Director, Media Planning & Buying

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

1d•$122,000 - $214,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic, experienced search marketing leader to oversee Nationwide's SEO function while also leading our Paid Search and in-house Programmatic teams. This role requires deep expertise in SEO, strong cross-channel fluency, and the leadership presence to guide internal teams, agency partners, and senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on SEO experience and a strong understanding of how organic search supports broader marketing and business objectives. They should be able to set strategy, identify growth opportunities, translate insights into action, and lead SEO as a high-impact discipline across the organization. They should also bring experience helping organizations adapt to the rapidly changing search and content landscape shaped by AI, including evolving consumer behavior, search experiences, and content strategy implications. Additional experience in both B2B and B2C environments is highly preferred, as this role will benefit from a leader who understands how search strategies differ across audiences, buying cycles, and business models. Exposure to, or direct expertise in, paid search and programmatic media buying is also strongly preferred. This role will lead with credibility across performance media channels and understand how SEO, paid search, and programmatic work together to drive results. As a Director of Media Planning & Buying, you'll lead Nationwide’s internal media buying team. You'll be responsible for the media strategy, activation and optimization of Nationwide’s advertising investment. We'll count on you to produce coordinated media plans, based on data, that deliver business impact for the enterprise.

Requirements

Deep SEO expertise, including strategy development, execution, and performance optimization
Strong working knowledge of paid search and programmatic media, with the ability to lead across connected performance channels
Experience operating in complex, matrixed organizations and partnering effectively across teams
Strong people leadership skills, including the ability to coach, develop, and align both direct reports and agency partners
Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
Confidence presenting to senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
Executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to lead with credibility and authority
Undergraduate degree in a quantitative field, e.g., business, finance, communication, etc. preferred; Graduate degree in closely-related field preferred.
Typically, ten or more years demonstrated experience in digital media.
Extensive experience in digital media buying, with a focus on addressable display, video, social, search and mobile campaign management preferred.
Experience managing and mentoring associates in a rapid growth environment, and deep experience in the demand side platform (DSP) and exchange-based media buying industry preferred.
Sophisticated knowledge of the principles of digital media development and execution, and the programmatic media supply chain.
Extensive knowledge of current practices in leading programmatic and social campaigns.
Ability to train, lead and mentor associates in all aspects of media buying and planning.
Proven understanding and skills with digital media tools, including demand side platforms, ad servers and web analytics tools.
Persuasive communication and presentation skills.
Ability to understand and relate market information to leadership levels.
Advanced marketing and promotional skills.
Ability to multi-task.
Critical thinking and listening skills.
Strong analytical skills with fact-based approach to solving business problems.
Ability to lead and prioritize projects.
Ability to function independently or on a team.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience in both B2C and B2B environments is highly preferred
Exposure to, or direct expertise in, paid search and programmatic media buying is also strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Head up the SEO function
Lead the Paid Search team, including one associate
Lead the in-house Programmatic team, including three team members
Manage the external agency partner that serves as an embedded extension of the team and is closely integrated into the organization
Leads all aspects of scalable campaign execution operation and procedures.
Leads team processes, guides the team on specific campaign actions, develops partner relationships and ensures key performance indicators are met.
Works directly with tech partners, media publishers, advertising agencies and internal partners to design, build and optimize marketing media buys.
Supports and elevates Nationwide’s online presence and engagement across digital platforms.
Closely collaborate with internal partners, advertising agencies, tech companies, media publishers and data providers to drive high impact media campaigns.
Represents media team internally working closely with other Marketing areas.
Leads the company’s external media agencies across coordinated planning, activation and analytics teams.
Researches and builds partnerships with new media publishers, data partners, and technology companies that would improve the capabilities, efficiency and effectiveness of the enterprise Media team.
Administers associate management, including performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions.
Continually scouts for strong talent; building a potential pipe line of talent.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire