Associate Director, Activation

Kepler Group•New York, NY

5d•$117,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Associate Director, Activation leads a team of digital media professionals responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing performance-driven campaigns across multiple channels. The role combines hands-on media expertise with people leadership, strategic problem-solving, and client partnership. The Associate Director coaches and develops direct reports, guides campaign strategy and execution, and ensures campaigns deliver against client objectives. As a senior member of the Activation team, this person serves as a subject matter expert across digital media platforms, translates campaign data into actionable insights, and identifies opportunities to improve performance, processes, and ways of working. Kepler’s Activation team plans, executes, and optimizes campaigns across paid search, paid social, programmatic display and video, connected TV, audio, digital out-of-home, and emerging media channels. The team combines platform expertise, strategic thinking, and data-driven insights, partnering with clients, media partners, and internal stakeholders to develop full-funnel strategies and scalable solutions. Kepler describes its culture as transparent, growing, and fun, and highlights opportunities to shape the direction of the company. The role offers a base salary of $117,000–$130,000, a target annualized discretionary bonus of 5% ($5,850–$6,500), and target total cash compensation of $122,850–$136,500.

Requirements

5–8+ years of hands-on digital media experience, with deep expertise in performance marketing and campaign execution and optimization across multiple paid media channels, including paid search, paid social, and programmatic.
Demonstrated experience managing and developing at least 3 direct reports, including coaching, performance feedback, and ongoing professional development.
Strong working knowledge of major digital media platforms, campaign management tools, and analytics solutions, including the ability to troubleshoot performance challenges and guide optimization decisions.
Ability to translate campaign data and performance trends into actionable insights, strategic recommendations, and measurable business results.
Experience developing cross-channel media strategies and balancing campaign-level execution with broader client and business objectives.
Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to articulate recommendations and build credibility with clients, media partners, and internal stakeholders.
Creative and analytical problem-solving skills, including the ability to navigate complex challenges and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and mentor approximately 3–8 direct reports, supporting campaign strategy, execution, optimization, and professional development while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Apply hands-on expertise in performance media platforms and analytics tools across paid search, paid social, programmatic display and video, connected TV, and other digital channels; guide campaign execution and optimization as needed.
Oversee the development, launch, and ongoing optimization of digital media campaigns, aligning strategy and execution with client objectives, KPIs, and business outcomes.
Lead the development of data-driven media strategies and campaign structures that support full-funnel objectives and respond to client needs.
Serve as a subject matter expert and trusted resource for clients, media partners, and internal stakeholders, providing platform expertise, performance recommendations, and solutions to media challenges.
Partner with cross-functional teams to analyze campaign results, identify trends and opportunities, and communicate actionable recommendations that inform strategy and improve business outcomes.
Build relationships and collaborate with clients, platform partners, and internal teams to understand priorities, align on campaign goals, and improve media effectiveness.
Identify emerging platform capabilities, industry trends, performance opportunities, workflow automation, and ways to scale best practices.

Benefits

Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
Unlimited paid time off
401(k) contributions
$75 per month wellness stipend
$100 per month mobile phone stipend
$50 per month internet stipend
$500 annual learning stipend
$2,000 annual tuition stipend
One-time $200 new-hire home office equipment stipend
Parental leave: 16 weeks for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers
Annual work-from-anywhere period of 4 weeks per year
Target annualized discretionary bonus of 5%