Director, Paid Media Planning (All U.S. Offices)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking paid media professional to join Global Prairie as Director, Paid Media Planning. In this role, you will develop strategic, integrated paid media plans that connect client business objectives, audience insights, creative ideas and measurable outcomes.

The ideal candidate brings strong paid media planning experience across digital channels as well as endemic and trade media partners. You will translate client goals and audience insights into thoughtful channel strategies, investment recommendations and measurement approaches, while partnering closely with colleagues across Creative, Insight & Strategy, Client Partnership and Analytics.

This role is well suited for someone who is both strategic and hands-on: comfortable independently developing media recommendations, presenting a clear point of view to clients and collaborating with internal and external partners to bring plans to life. You will also help Global Prairie continue to evolve its paid media capabilities by identifying emerging opportunities, improving how we work and exploring how technologies such as AI can enhance media planning and performance.

What We’d Like To See

Global Prairie was built on purpose to help organizations deliver on theirs. Inspired by the belief that business should be a force for good in the world, Global Prairie re-invented the typical marketing agency model, embedding purpose into our business from day one. We operate at the intersection of marketing strategy, creativity and technology, delivering deep, innovative thinking – quickly. Because we don’t operate as a traditional agency in terms of process, structure or output, we look for team members with an entrepreneurial spirit who embrace innovation and are comfortable working with best-in-class leaders.

Everyone at Global Prairie shares the following characteristics:

• Collaborative
• Optimistic
• Resilient
• Flexible
• Curious
• Community-minded and philanthropic
• Ownership-minded

Strong candidates for this specific role will demonstrate:

• Strong experience developing strategic paid media plans across digital and traditional channels, including paid social, paid search, programmatic, and endemic media
• Experience planning media with endemic, industry-specific and trade media partners.
• A strong strategic point of view, with the ability to translate client business objectives and audience insights into clear channel, audience and investment recommendations
• A practical understanding of how paid media platforms operate and how planning decisions influence execution and performance.
• Confidence and credibility presenting media strategies and recommendations to both internal teams and client stakeholders
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work seamlessly with Creative, Insight & Strategy, Client Partnership and analytics partners
• The ability to move fluidly between multiple accounts and priorities while maintaining strategic clarity, attention to detail and high-quality output
• Success overseeing teams, elevating strategic thinking and bringing clarity to complex challenges.
• Curiosity, sound judgment and a willingness to test new approaches, learn from performance and continually improve the work.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to make complex media considerations understandable to clients and colleagues

Essential Functions And Qualifications

• Develops integrated, multi-channel paid media strategies and plans aligned to client business, marketing and communications objectives
• Recommends appropriate channels, audiences, investment levels, flighting and media partners based on client goals, research and available data and owns those recommendations with the client.
• Plans across a mix of digital media platforms, traditional channels and endemic or trade media environments.
• Provides clear strategic rationale for media recommendations and guide clients through planning decisions with confidence, serving as the main point of client contact when it comes to paid media strategy and execution.
• Presents media strategies, plans, performance insights, and optimization recommendations to internal teams and client stakeholders
• Partners closely with internal colleagues and external media partners to support accurate, effective implementation of approved plans
• Supports and helps guide the evolution of media planning processes, tools, and best practices within the agency, contributing ideas, templates and practices that strength Global Prairie’s paid media planning and execution capabilities.
• Uses campaign results, audience data and market developments to refine recommendations and inform future planning
• Stays current on changes in paid media platforms, capabilities, privacy considerations, audience behaviors and industry practices
• Explores practical applications of AI and automation within media research, planning analysis and workflow development.
• Provides coaching, feedback and subject-matter guidance to colleagues as appropriate
• Adapts plans and priorities as client needs evolve, maintaining agility without sacrificing strategic rigor

Additionally, the ideal candidate meets these qualifications:

• 7–10 years of media planning experience, preferably within an agency or another fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi-channel paid media strategies and translation them into actionable plans.
• Experience working directly within digital platforms and endemic, trade or industry-specific media partners
• Proven experience managing meaningful media investments and making informed budget allocation recommendations.
• Demonstrates curiosity and ideation around innovation in paid media, including practical applications of how AI can support the strategy and planning workflows
• Experience working in healthcare or other regulated industries is a plus

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The final agreed upon compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to: candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experiences and may fall outside the range shown. As a 'Best for the World' Benefit Corporation and Employee-Owned organization, Global Prairie offers a best-in-class total rewards package, which includes healthcare coverage, ESOP retirement plan, 401k matching, Health & Wellness stipends and a broad range of other benefits.

• Expected Compensation Range: $110,000 – $145,000

What Global Prairie Offers

We are a purpose-driven global marketing firm founded on the belief that business should be a force for good in the world.

Driving measurable, impactful results for organizations committed to making the world a better place is not simply the work Global Prairie does for its clients — it is the bedrock principle on which the company is built. As a Public Benefit Corporation, a top 1% certified B Corporation (B-Corp), and a 100% employee-owned company, we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

We are a team of smart, driven individuals who partner with our clients to create positive change.

Our shared commitment to making the world a better place unites us. In addition, we recognize and celebrate our individual strengths and contributions

Our culture is best-in-class.

With generous, industry-leading benefits, supportive and progressive employee programs, collaborative office environments, and top percentile compensation packages, the culture at Global Prairie is unparalleled. And, due to our proud status as a 100% employee-owned company, each member of the Global Prairie team stands to personally benefit from Global Prairie’s success.

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

The physical activity required of this position includes standing, walking, lifting, pulling, pushing, kneeling, reaching, stooping, talking, hearing and use of repetitive motion. Light work is required of this position, occasionally lifting or moving objects between 10-20 pounds. The visual acuity of this position requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle. This position will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Creativity, great ideas and lasting impact come from diverse teams. Global Prairie is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.