Group Director, Media Strategy

CourtAvenue • Chicago, IL

2d • $150,000 - $180,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Group Director, Media Strategy at Modifly is a senior leader and practitioner with deep, hands-on expertise across all major digital and traditional paid media channels. This role goes beyond execution: it is about connecting channels into a cohesive, business-driving ecosystem and shaping strategies that deliver measurable results for enterprise clients.
The ideal candidate is a high-EQ leader who thrives in the white space. They are the 'Cruising Duck': calm, confident, and commanding in front of Enterprise-level clients, while relentlessly 'paddling' behind the scenes to ensure execution is flawless. You possess the sophisticated strategic toolkit of a global holding company but prefer the speed, agility, and 'all-hands-on-deck' grit of an entrepreneurial environment. This is a role for a builder, not just a manager.
This leader is responsible for the health and growth of client accounts, developing high-impact strategies, and driving thought leadership both internally and externally. They will manage and mentor a team of Associate Directors and Managers, ensuring flawless execution while elevating the department’s capabilities.

Requirements

• 12+ years in paid media with demonstrated success in omnichannel campaign leadership (enterprise-level experience strongly preferred).
• 5+ years in people management, with a track record of scaling high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise across paid search, paid social, programmatic, video, retail/ecommerce media, and emerging platforms.
• Proven ability to connect performance data, creative assets, and media strategy into business-impact storytelling.
• Strong financial and strategic acumen: able to manage budgets, forecast impact, and translate numbers into client-ready insights.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills—able to simplify complexity and inspire confidence in senior stakeholders.
• Adept at managing multiple complex accounts and balancing hands-on detail with strategic oversight.
• Curious, adaptable, and passionate about continuous learning in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Proven track record of navigating resource-light environments; you know how to build a world-class output without a massive back-office support system.
• High level of professional maturity and emotional intelligence; able to manage up effectively to senior leadership while empowering those below you.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of media professionals; build an accountable, high-performing culture.
• Act as a trusted escalation point for strategy, client, or delivery challenges.
• Own staffing and resource planning across assigned accounts, aligning people, workload, and revenue goals.
• Champion cross-department collaboration, ensuring seamless integration between media, creative, analytics, and client service.
• Directly manage and mentor a team of media professionals, leading by example. More than overseeing the work; the Group Director is getting into the files, building the decks where necessary, and ensuring the story is airtight before it hits the client's desk.
• Drive select departmental initiatives that scale Modifly’s media practice and future-proof capabilities, working closely with Chief Strategy Officer.
• Architect omnichannel paid media strategies across search, social, programmatic, retail, video, display, and emerging platforms.
• Stay hands-on in guiding campaign structure, optimizations, and platform best practices to ensure strategies perform.
• Bridge media, data, and creative by partnering with analytics and creative teams to test, measure, and scale what works.
• Translate complex performance data into clear, compelling stories and actionable strategies for senior-level clients.
• Anticipate and adapt to industry shifts (e.g., privacy regulations, new platforms, AI-driven solutions) to keep clients and Modifly ahead.
• Develop thought leadership in performance creative effectiveness and its role in driving ROI.
• Serve as senior strategic advisor for enterprise clients, linking media strategy directly to business outcomes.
• Present strategies, results, and challenges with clarity and executive presence, building trust at the highest levels.
• Take the 'throws' in the room. Serve as the primary voice for strategy in high-stakes Enterprise environments, possessing the poise to navigate complex client dynamics and the technical depth to defend the work on the fly.
• Identify opportunities for scope expansion and incremental growth through audits, new service offerings, and innovation.
• Play a key role in new business pitches and organic growth opportunities.
• Maintain strong partner relationships to unlock client value and agency advantage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed