Senior Media Strategist & Buyer

Delavan Holdings•Delavan, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Anchor a media team being built from scratch — own strategy, buying, and performance across traditional and digital channels. Delavan Holdings is a diversified holding company with interests spanning automotive retail, RV dealerships, hospitality, and lifestyle brands across Wisconsin and the greater Midwest. Our portfolio includes Kunes Auto Group, Kunes RV, Lake Lawn Resort, and Camp Timber-Lee. We are building an in-house advertising agency and are looking for a senior media professional to anchor it — someone with genuine fluency across traditional and digital channels, hands-on DSP experience, and the strategic instincts to translate business goals into media plans that perform.

Requirements

7–12 years of media strategy and buying experience with a track record across both traditional and digital channels
Hands-on DSP platform experience — you have planned, executed, and optimized within at least one major DSP (The Trade Desk, DV360, Simpli.fi, StackAdapt, Basis, or equivalent)
Strong command of Google Ads Manager and Meta Business Manager; certification in either is a plus
Demonstrated ability to negotiate traditional media buys and manage the full buy lifecycle from insertion order to invoice reconciliation
Experience managing multi-client or multi-vertical campaigns simultaneously without losing detail or accountability
Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for budget modeling, scenario planning, and reconciliation
Familiarity with third-party data tools — SRDS, Comscore, Nielsen, MRI-Simmons, or Scarborough
Experience with automotive OEM co-op advertising structures is a meaningful differentiator
Excellent communication skills — able to present strategy and performance to senior stakeholders without drowning them in jargon

Nice To Haves

You have worked in a multi-client or multi-brand environment and know how to shift context without losing precision
You are as comfortable in a spreadsheet modeling a budget as you are on a call negotiating with a TV rep or inside a DSP building an audience segment
You bring genuine respect to collaborating with a traditional media veteran — you bridge, not replace
You understand that direct mail is not a relic — it is the right tool in the right vertical, and you know when to reach for it
You want to build something — not a seat at a fully-formed table, but a role in designing the table and running it
You are comfortable with AI-assisted research, data interpretation, and workflow support as part of a modern media operation

Responsibilities

Research markets and audiences using third-party data tools (SRDS, Comscore, Nielsen, MRI-Simmons, Scarborough) and translate findings into channel strategy, budget recommendations, and media plans with clear KPIs
Build and own comprehensive media plans across all active verticals — channel mix, flighting, reach and frequency targets, and post-campaign analysis tied to business objectives
Negotiate and execute traditional media buys across broadcast TV, cable, radio, out-of-home, print, and direct mail; manage insertion orders, vendor relationships, makegoods, and invoice reconciliation
Own and operate DSP seats directly — plan, execute, optimize, and report on programmatic display, video, OTT/CTV, and streaming audio campaigns
Manage paid search (Google Ads, Microsoft/Bing) and paid social (Meta, YouTube, TikTok) in coordination with agency partners; provide strategic oversight and performance QA
Evaluate, recommend, and help establish direct DSP relationships as agency spend scales — including Simpli.fi and StackAdapt near-term, The Trade Desk longer-term
Implement and audit tracking across all digital campaigns — pixels, UTM parameters, conversion events, and attribution models
Review vendor proposals, rate cards, and media kits with a critical eye; provide buy/no-buy recommendations and negotiate with confidence
Contribute to agency infrastructure — planning templates, buying workflows, vendor evaluation frameworks, and reporting standards
Collaborate with vertical-specific marketing managers and external agency partners to ensure media and creative are working together.