Media & Account Strategist

Allied Global Marketing•Chicago, IL

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Allied Global Marketing is seeking a Media & Account Strategist for its Chicago team. This hybrid role combines client account management and marketing strategy with hands-on traditional media planning and buying for entertainment, lifestyle, attractions, hospitality, and location-based clients. The role leads day-to-day relationships for assigned accounts, develops strategic recommendations, and executes campaigns across television, radio, out-of-home, print, and other relevant channels. Working closely with the VP, Client Solutions and internal teams, the strategist translates client business objectives into actionable marketing and media plans, leads client and internal communications, and ensures effective campaign execution. The role balances client leadership, strategic thinking, organization, and hands-on media execution, including management of account timelines, budgets, reporting, media schedules, campaign delivery, billing, and reconciliation. The position is hybrid and offers an annual salary of $55,000. It is eligible for the standard benefits offered to full-time employees.

Requirements

3 to 5 years of relevant experience in traditional media planning and buying, account management, or integrated marketing; agency experience is preferred.
Demonstrated hands-on experience planning, negotiating, buying, and executing traditional media campaigns.
Required hands-on experience with STRATA/FreeWheel and STraffic, with the ability to work independently in these platforms for planning, buying, trafficking, billing, and reconciliation.
Professional experience and proficiency with Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, and Calendar.
Experience using Google Maps for location and market research, geographic coverage, proximity analysis, and media recommendations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting and filtering, pivot tables, and lookup functions.
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote for client presentations, proposals, and media recommendations.
Experience managing client relationships, leading client communications, presenting recommendations, and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong working knowledge of media budgets, campaign schedules, billing, reconciliation, and related financial processes.
Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Strong understanding of traditional media planning and buying, including television, radio, out-of-home, and print.
Ability to negotiate media rates, placements, sponsorships, and added-value opportunities.
Strong client relationship management skills and ability to independently lead day-to-day account activity.
Strategic thinking and understanding of how traditional media, digital media, and other channels work together in integrated campaigns.
Familiarity with media research and audience measurement tools such as Nielsen and Scarborough.
Ability to analyze campaign performance, identify trends, and communicate actionable recommendations.
Strong spreadsheet skills for media planning, budget management, campaign tracking, and expense reconciliation.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, organization, attention to detail, project management, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple accounts, budgets, deadlines, and priorities, collaborate across teams, and work independently.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with entertainment, attractions, hospitality, lifestyle, arts and culture, or other location-based businesses.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day lead for assigned client accounts, build relationships, manage expectations, and follow through on priorities and deliverables.
Independently manage assigned accounts and support the VP, Client Solutions on larger or more complex relationships and initiatives.
Lead client and internal meetings, manage communications, coordinate deliverables, and clarify ownership of next steps.
Oversee account timelines, budgets, reporting, and operations; identify challenges and recommend solutions.
Understand client objectives, audiences, markets, and priorities to develop strategic recommendations and identify opportunities.
Collaborate with media, creative, PR, promotions, digital, and other internal teams to align campaigns with client goals and broader marketing efforts.
Prepare and present client updates, campaign results, and recommendations, translating performance and market insights into actionable next steps.
Coordinate account billing, budget tracking, and operational needs with internal teams.
Maintain accurate account documentation, timelines, budgets, and communications across multiple client relationships.
Research, develop, recommend, and execute traditional media plans aligned with client objectives, audiences, markets, and budgets.
Plan and buy television, radio, out-of-home, print, and other traditional media placements for assigned accounts.
Evaluate media proposals, audience data, competitive research, geographic considerations, and market insights to inform recommendations.
Negotiate rates, placements, sponsorships, and added-value opportunities with media partners to maximize client investment.
Build and maintain relationships with media vendors, station representatives, outdoor companies, publishers, and local market partners.
Oversee media schedules, campaign delivery, optimizations, makegoods, and post-buy analysis.
Present media plans, buying rationale, performance results, and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders.
Maintain accurate media budgets, flowcharts, schedules, buying documentation, and campaign records.
Coordinate billing, reconciliation, invoice review, and campaign financial management with internal teams.
Use geographic and market research to assess placement opportunities, audience reach, proximity to client locations, and local market dynamics.