SVP, Marketing and Media Job at Critical Mass in Chicago

Critical Mass is hiring an SVP of Media and Marketing to lead our rapidly expanding media discipline—a role with significant influence, strategic impact, and the opportunity to shape the future of media planning and strategy at scale. If you're a strategic media leader who thrives on influence, believes in putting media expertise first, and wants to grow alongside a fast scaling, forward thinking organization, we want to hear from you! You Will: Drive strategic direction and vision across two portfolios for six key clients, establishing the media strategy framework that guides all work Own audience development, communications planning, and competitive insights while bridging media, marketing science, strategy, and creative disciplines to ensure seamless collaboration Lead a team across multiple clients, coaching VP leads, managing performance, and fostering an empathetic, inclusive culture that attracts exceptional media strategists Partner with MKS, Strategy, and Creative leads for media ideation and campaign execution Develop and execute thought leadership through strategic storytelling across multiple formats to position Critical Mass as an industry authority Drive new business opportunities and expand client relationships while maintaining visibility and influence across all strategic initiatives and staying actively engaged in new business pitches Serve as the senior strategic voice for critical client relationships, ensuring our team is perceived as the expert voice and maintaining deep partnerships with key stakeholders Be part of Critical Mass's executive team, directly influencing the evolution and reshaping of our media discipline as we scale to the next level Oversee team deliverables and validate decisions to ensure consistently exceptional client work and team execution Stay ahead of industry trends and client developments, serving as an expert resource who informs strategy with competitive intelligence and market insights Develop deep understanding of CM’s capabilities and disciplines, know when to leverage each to achieve ideal outcomes for clients You Have: Minimum 2‑3 years of VP level experience leading media strategy for multiple clients simultaneously—demonstrating strong judgment in allocating time and resources effectively across competing priorities Diverse background across industries, agency sizes (large and small), and client verticals Executive‑level business acumen and presence to engage confidently with C‑suite leadership across agency and client organizations, with the agility to pivot and mobilize the right capabilities as business needs evolve Preferred experience in recruitment marketing, nonprofit, and/or financial services sectors Strategic storytelling expertise—ability to translate complex brand strategies into compelling media narratives across multiple formats Proven new business acumen and sales ability to influence vision across stakeholders and disciplines Empathetic, flexible leadership style that adapts to individual team member needs and aligns with Critical Mass culture Genuine curiosity about client industries, competitive landscapes, and emerging media trends What We Offer: Global maternity and parental leave Competitive benefits packages Vacation, flex days, and sick days Access to online services for families and new parents Summer Fridays (off at 3:00 PM local time every Friday) 12 affinity groups Internal learning and development programs Enterprise‑wide employee discounts This position requires candidates to obtain a Level 2 Security Clearance in accordance with U.S. government regulations. As such, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents (Green Card holders) are eligible to apply. Critical Mass is an equal‑opportunity employer. Salary Range: $200,000 – $220,000 USD #J-18808-Ljbffr