Media Strategist (Paid Search/Paid Social/Programmatic)

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we are looking for:

As the performance marketing center of excellence within VML, our goal is create and execute media strategies that are accountable to a defined outcome. We are different than other agencies that take a channel-first approach. Instead, we develop strategies with an objective-first mindset – becoming true partners with our clients in understanding the business, competitive landscape, and ultimately, their goals and objectives. We also define audiences based on these objectives, which are then activated in channels across the paid, owned and earned landscape.

Our team holds three key principles at our core:

Media plans built to flex

Insightful audiences

Boldly accountable to results

To help us succeed, VML is seeking a Media Strategist to deliver media campaigns from start to finish for our clients. This capability is responsible for operationalizing digital media strategies within specific media platforms. A Channel Media Strategist is responsible for advising account setups that play a role in meeting the objective of our clients. Responsible for creating and maintaining digital campaigns across a single or multiple channels (Search, Social, Display, Video, Native & More). This role is dedicated to identified client accounts to fulfill strategic media setups and operations within the VML standards of digital media.

What you’ll do:

Understand client industry, business offering and related products/services/brands

Feed channel insights to media plan and media strategy

Deep understanding of how to activate in specific channel(s)

Define channel segmentation within platforms in order to achieve the objectives that is set out by the media plan

Development of Trafficking briefs from an existing media plan /strategy

Campaign check ins and ensure that all required campaigns are live/paused/ended

Digital platform spend and performance pacing management

Develop Platform Trafficking Sheet development from Requirements Brief

Upload/edit digital campaigns within Digital Media Platforms (Facebook Business Manager, DV360, Google Ads, SA360, Bing ads, LinkedIn & More)

Utilize and understand large data-dumps to upload/change/ create campaigns through bulk processes

Navigate through all digital platforms required to service a client

Identify in-platform optimization needs and implement changes to level set performance

Keep log of changes through optimization entries

Integrate paid media capability across other service lines: SEO, Development, Reporting, Client Services and Strategy

Additional essential job duties:

Understanding a client's business, industry and related products/brands/services

Understand integration between Paid Media and other departments - Analytics, SEO/Content, Strategy, Accounts, Tech and Project Managements

Approve Media invoices against media platform spends

Explore operations in additional channels and continue development of digital media knowledge

Provide Insight to operational changes in platform

Navigate through all channels required to service a client

Follow instructions from the Meda Account lead to deliver on a campaign

Implement best practices within digital media channel operations

Who you are:

A builder Entrepreneurial attitude couple with a strong business acumen. Ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal people and create gravity around ideas.

Open and collaborative Our team is close-knit and supportive and we’re working with a lot of unknowns – you must champion of team environments that are comfortable and encouraging.

Optimistic and resilient Dig in and figure out how to work around problems. Yes and why not posture. Takes care of self and team. Balance needed to maintain stamina and positivity.

Ego-less We all wear the hats that need wearing, it’s a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you’ll need:

Minimum 3 Years Related Digital Work Experience

Minimum 2 years Media channel experience

Expert in media operations across Search, Paid Social and Display with an understanding of how offline media functions and can drive results

Experience in develop paid media plans that align to an overarching strategy

Ability to utilize data to inform audience segmentation

Understanding of how paid media is measured for success

Fluent in mathematical concepts with an ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas

Ability to conceptualize big-picture and long-term, be results-focused and think creatively for clients

Experience interacting with all levels of clients on behalf of an agency

Proven experience producing strong digital innovation and business results

Strong grasp of tools and platforms, including: SA360, DV360, Google Ads, Bing Ads, The Trade Desk (and various DSPs), Facebook Business Manager, Google Merchant Center, various analytics suites, etc.

What we offer:

Passionate, driven people We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Consciously cultivated culture We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.

Competitive benefits What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.

Growth-minded opportunities We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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