Associate Director, Media Planning & Strategy

About Us:

Empower Media is one of the largest independent media agencies dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, data-driven media strategies that drive business outcomes for our clients. We specialize in integrated media planning, omnichannel activation, and innovation across traditional and digital platforms. We are looking for a strategic and dynamic leader to join our team and help shape the future of media strategy for our clients.

Position Overview:

The Associate Director, Media Strategy brings Creative Media to life by designing, presenting and overseeing our agency’s client output from the Activation Department (media planners/buyers, influencer marketing experts, and social media). Working “full stream” (up and down), the Associate Director is an always-on role that is part of all-important client activity. They collaborate with a core team that also includes Client Leadership, Analytics, Creative, and Strategy. The Associate Director is responsible for bringing holistic, innovative, and creative thinking to our work.

Responsibilities:

• Co- develop brief with Client Leadership and Strategy, kicking off and leading Activation team to write data-driven, innovative, and creative media recommendations
• Partner with Analytics Lead for plan framework and measurement approach
• Present recommendations to clients, including senior clients
• Lead internal teams through activation of approved recommendations through close partnership with internal Operations team
• Actively engage in optimizations, testing, and key reporting initiatives
• Build and maintain client flowcharts
• Merchandise the agency through quality assurance and enthusiasm for our work
• Author cross-channel POVs for clients and for the agency
• Travel up to 20%

Requirements:

• 5-6 years agency experience in media or planning role
• Unwavering client and team strength, with natural ability to build widely felt trust and rapport
• Tireless and impeccable communication with internal and external teams, driving for big picture comprehension and clarity of roles and tasks across all team members
• Excellent listening and critical thinking skills to understand diverging opinions and ideas from SMEs, ultimately making the right call for a client
• Consumer empathy that translates into highly engaging and high performing work when deployed in market
• Proven ability to spot the need to pull in other team members for help and for depth, with the humility to act on it and share the spotlight appropriately
• Ability to inspire, deliver, nurture, and celebrate innovation and creativity
• Celebrating success widely and giving needed feedback to individuals directly, diplomatically, and decisively

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work with high-profile brands and innovative clients.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial environment that values strategic thinking.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid work arrangement to support work-life balance—Tues-Thurs in Chicago office.

Join us in shaping the future of media strategy! Apply today to be part of our dynamic team.