Media Director

Mile Marker; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Mile Marker is seeking a strategic and data-driven Director, Media to lead media planning, buying, and optimization for multiple channels. You will drive comprehensive omnichannel strategies, budget allocation, and client leadership to maximize ROAS.

The role requires 8+ years in media with a track record managing $2M+ budgets, strong leadership, and expertise across Google Ads, Meta, The Trade Desk, and analytics tools. Hybrid positions in NYC/SF offer collaboration with a high-caliber team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or related field.
• 8+ years in media planning and buying, with leadership experience.
• Proven experience managing substantial media budgets ($2M+ annually).
• Strong background in digital media channels and retail media networks.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive omnichannel media strategies aligned with objectives.
• Lead media planning, audience targeting, channel selection, and budgeting.
• Oversee campaigns across digital, traditional, and emerging channels.
• Collaborate with analytics, and bidding teams for cohesive execution.
• Present recommendations and insights to senior leadership and clients.
• Mentor and develop a team of planners, buyers, and analysts.
• Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks for all activities.
• Create reports and provide actionable optimization recommendations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Data-driven

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field

Tools

Google Ads

Meta Business Manager

The Trade Desk

Google Analytics

Job description

We are a modern omnichannel agency uniquely connecting data, creative and media to accelerate results for growth marketers. Mile Marker is an agency where content fuels performance, media drives outcomes, and data underpins an engine that eliminates the gaps that slow down enterprise growth marketers. This unified growth engine feeds a learning system within Relay, our open-powered marketing stack, ensuring every impression, message and experience is built for a business outcome. Mile Marker’s client roster includes FreshPet, DoorDash, Spectrum, Webster Bank, TrueGreen, HelloFresh and Harry’s, among others.

We are a team of strategists, media experts, creatives, innovators and analysts. Over 100 Milers (our humans) strong with hybrid-offices in New York City and San Francisco.

For more information, go to www.milemarkeragency.com.

About the role

We are seeking a strategic and data driven Director, Media to lead our media planning, buying, and optimization efforts across all channels. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in media strategy, digital advertising, and client and team leadership, with a proven track record of driving measurable results and maximizing return on advertising spend.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop comprehensive omnichannel media strategies aligned with business objectives and marketing goals
• Lead media planning process including audience targeting, channel selection, and budget allocation
• Oversee integrated campaigns across digital, traditional, and emerging media channels
• Collaborate with analytics, and biddable team to ensure cohesive campaign execution
• Present media recommendations and performance insights to senior leadership and clients
• Have strong client leadership skills and ability to create growth opportunities

Media Operations & Optimization

• Manage media buying across platforms including, but not limited to, Google Ads, social media platforms (Meta / TikTok), and Video (OLV / CTV / Linear TV)
• Monitor campaign performance and implement optimization strategies to improve KPIs
• Negotiate media rates and placements with vendors and media partners
• Ensure campaigns are delivered on time, on budget, and meet performance benchmarks
• Stay current with industry trends, new platforms, and emerging technologies

Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of media planners, buyers, and analysts
• Set performance goals and provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous learning
• Manage team workload and resource allocation across multiple accounts and projects

Analytics & Reporting

• Establish measurement frameworks and KPIs for all media activities
• Analyze campaign performance data and provide actionable insights and recommendations
• Create comprehensive reports for internal stakeholders and external clients
• Implement attribution models and measurement solutions to track customer journey
• Use data to inform future media strategies and budget recommendations

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Advertising, Communications, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in media planning and buying, with at least 3 years in a leadership and/or managerial role
• Proven experience managing substantial media budgets ($2M+ annually)
• Strong background in digital media channels
• Experience with marketing mix modeling or multi-touch attribution, sales lift, and brand health studies
• Knowledge of emerging channels such as Connected TV, audio streaming, or social commerce and retail media platforms including Walmart Connect, Instacart, Roundel (Target), Criteo Retail Media, Amazon, and other Retail Media Networks (RMNs)
• Understanding of the retail media ecosystem, and the evolving role of retail media within omni-channel marketing.
• Proven ability to analyze data, optimize campaigns for performance, and communicate insights to internal and external stakeholders.
• Agency or client-side experience across multiple industries

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in media planning and buying platforms (Google Ads, Meta Business Manager, The Trade Desk, etc.)
• Experience with analytics tools (Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, etc.)
• Knowledge of attribution and measurement platforms
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills and familiarity with data visualization tools
• Understanding of programmatic advertising and automated buying platforms

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate business objectives into media strategies
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Leadership experience with ability to manage and develop team members
• Project management skills with ability to handle multiple campaigns simultaneously
• Negotiation skills and vendor relationship management