Senior Strategy Manager / Orange County, CA (Hybrid)

AI Digital; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Unlimited PTO

Growth resources

Team events

Health insurance

ClassPass coverage

Job summary

AI Digital is seeking a Senior Strategic Media Lead to shape media strategies, own client relationships, and drive Retail Media opportunities. You will support pitches, collaborate on-site in Orange County, and turn insights into actionable recommendations for clients and internal teams.

The role requires agency experience, strong programmatic knowledge, and excellent communication and presentation skills, with hybrid on-site/remote flexibility in the US.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in digital media planning, media buying, or advertising strategy, ideally within a digital advertising agency.
• Hands-on experience with Retail Media, including retail media networks, commerce media, or retailer advertising platforms.
• Agency-side experience, with a strong understanding of how to develop strategies and deliver solutions for clients.
• Client-facing experience, including presenting recommendations, managing stakeholder relationships, and collaborating directly with client teams.
• Strong understanding of programmatic advertising and the broader digital advertising ecosystem.
• Ability to develop compelling media strategies, proposals, and presentations that connect business objectives with actionable recommendations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Based in Orange County, CA, or within reasonable commuting distance, with availability to work on-site with the client twice per week.

Responsibilities

• Shape media strategies and present recommendations and media plans.
• Own strategic relationships with key client.
• Drive retail media opportunities and solutions.
• Support pitches and proposals with the Growth team.
• Collaborate on-site with client stakeholders in Orange County twice per week.
• Turn insights into actionable recommendations for clients and internal teams.
• Support strategic planning for high-priority, time-sensitive requests.
• Create strategic materials and POVs communicating expertise and approach.
• Improve strategy operations with reusable templates and processes.

Skills

Digital media planning

Media buying

Advertising strategy

Retail Media

Agency experience

Client-facing

Programmatic advertising

Analytics

Communication

Presentation skills

Job description

What You'll Do

• Shape Media Strategies: вevelop and present strategic recommendations, media plans, and advertising solutions aligned with client objectives and growth opportunities.
• Own Strategic Client Relationships: erve as a primary strategic point of contact for a key client, building strong relationships, understanding their priorities, and providing ongoing strategic guidance.
• Drive Retail Media Opportunities: identify and recommend retail media and commerce advertising solutions that support the client's marketing and business goals.
• Support Pitches & Proposals: partner with the Growth team to develop compelling client pitches, strategic proposals, and presentations that bring our recommendations to life.
• Collaborate On-Site: work directly with client stakeholders in Orange County at least twice per week, participating in strategic discussions, planning sessions, and presentations.
• Turn Insights into Action: conduct industry research, monitor emerging trends and technologies, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for clients and internal teams.
• Support Strategic Planning: contribute to high-priority and time-sensitive requests from the Growth team, bringing strategic thinking and media expertise to new business opportunities.
• Create Strategic Materials: bduild capabilities decks, industry-specific presentations, company POVs, and other materials that communicate our expertise and strategic approach.
• Improve Strategy Operations: develop reusable templates, frameworks, and processes to streamline day-to-day strategy work and improve collaboration across teams.

Must-have

• Proven experience in digital media planning, media buying, or advertising strategy, ideally within a digital advertising agency.
• Hands-on experience with Retail Media, including retail media networks, commerce media, or retailer advertising platforms.
• Agency-side experience, with a strong understanding of how to develop strategies and deliver solutions for clients.
• Client-facing experience, including presenting recommendations, managing stakeholder relationships, and collaborating directly with client teams.
• Strong understanding of programmatic advertising and the broader digital advertising ecosystem.
• Ability to develop compelling media strategies, proposals, and presentations that connect business objectives with actionable recommendations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Based in Orange County, CA, or within reasonable commuting distance, with availability to work on-site with the client twice per week.

Nice-to-have

• Experience working with consumer electronics, technology, or other major consumer brands.
• Experience supporting both pre-sale and post-sale strategy, including new business pitches and ongoing client strategic planning.
• Familiarity with major retail media platforms and networks, such as Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, or other commerce media solutions.

What You Get

• Competitive salary that values your expertise.
• Work from anywhere: fully remote to suit your lifestyle.
• Unlimited PTO that we actually encourage you to use — for adventures, recovery, or just because.
• Growth-focused environment: access to learning resources and clear pathways for growth.
• Fun team events: from virtual pasta-making to yoga sessions, we make remote feel close.
• A culture of trust: we cut the red tape — open talk, ownership, and getting things done together. Results over rules, always.
• Health insurance and ClassPass coverage: supporting your well-being both inside and outside of work.

Hiring Flow

• Screening Interview (45 minutes): initial conversation with a recruiter.
• Case Study Assignment: complete a task designed to showcase your skills.
• Team Interview (up to 60 minutes): a meeting with your potential Team Lead and future colleagues to assess team fit and discuss role-specific responsibilities, expectations and workflows.
• Final Interview (Up to 60 minutes): meet with the Team Lead for an in-depth discussion of your experience and skills.