcomes, including leads, demand generation, and customer acquisition.
• Collaborate on new business opportunities and contribute to agency growth initiatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, innovation, accountability, and strategic curiosity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive media strategy and planning experience within an agency environment.
• Proven success leading integrated media programs across channels.
• Strong understanding of how upper- and mid-funnel media influences lower-funnel performance and measurable business outcomes.
• Experience advising clients on evolving marketing strategies in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing direct reports while leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and executive relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, solve complex business problems, and make informed strategic recommendations.
• Experience partnering with analytics teams to develop measurement frameworks and optimize performance.

Preferred Experience

Preferred Experience Candidates with experience in one or more of the following industries are highly desirable: Retail, Financial Services, Insurance, Digital Commerce, Secondary Marketplace businesses (e.g., ticketing, resale marketplaces, automotive marketplaces, or similar business models) Experience connecting digital with offline media—including television, audio, radio, podcasts, influencers, partnerships, streaming, and out-of-home—to measurable digital business outcomes is especially valuable.

Leadership Profile

• Executive presence with a collaborative leadership style.
• Confidence without ego.
• Intellectual curiosity and a forward-looking perspective on the future of media.
• Comfort working in environments that require agility rather than rigid processes.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect marketing strategy to measurable business growth.

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