Director, Media Strategy (Remote)

Monks • Chicago, IL

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Media Strategy department is the strategic heart of Monks' media offering: a unified team bringing together deep expertise in media strategy, media planning, and account management. We build integrated, full-funnel media strategies that connect brand storytelling to measurable business outcomes, powered by AI-enabled workflows and analytical rigor. The Director, Media Strategy is the senior craft lead for media strategy and planning on one or more of Monks' most valuable accounts: accountable for the quality, rigor and ambition of the strategic product. This requires: Deep expertise in audience-led, insight-driven media strategy and planning Fearless ability to tell data-driven stories and extract key insights for senior-level clients Full-funnel command of the media landscape across Social, Search, Programmatic/Digital Investment, Holistic Video, OOH, and Direct Partnerships. An exceptional track record of connecting media strategy to measurable business outcomes Experience managing and stewarding career growth for mid-level direct reports (Associate Director and Sr Manager levels)

Requirements

• 9+ years of industry experience focused on media strategy, planning and digital media.
• B2B experience required.
• Mastery of traditional, digital and social media planning, buying and measurement.
• Fluent in data and AI-enabled tools, with the analytical rigor to separate signal from noise.
• Experienced with syndicated planning and insight tools (e.g., Comscore, GWI, MRI-Simmons, Nielsen) to build audience-driven plans.
• Ability to craft compelling, data-driven narratives for senior client audiences.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams in a high-pressure, high-volume environment.
• Not afraid to defect from the status quo in order to make our clients and company more successful.
• BA or equivalent with emphasis on marketing, advertising, or business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of go-to-market strategies and integrated, full-funnel media plans informed by rich consumer and industry insights, with a laser focus on connecting strategy to outcomes.
• Set the standard for strategic deliverables: annual planning, campaign strategy, audience frameworks, budget scenarios and measurement approaches.
• Apply AI-enabled tools across insight generation, plan development and reporting, and define where they accelerate the work versus where human strategy adds the most value.
• Analyze data, craft insights and make recommendations internally and externally at an executive-ready level.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the client's business, including strategic priorities, historical performance, competitive threats and opportunities.
• Serve as the senior media strategy voice in client meetings, briefings and planning presentations, partnering closely with the Client Strategy Lead.
• Partner with Activation, Investment and Data & Measurement teams to ensure strategies carry through to executional and performance excellence.
• Build relationships with top platform partners to stay current on offerings and maximize media value for clients.
• Lead and manage Associate Directors and Sr Managers, with oversight of planning output across the account team.
• Develop process improvements, planning frameworks and best practices that raise the department's strategic product.
• Set the team up for success through clear goals, training opportunities and regular constructive feedback.

Benefits

• Excellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and 15 company-wide holidays
• 401k with company contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Work-life balance with an emphasis on personal well-being
• Career growth in a disruptor space & entrepreneurial opportunities within the Monks network
• A globally diverse & inclusive culture with employee resource groups such as S4 Melanin, Pride.Monks, Cultura.Monks, and more!
• Authentic commitment to DEI efforts and sustainable growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior