Associate Director

WE HAVE CREATED A WORLD WHERE ART AND SCIENCE ARE BEST FRIENDS

Known is what happens when a data science firm and a creative agency stop arguing and start collaborating. We were built from scratch with PhD data scientists and award-winning creatives working on the same briefs, from day one. That structure earned us an Ad Age #3 A-List ranking, back-to-back Data & Insights Agency of the Year wins, plus Emmys, Cannes Lions, Clios, and Effies across clients in finance, tech, entertainment, consumer goods, and real estate. We're distributed across the U.S. and unapologetically ambitious.

If you're tired of choosing between doing smart work and doing creative work, you'll fit right in here.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU

About the role:

Known’s Media Science team uses advanced analytics, machine learning, statistics, and algorithms to plan and optimize advertising dollars. We partner with our clients to translate their business goals into meaningful metrics, and buy media across all channels to drive those target outcomes.  

The Associate Director, Media Strategy will lead media strategy for a major food & beverage retailer, working full-time and fully dedicated to this single flagship account. You will guide strategy across both pulsed, promotionally-driven campaigns and the annual media plan while leading and developing a team of media strategists — overseeing a high-volume, always-on campaign portfolio delivered through two manager-led pods — in close partnership with channel lead counterparts. This position reports to the Sr. Director, Media Strategy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Media Strategy
• Develop cross-channel strategy & planning for media campaigns, as well as coordinating the inputs for buying
• Writing client briefs & translate them into insights-led media strategy
• Lead cross-channel planning in partnership with channel and buyer science teams, translating audience and research insights into actionable media plans
• Remain fully embedded in all aspects of the campaign including the planning process, through campaign execution and measurement
• Serve as a thought leader on the account — providing proactive POVs and recommendations, and co-leading a monthly training series for the client
• Team Leadership
• Lead and develop a team of media strategy planners (two managers, each supporting a senior specialist); help field, plan, and navigate the execution of pulsed and annual campaigns
• Balance workload and resourcing across two manager-led pods, keeping capacity aligned to campaign demand
• Coach and mentor direct reports, managing prioritization and professional development across the team
• Set quality standards and review team output to ensure accuracy and consistency across deliverables
• Client Relations
• Serving as the primary day-to-day media contact for key clients 
• Lead & manage assigned aspects of client relationships
• Partner with clients to understand their business goals, marketing objectives and competitive constraints for the purpose of leading agency media planning outputs
• Account Management
• Work and collaborate on co-deliverables with our client’s internal media strategy and planning team for cohesive, integrated strategies and plans
• Foster collaboration between teams; work with partner agencies to integrate messaging & creative campaigns into overall media campaigns
• Oversee cross-channel budget management (e.g. flowcharts, budget trackers) workstreams with client and internal stakeholders
• Work closely with channel team leads on the account to ensure deliverables are met on time and to a high quality standard
• Own campaign timelines and deliverables with Media Operations at the portfolio level, ensuring launches, pacing, and reporting meet client expectations
• Provide operational oversight and stewardship of the team's internal planning, trafficking, and asset-management tools
• Campaign Execution
• Align measurement framework to client business objectives, ensuring strategy is followed through to execution
• Coordinate with buyer scientist and channel teams to map strategy with activation
• Ensure measurement plan is executed to client expectations
• Serve as the primary escalation point and client communicator when issues arise across the campaign portfolio

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE

• 8+ years of client-facing media planning experience with a track record of driving results
• In-depth knowledge of the media landscape, consumer behavior and media consumption trends
• Cross-channel understanding of the media plan ecosystem and lifecycle from strategy to reporting
• Curious mindset with strong critical thinking skills needed to solve diverse business challenges 
• Experience in a client-facing environment leading relationships with a commitment to excellence
• Superb communication and presentation skills translating client challenges to campaign solutions
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment (internally & externally)
• Desire to be a hands-on multi-tasker that thrives in a fast-paced environment
• A data-driven approach, leveraging insights to develop strategy and define measurement 
• Previous agency experience handling retail, food & beverage or consumer goods preferred
• 3+ years directly managing and developing media planners or direct reports
• Knowledge and experience of Prisma and Lumina preferred
• Experience using SharePoint (Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Slides, Docs) highly preferred
• Strong organizational skills — able to manage timelines, specs, POs, and flowcharts
• Familiarity with retail media networks and shopper marketing a plus

SOME OF OUR PERKS

• Unlimited paid time off
• 401k with company matching and no vesting period
• Annual bonuses
• Generous medical plan
• Paid parental leave

ONE LAST THING TO ASK YOURSELF

All this might sound great, but you’re probably still wondering, “Would I be a good fit for Known?” or “Would Known be a good fit for me?” Our culture is propped up by four values that we aspire to every day: We are one team. We see the good. We never stop learning. There’s always a better way. At Known we are setting out to build something more than just a company. We are building a legacy filled with exceptionally talented people with a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and origin stories who feel encouraged and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to partner with us in molding and shaping our culture through our values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or locally protected class.

The base salary for this position is $120K-$130K.

This range is posted in compliance with state and municipal Pay Transparency laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to receive additional Known benefits.

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