Rise, a Quad agency is hiring: Associate Director, Media Planning in Chicago

Associate Director, Media Planning

Rise is an award‑winning, full‑service Media Agency of Record that is backed by data and powered by people. We create omnichannel experiences using our proprietary tech stack and advanced analytics capabilities to help solve the unique struggles brands face today. Our focus is transparency at its core, specializing in omnichannel media, commerce and retail media, advanced in‑home media, as well as content and creator marketing.

We offer “Risers” the opportunity to work in an ever‑evolving industry that fosters learning and development, provides an innovative work environment, diverse projects and clients, career advancement paths, a collaborative team environment, corporate social responsibility initiatives, an inclusive and diverse culture, and association with a reputable media agency. We’re looking for talent like you who can continue to elevate our work and culture.

General Purpose

The Associate Director, Media Planning is responsible for developing an understanding of clients’ business model and pain points and translating them to custom media strategies. The ideal candidate has a passion for digital marketing, an in‑depth understanding of all media channels, both online and offline, and the ability to think critically. They will work on both existing client strategy and new client strategy opportunities, strategically developing media plans that deliver against goals / KPIs and provide ongoing guidance for next‑level strategies. They lead a team of planners and managers to support growth and changing needs of client business in a continuously evolving media landscape. They foster a positive team culture and form strong collaborative relationships both internally and externally.

Location

NY, Chicago, or Minneapolis offices; 4 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Media Planning leadership to develop innovative and custom solutions to achieve client goals for prospective and current clients.
• Collaborate with strategy, communications planning, and creative teams to define media strategies that are integrated across moments/tactics and align with client campaign objectives.
• Oversee media strategy, campaign creation, budget, optimization, and testing strategy(ies) for full‑funnel, multi‑platform campaigns across all paid channels including television, radio, print, out‑of‑home, digital, social, and mobile media.
• Leverage insights, learnings, and modeling to determine the right channel mix and bolster the data‑informed portions of media plans.
• Stay current with new advances in media, the competitive landscape, and vendor capabilities; use that knowledge to influence current and future business plans and strategies.
• Drive media innovation, thought leadership, and best practice sharing throughout the department.
• Participate in developing and nurturing relationships with media partners and technology companies to enable first‑mover access, competitive rates, and innovative programs.
• Identify and lead the prioritization of media projects to manage workflow across the assigned client portfolio.
• Establish and share media best practices and benchmarks across teams; highlight opportunities to test, learn, and optimize based on customer insights, competitive media initiatives, new channels, and/or offerings by channel.
• Assist or lead in the preparation and presentation of new business pitches as requested by supervisor.
• Represent the agency’s mission, capabilities, and goals accurately to clients, business development prospects, and potential industry allies (vendors, peers, etc.).
• Review all marketing strategies/research for assigned clients as a “quality control” function.
• Understand each client’s market, challenges/opportunities, and competition.
• Think strategically and tactically to meet client needs, improve current services, or deliver new services.
• Maintain contact with key industry associations and organizations.
• Perform other responsibilities as they are developed/defined.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: 7+ years of media experience at both a tactical (implementing) and strategic level (guiding and training); agency experience is a plus.
• 3+ years in a management or supervisory role.
• Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify, recruit, and retain top talent; experience managing personnel issues positively.
• Proven quantitative and analytic capabilities; expertise in translating data into insights.
• Proven ability to manage multiple, simultaneous short‑ and long‑term projects.
• Track record of strong judgment and prioritization.
• Ability to implement change quickly to support evolving client initiatives or marketplace occurrences.
• Working knowledge of third‑party media research including Nielsen, MRI, Scarborough, Media Radar, DoubleClick, YouGov.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience building client decks and pitching current and up‑sell opportunities.
• Expert understanding of media planning, distribution, and syndication of content.
• Collaborative approach with an all‑in attitude.
• Client‑facing track record.
• Skilled at manipulating and understanding data to draw actionable, data‑driven decisions.
• Strong interpersonal, partnership, and influencing management skills.
• Self‑motivated and creative strategic thinker who thrives in a fast‑paced environment.
• Extensive knowledge of the media industry, deep expertise in media strategy and performance‑based marketing across all channels, media analytics/ROI, and planning and buying local and national media (digital and traditional).
• Proven ability to develop and manage paid media plans that meet or exceed business objectives.
• Influential and persuasive communicator with strong interpersonal skills; exceptional ability to grow and foster internal/external relationships.
• Strong presentation/story‑telling and impeccable written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and understand each client’s business; act as an extension of the client with knowledge of issues that could influence media decisions.
• Display a natural curiosity as a “student of the industry” with a desire to learn and teach, applying knowledge for ongoing betterment of client media plans.
• Ability to lead and develop a high‑performing team, with a track record of employee growth and development.
• Passion for a purpose‑driven, team‑oriented, client‑first, cross‑functional culture.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving with creative solutions yielding positive outcomes.
• Ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision to direct and maximize the team where responsibilities are well defined and managed.
• Expert synthesizer of detail and information for client, peer, and management consumption.
• Exhibits sound business judgment to navigate everyday client and team challenges, commanding authority and respect.

Employees can be expected to be paid an annualized salary range of $97,000–$125,000, based on variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions.

Rise and Quad are proud to be equal‑opportunity employers. We are committed to creating a place of belonging — a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace. Rise and Quad do not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Rise and Quad also prohibit harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.