Senior Manager, Digital Media Strategy & Planning

iHeartMedia; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer sponsored benefits

401K plan

Paid vacation and holidays

EAP program

Job summary

iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America, seeks a Senior Manager for Digital Media Strategy & Planning in Chicago. You will craft integrated digital campaigns across streaming audio, podcasts, social, and live events, and serve as a strategic partner to the sales team.

Responsibilities include writing decks, shaping narratives, guiding campaigns from concept to completion, and ensuring compliance with internal rules.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of experience in digital media planning or related field.
• Strong balance of strategic and creative thinking with storytelling.
• Proven ability to manage projects independently with attention to detail.
• Deep understanding of internal processes and pricing structures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Highly organized and deadline-driven.
• Collaborative mindset with professional maturity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of digital media plans in response to RFPs across streaming, podcasting, social, and live experiences.
• Own the creation and writing of presentation decks, translating strategy and insights into clear, persuasive storytelling.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, research, and inventory teams to bring fully integrated programs to market.
• Bring forward creative, insight-driven ideas that connect advertiser objectives to iHeartMedia’s assets.
• Interpret and apply internal business rules to ensure compliant, feasible proposals.
• Operate independently to manage timelines, solve problems, and elevate challenges when needed.
• Leverage post-sale performance data and insights to inform future campaign planning.
• Work within planning and inventory systems to confirm campaign viability and availability.

Skills

Digital media planning

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication skills

PowerPoint & Excel

Collaboration

Job description

iHeartMedia

The audio revolution is here - and iHeart is leading it! iHeartMedia, the number one audio company in America, reaches 90% of Americans every month -- a monthly audience that’s twice the size of any other audio company - almost three times the size of the largest TV network - and almost 4 times the size of the largest ad-supported music streaming service.

Because we reach almost every community in America, we’re committed to providing a range of programming that reflects the diversity of the many communities we serve – and our company reflects that same kind of diversity. Our company values stress collaboration, curiosity, welcoming dissent, accepting mistakes in the pursuit of new ideas, and respect for everyone.

Only one company in America has the #1 position in everything audio: iHeartMedia!

If you’re excited about this role but don’t feel your experience aligns perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. At iHeartMedia we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and are looking for teammates passionate about what we do!

What We Need:

iHeartMedia is looking for a strategic, creative, and highly independent Senior Manager to join our Digital Media Strategy & Planning team. In this role, you’ll help shape innovative digital campaigns that span streaming audio, podcasts, social platforms, and live events positioning iHeartMedia as the leading force in digital audio and entertainment.

You’ll serve as a key strategic partner to the sales organization, leading RFP responses, driving creative ideation, and crafting compelling narratives that bring our capabilities to life. You’ll be expected to work independently, navigate complex internal systems and business rules, and proactively elevate issues when necessary, articulating challenges and solutions with clarity and confidence.

The ideal candidate role will have a strong understanding of the digital landscape including fast growing platforms like social, emerging platforms (i.e. connected devices, OTT) and podcasting. We’re looking for a digital expert that can craft compelling stories for clients as well as determine effective media strategies. They will be self-starters with polished written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate their ideas coupled and analytical skills to accurately translate those ideas into media plans. Collaboration is key as they will be working with Go to Market, Sales, Packaging, Research, Creative Services and Product Teams.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the strategic development of digital media plans in response to RFPs across streaming, podcasting, social, and live experiences
• Own the creation and writing of presentation decks, translating strategy and insights into clear, persuasive storytelling
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, research, and inventory teams to bring fully integrated programs to market
• Bring forward creative, insight-driven ideas that connect advertiser objectives to iHeartMedia’s unique assets
• Interpret and apply internal business rules to ensure compliant, feasible proposals
• Operate independently to manage timelines, solve problems, and elevate challenges when needed - clearly articulating complex situations to cross‑functional partners
• Leverage post‑sale performance data and insights to inform and enhance future campaign planning
• Work within planning and inventory systems to confirm campaign viability and availability

What You’ll Need:

• 4–5 years of experience in digital media planning, integrated strategy, or a related field
• A strong balance of strategic and creative thinking with a passion for storytelling and campaign ideation
• Proven ability to manage projects independently, with sound judgment and strong attention to detail
• Deep understanding of internal processes, pricing structures, and the ability to apply and uphold business rules
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to distill and present complex ideas clearly
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel (or Google Slides/Sheets)
• Highly organized, deadline-driven, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• A collaborative mindset with professional maturity and the confidence to lead and influence

Compensation:

Salary to be determined by multiple factors including but not limited to relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and alignment with market data.

$65,800 - $82,250

Location:

Chicago, IL: 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 30th Floor, 60601

Position Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Type:

Salaried

Benefits:

iHeartMedia’s benefits offering is flexible and offers a variety of choices to meet the diverse needs of our changing workforce, including the following:

• Employer sponsored medical, dental and vision with a variety of coverage options
• Company provided and supplemental life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid company holidays
• A Spirit day to encourage and allow our employees to more easily volunteer in their community
• A 401K plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost – services include telephonic counseling sessions, consultation on legal and financial matters, emotional well‑being, family and caregiving
• A range of additional voluntary programs, such as spending accounts, student loan refinancing, accident insurance and more!

We are accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.

Non-Compete will be required for certain positions and as allowed by law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our organization participates in E-Verify.