Media Strategist

Denver, CO or Carbondale, CO. This role requires in-person work from our office 2+ days/week, with remote flexibility the rest of the week.

Media Strategist
At Backbone, we live by the belief that passion drives results. For nearly thirty years, we’ve partnered with the brands that get people outside and we’ve built a team that actually uses what our clients make. If you’re a sharp, curious media thinker who wants to do great work for brands you believe in, keep reading.

The Job
The Media Strategist owns the full media strategy cycle: planning, execution, and analysis for a portfolio of assigned accounts. You’ll be the strategic lead for clients, the connective tissue between client goals and Backbone’s channel specialists in search, social, and programmatic. For larger accounts, you’ll contribute your strategic thinking as part of a team led by a Senior Strategist or Director.

This isn’t a role where you inherit a playbook and run it on repeat. At Backbone, we expect our strategists to be thought leaders: creating and leading strategy, developing genuine client relationships, and pushing their accounts forward.

The Work

Own integrated media strategy for assigned accounts managing budgets of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually

Develop, present, and execute media plans across paid social, paid search, and programmatic channels

Serve as the day‑to‑day client lead, managing relationships, communication, timelines, and budgets

Translate client goals into channel‑level strategic direction for Backbone’s search, social, and programmatic teams

Oversee holistic account and channel performance, guiding teams on tactical next steps to achieve overarching account objectives

Analyze campaign performance and recommend tactical changes to maximize results

Manage buy stewardship and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date media plans

Contribute strategic thinking on larger client teams under the guidance of a Senior Strategist or Director

Informally mentor junior team members on strategy and implementation

The Essentials

Bachelor’s degree

2 to 5 years of professional experience in paid media strategy or planning

Your Capabilities

Experience developing, implementing, and measuring paid media plans across a full yearly cycle

Hands‑on experience in platforms like Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager, The Trade Desk, Feedonomics, Google Analytics, or similar

Understanding of how paid social, search, and programmatic channels work together and how to brief specialists effectively

Sharp analytical mindset, with the ability to evaluate performance and optimize budget allocation accordingly

Strong written and verbal communication with clients, vendors, and internal teams

Detail‑oriented with strong project management and time management habits

Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint

The Extra Mile

Familiarity with traditional media channels (OOH, print, TV)

A pulse on paid media best practices, trends, and industry happenings

Experience with Amazon Marketing Services or Amazon DSP

Basic understanding of SEO, PR, community management, or affiliate marketing

A genuine passion for the outdoors and the brands that serve that community

A sense of humor

Salary
$60,000 to $70,000 annually, plus benefits including health, dental, vision, and 401(k).

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