Title: Associate Director, Media Planning
Type: 6-month Contract
Hourly Rate: $50-60/hr
Location: Chicago | Hybrid | On-site 2 days a week
Position Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Associate Director of Media Planning to help lead and grow our upper-funnel media practice—including both traditional and digital channels—within a high-performing performance marketing agency. You’ll drive integrated planning, mentor a talented team, and work cross-functionally to deliver innovative, data-driven media strategies for top-tier clients.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development of full-funnel, cross-channel media strategies in partnership with strategy, insights, analytics, creative, and activation teams
- Leverage tools like MRI Simmons, Pathmatics, Kantar, GWI, Nielsen, iSpot, GA4, and CRM data to define audience insights, campaign objectives, and performance metrics
- Establish and evolve measurement frameworks for awareness, brand lift, and consideration goals, in collaboration with analytics and insights teams
- Vet emerging platforms, media partners, and traditional opportunities; pitch new campaign ideas alongside strategy and account teams
- Serve as a trusted client-facing expert for upper-funnel media planning and buying across multiple verticals
- Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a growth-oriented team culture
- Represent media strategy in new business pitches, helping to craft compelling stories and present strategic vision
- Stay on top of industry trends, new media channels, and evolving consumer behaviors across TV, digital, social, programmatic, audio, print, OOH, and more
What You Bring
- 6+ years of media planning/buying experience, with deep expertise in both traditional and digital channels
- Hands-on experience in platforms like paid social, search, and programmatic display/video
- Familiarity with Nielsen tools (Media Impact & Commspoint) and other key research and measurement platforms
- Strong client presence with proven success managing enterprise-level accounts
- Excellent communication and presentation skills—able to influence both internally and externally
- Existing vendor/platform relationships and a sharp eye for emerging media opportunities
- A passion for team-building, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration
- A strategic, growth-focused mindset