Associate Director, Global Media

About the role

Starcom, a standalone media agency, is hiring an Associate Director, Global Media in Chicago. The role supports the development and activation of global paid media strategy, investment approaches and partner relationships for a global client team. Working closely with senior global media leadership, the Associate Director translates global priorities into practical guidance for regional and local teams, coordinates cross-market initiatives and manages key workstreams and team members.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain strong knowledge of the global media landscape, regional industry developments and the brand's business across priority markets.
• Develop global media recommendations that connect brand objectives with regional priorities and local market considerations.
• Manage global media workstreams from briefing through delivery, coordinating inputs, timelines and follow-up across global, regional and local teams.
• Contribute to the team's innovation and thought leadership agenda by identifying marketplace developments and emerging capabilities.
• Use analytics reporting and insights to find cross-market learnings and turn them into actionable recommendations for campaigns and partner discussions.
• Support global joint business partnerships, including preparation, coordination, documentation and follow-through with internal and external stakeholders.
• Build relationships with key markets across Publicis' global media network and partner with CRM and owned media leads on connected media planning and activation.
• Manage and mentor team members, giving clear direction, feedback and development support.
• Support new business and organic growth by contributing research, strategic thinking and presentation materials for global or multi-market opportunities.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in marketing, advertising, communications or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in media planning and/or strategy with progressive responsibility, including global or multi-market paid media work.
• 2+ years of experience managing or formally mentoring team members and coordinating work across global, regional and local agency structures.
• Agency experience preferred, especially in a large, integrated or multi-agency environment.
• Experience contributing to pitches and growth opportunities, including strategic recommendations and presentation materials.

Required skills

• Experience across multiple media channels such as national, local, digital, direct, programmatic and social, with a strong understanding of major media partners and platform capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, organizational, interpersonal and analytical skills, able to work across cultures and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to translate data and insights into clear, actionable takeaways for clients and internal teams.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills, able to guide teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

What we offer

• Paid family care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more, and monetary assistance for adoption, surrogacy, fertility and pet adoption.
• Employee assistance programs and health/wellness reimbursement.
• Tuition assistance and flexible working arrangements, including a 'Work Your World' program allowing work from anywhere.
• Matching gifts programs and business resource groups.
• Salary range of USD 106,780 to USD 153,405 per year.