Senior Media Planner (Direct IO)

Wpromote; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Half-day Fridays

Multiple medical plans

401(k) with company matching

Employee Assistance Program

Free weekly virtual workouts

100% paid parental leave

FSAs

LinkedIn Learning access

Unlimited PTO

Organizational transparency

Wprotege mentorship program

Job summary

Wpromote is seeking a Senior Manager, Direct IO to lead digital-first media planning and activation with a deep emphasis on premium publisher partnerships, sponsorships, and cross-channel brand experiences. You will architect and oversee innovative digital activations and high-impact partnerships, while guiding select traditional media as complementary layers within the broader strategy.

This role requires a strategic thinker with the ability to elevate partnerships, lead RFP processes, and

Qualifications

• 3+ years of media planning & buying experience, with emphasis on premium digital partnerships and activations.
• Familiarity with programmatic strategies and how direct and programmatic intersect to create a unified media approach.
• Strong relationship-building with publishers, vendors, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategy, planning, and activation across direct digital partnerships including always-on, seasonal, and high-profile campaigns.
• Oversee innovative digital activations, partnerships, and custom content programs that push brands forward.
• Guide and integrate traditional media components (Linear, OOH, Audio) as complementary layers within the broader strategy.

Job description

• We are seeking a Senior Manager, Direct IO to lead digital-first media planning and activation with a deep emphasis on premium publisher partnerships, sponsorships, and cross-channel brand experiences. This leader will drive integrated display and video strategies in close collaboration with Programmatic teams, while ensuring traditional media expertise serves as an enhancement bringing breadth and rigor to our holistic approach
• As the day-to-day client lead, you will architect and oversee innovative digital activations, high-impact partnerships, and custom content programs that push brands forward. You will also guide selective traditional media executions (Linear, OOH, Audio) as complementary layers within the broader strategy
• Leading end-to-end strategy, planning, and activation across direct digital partnerships, including:
• Always-on, seasonal, and high-profile campaigns
• Digital-first sponsorships, tentpoles, and custom content integrations
• 360 activations spanning digital, physical, and experiential touchpoints
• Driving modern partnership innovation by:
• Identifying non-standard digital opportunities including custom content, creator tie-ins, experiential extensions, emerging formats
• Bringing forward new publisher, data, and measurement solutions that elevate client growth
• Championing advanced measurement adoption across digital partner programs
• Shaping strategy & client leadership:
• Building deep understanding of client business goals, audiences, and KPIs
• Ensuring all Direct IO activations ladder into unified, integrated media strategies
• Leading the full RFP process from brief development through vendor evaluation, negotiation, and final client presentation
• Elevating operational excellence:
• Improving workflows across planning, trafficking, reporting, and ad operations
• Developing negotiation best practices and actively upskilling the team
• Identifying incremental partnership opportunities and securing added value
• Collaborating cross-functionally:
• Partnering with Programmatic and Integrated Media leaders to deliver a cohesive Display & Video ecosystem
• Leveraging traditional media knowledge (Linear, OOH, Audio) as value-add expertise that informs and complements digital programs

Benefits

• Half-day Fridays every Friday
• 3 different medical plans to suit your needs, including a plan under $10 per month, as well as dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company matching
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program
• Free weekly virtual workout classes
• 100% paid parental leave policy for birth, adoption, and foster placement
• Medical and dependent care FSAs
• LinkedIn learning and access to internal training and development
• Unlimited PTO
• Organizational transparency - our c-suite and senior leadership are easily accessible to all employees, they share business updates, and recognize top employees through a monthly all-hands and a weekly CEO message
• Virtual experiences, from Slack cooking challenges to trivia tournaments and employee awards
• Wprotege mentorship program

This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong POV, a drive to elevate partnerships, and the ability to challenge the norm in pursuit of brand-building outcomesIf you excel in fast-paced environments, thrive on collaboration, and are passionate about cultivating talent and modern media craft, this is an opportunity to lead meaningful innovation

3+ years of media planning & buying experience, with a strong emphasis on premium digital partnerships, sponsorships, and custom activationsFamiliarity with programmatic and how direct and programmatic strategies intersect to create a unified media approachStrong relationship-building skills with publishers, vendors, and internal partnersExperience developing processes and elevating operational efficienciesStrong understanding of digital media channels across display, video, social, and branded contentExperience overseeing or supporting traditional media (Linear TV, Radio, OOH)—not required but a meaningful plusDemonstrated ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously and deliver high-quality work in compressed timelinesA future-focused, inquisitive mindset with a natural inclination to reimagine and improveProven ability to build and execute large-scale, publisher-direct programs that include brief development, partner vetting, negotiation, and storytelling through recommendations