Media Director Job at Wunderman Thompson in Chicago

Overview

VML is seeking a Media Director to join our Connections department to support a key client. We are looking for a leader who can embody and support our vision and strategic direction, effectively develop and present materials for new business pitches, and be an integral part of our team. This role requires someone who can manage client media-related issues, foster strong client relationships, and lead media planning efforts that drive innovative and effective ideas. We aim to reinforce consumer behaviors in integrated idea development, empower innovative ideas with new media technologies, and supervise the implementation of integrated offerings and tools.

What We Are Looking For

VML is seeking a Media Director to join our Connections department to support a key client. We are looking for a leader who can embody and support our vision and strategic direction, effectively develop and present materials for new business pitches, and be an integral part of our team. This role requires someone who can manage client media-related issues, foster strong client relationships, and lead media planning efforts that drive innovative and effective ideas. We are looking for a professional who can continually reinforce consumer behaviors in integrated idea development, empower innovative ideas with new media technologies, and supervise the implementation of integrated offerings and tools.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management: Manage the flow of client media-related issues, creating solutions and resolving problems.
• Leadership & Management: Develop and maintain excellent relationships with clients.
• Leadership & Management: Establish timetables for the development of plans.
• Leadership & Management: Support the growth and development of junior team members.
• Media Planning: Develop media plans that support the client\'s marketing objectives.
• Media Planning: Continually reinforce consumer behaviors in the integrated idea development process.
• Media Planning: Empower innovative ideas by bringing appropriate new media technologies and capabilities to the ideation conversation.
• Media Planning: Identify opportunities for content partnerships and multi-platform media partnerships.
• Media Planning: Create media plan recommendations and alternatives.
• Media Planning: Select media channels and determine scheduling.
• Media Planning: Analyze competitive activity in the marketplace.
• Media Planning: Present media plans to clients.
• Media Planning: Work with the analytics team to develop a measurement framework for campaigns.
• Media Planning: Work with the analytics team to measure media performance, make recommendations for optimization.
• Media Planning: Develop recap reporting to understand and document final campaign performance against goals and critical learnings.
• Media Planning: Ensure media plans are executed as planned and approved, on schedule and within budget.
• Media Planning: Regularly meet with media and industry reps to develop and maintain expertise on available technologies and capabilities.

Who You Are

• An individual with outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Adept at using media research and planning tools to determine audience size and audience attributes.
• Someone with demonstrated success in client relationships, team management, and media planning.
• Possesses the fortitude to stay calm under pressure.

What You\'ll Need

• 8+ years of experience with media planning and performance media. Agency experience required.
• Team management experience
• Client facing experience
• A professional with demonstrated ability to manage and lead across cross functional internal teams and lead with external clients, partners and vendors
• Strong integration with research/planning and analytics/measurement/optimization

What We Offer

• Passionate, driven people: We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture: We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits: We offer full-time hires a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, a 401k match, and paid time off reflecting life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities: We nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and training opportunities through VML and WPP for ongoing personal and professional growth.

Equal Opportunity providers: VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other protected status. We value diversity and inclusion and strive to recruit a diverse slate of candidates.

The base salary range for this position is $75,000–$180,000 USD. Individual compensation varies based on location, responsibilities, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package; details available upon request.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. We’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on social channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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