Paid Media Director

FTI Consulting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Consulting is seeking a Paid Media Director to develop and execute paid media and digital strategy based on data-driven insights. The role partners with clients across sectors on corporate positioning, public affairs campaigns, crisis response, and multi-channel programs.

You’ll work directly with clients to translate objectives into strategy, lead end-to-end campaigns, and contribute to thought leadership while growing the CPI&I practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Political Science, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on paid media experience, ideally in a communications agency or digital consultancy.
• Experience planning and executing paid campaigns across paid search, paid social, and programmatic display.
• Proficiency with analytics tools including GA4 and platform reporting.
• Experience with listening/monitoring tools and building dashboards for reputation tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of paid media campaigns across channels.
• Translate client objectives into actionable paid media plans with budgeting and KPI frameworks.
• Oversee creative concepting and copy requirements for paid activations.
• Own campaign trafficking, tagging, and QA for accurate tracking and attribution.
• Manage campaign budgets and flag optimization opportunities to leadership.
• Serve as primary client contact on paid media accounts and report performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated programs.
• Contribute to client scopes, proposals, and pitches.

Skills

Paid media strategy

Campaign analytics

Client management

Team mentorship

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Marketing/Related field

Tools

Google Analytics (GA4)

Google Tag Manager

Brandwatch/Meltwater/Sprinklr

DSPs & programmatic buying

Job description

Who We Are

FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.

Who We Are

FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations. At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side‑by‑side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.

About The Role

Our Corporate Positioning & Insights (CPI&I) practice is seeking a Paid Media Director to develop and execute paid media and digital strategy based on data‑driven insights. This role will be an important contributor to accounts covering ongoing corporate brand positioning, public affairs campaigns, crisis response and special situations.

In this role, the candidate will have the opportunity to work directly with clients across a range of sectors, as a key contributor to strategy and delivery, as well as helping to position our firm through thought leadership and contributions to generating new business. The role will develop in‑depth knowledge of client objectives and challenges and bring expertise in paid media strategy to bear on fast‑moving, news‑shaping client engagements.

What You’ll Do

Paid Media Strategy & Execution

• Lead the end‑to‑end management of paid media campaigns across channels including paid search (Google, Bing, ChatGPT), paid social (LinkedIn, Meta, X/Twitter), programmatic display, video/CTV, and out of home from briefing through to post‑campaign analysis.
• Translate client business objectives and communications strategies into actionable paid media plans, including audience segmentation, channel selection, budget allocation, and KPI frameworks.
• Conceptualize and oversee creative concepting and copy requirements for paid activations, collaborating with creative and content colleagues to ensure messaging alignment.
• Own campaign trafficking, tagging, and QA processes to ensure accurate tracking and attribution across all paid programmes.
• Manage campaign budgets with rigor, maintaining pacing reports and proactively flagging optimization opportunities or risks to senior team members and clients.

Client & Account Management

• Serve as a primary day‑to‑day client contact on paid media accounts, communicating clearly and proactively with clients on campaign status, performance, and strategic direction.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with colleagues across Corporate Positioning & Insights and wider Strategic Communications practices—including public affairs, financial communications, crisis management and corporate reputation to deliver integrated, multi‑channel communications programs.
• Contribute to the development of client scopes, proposals, and presentations, articulating paid media strategy and measurement frameworks to senior audiences.
• Support new business development efforts by contributing paid media expertise to pitches and credential documents.

Team & Practice Development

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior analysts and associates, reviewing their work and supporting their development in paid media craft.
• Contribute to Corporate Positioning & Insights' internal knowledge‑sharing, staying current on platform updates, industry tools, and emerging best practices and disseminating insights to the broader team.
• Assist in establishing and refining team processes, workflow standards, and quality‑control frameworks for paid media delivery.

How You’ll Grow

We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development. We have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on‑the‑job learning, self‑guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth. As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.

What You Will Need To Succeed

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Political Science, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on paid media experience, ideally within a communications agency, public affairs firm, or digital consultancy.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing paid campaigns across paid search (Google Ads), paid social (LinkedIn, Meta), and programmatic display platforms.
• Proficiency in campaign measurement and analytics tools, including Google Analytics (GA4), Google Tag Manager, and native platform reporting.
• Experience with listening and monitoring tools such as Brandwatch, Meltwater and Signal AI, with proficiency in building queries using Boolean logic and establishing dashboards for reputation tracking.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data sets into clear, client‑ready narrative and recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior client stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines simultaneously in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment.
• Ability to travel to FTI office(s) and client site as needed
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer on a full‑time basis; this position does not provide visa sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in B2B or public affairs paid media, including issue advocacy, corporate reputation, or financial communications campaigns.
• Familiarity with DSPs and programmatic buying platforms.
• Experience with CTV/OTT media planning and buying.
• Working knowledge of data visualization and dashboarding tools
• Google Ads, Meta Blueprint, or other relevant platform certifications.
• Experience with audience research, social listening, and media intelligence tools (e.g., Brandwatch, Meltwater, Sprinklr).
• Familiarity with SEO, search strategy, AI‑powered search, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and evolving digital discovery trends.
• Exposure to A/B and multivariate creative testing methodologies.

FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Compensation

Minimum Pay: $99,000

Maximum Pay: $172,500

Compensation Disclosure: The compensation range reflects potential base salary for the role. Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual’s location, skills, level of experience, and qualifications.