Critical Mass is hiring : Associate Media Director in Chicago

Associate Media Director

As the Associate Media Director , you will lead strategic media planning and execution to drive business performance. Collaborating with cross‑functional teams, you will set media objectives, manage client relationships, and oversee campaign execution across key platforms like DSPs, Google, META, and TTD. You will guide and mentor your team, using data insights to optimize performance, deliver innovative solutions, and ensure campaign accuracy and efficiency.

You Will

• Lead media planning and investment for local campaigns, focusing on performance‑driven strategies and regional buying.
• Collaborate with planning leads, marketing science teams, and creative counterparts to establish clear media objectives and drive strategic alignment.
• Explore new media solutions, utilizing strategic thinking and creativity to develop innovative alternatives.
• Manage client relationships and day‑to‑day queries, providing strategic direction and guidance to media teams.
• Oversee media execution, ensuring timely delivery against key milestones, including buy negotiations, live dates, and performance reporting.
• Develop and implement media strategies across DSPs, Google, Search, META (paid social), and TTD, ensuring optimal use of platforms.
• Manage and mentor the development of Associates and Supervisor teams, fostering their skills and supporting career growth.
• Lead the process of compiling and interpreting media research to inform media plan development and recommendations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal media planners, creative teams, and clients, acting as a key strategic media partner.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, exploring new opportunities and meeting with media / vendor representatives to inform strategic decisions.
• Oversee partner relationships and media buy delivery, ensuring high levels of accuracy and alignment with client objectives.
• Manage budgets efficiently, ensuring compliance with the SOX process and effective investment oversight.
• Present media plans and performance insights internally and to clients, providing actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of competitive analysis to deepen knowledge of the competitive landscape and inform media strategies.

You Have

What We Offer

Equal Opportunity Employer

Critical Mass is an equal opportunity employer. The Critical Mass Talent Acquisition team will only communicate from email addresses that use the URLs criticalmass.com, omc.com and us.greenhouse-mail.io.

We will never ask you to send us money, technology, or anything else to work for our company. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please review your local government consumer protections guidance and reach out to them directly.

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