Manager, Media Planning & Strategy

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:

We believe that real media impact comes from having a holistic understanding of consumers, culture, channels, content and commerce. Deciphering present day trends and historical performance from these interconnected and interdependent fields begins to represent our journey towards lasting growth for our clients. 

As such, we are looking for a Senior Manager, Integrated Media Strategy & Planning who shares this approach and wants to join a talented team of growth marketers. This role is equal parts research and insight development as well as a strategic client partner. This person will join us as a key member of our strategy team; working alongside the directors to provide robust data-based strategies to our clients while also helping to guide larger cross-functional teams on campaign planning and ongoing optimizations. 

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor for internal cross-functional team members and external partners and become a steward of integrated planning and strategy core practices and solutions, with a particular focus on transforming the way consumers engage and shop across retail marketplaces and direct-to-consumer (D2C) environments. 

DEPT is a remote-first organization. For this role, we’re looking for someone located in the Pacific or Mountain time zone to align with team and client schedules.

You'll be responsible for:

Planning

• Developing integrated media plans across D2C and retail marketplace business models, including tactic-level plans and investment scenarios, grounded in strategy, methodology benchmarks, and thoughtful assumptions.
• Translating research insights into actionable media plans by synthesizing inputs from tools such as GWI, eMarketer, Pathmatics, Similarweb, and client or platform data (Meta, Google, Amazon, The Trade Desk, etc.).
• Building full-funnel, channel-agnostic media plans using both CPC- and CPM-based investment frameworks. 
• Developing audience-first communication plans, including budget allocation, KPI frameworks, channel selection, and partner recommendations.
• Aligning campaign planning with product launch calendars, retail media opportunities, and promotional moments across key U.S. retailers.
• Applying a strong working knowledge of Amazon Ads (search, DSP, display) to support retail and performance-focused planning efforts. Familiarity with Best Buy Ads, Walmart Connect, and Target Roundel is highly valuable, with the ability to adapt plans to evolving retail media capabilities and brand footprints.
• Maintaining awareness of global retail and go-to-market considerations to inform planning for international expansion and multi-market execution.

Collaboration 

• Serving as a dependable thought partner to strategy leads, helping to operationalize strategic planning frameworks and guide planning through to activation.
• Working closely with cross-functional team members both externally and internally across Client Services, Media Activation, Data Science, and Creative to deliver connected plans and ensure seamless campaign execution, including tracking plan vs. actuals.
• Navigating complexity across platforms, stakeholders, and business models, and translating that complexity into clear, actionable plans.
• Presenting and articulating planning recommendations clearly to both internal and external stakeholders with confidence.
• Boosting morale and contributing to an inclusive, supportive team culture by being a positive example in group problem solving and growing careers of junior team members.
• Sharing platform trends, retail innovations, and media shifts with the team to inspire fresh thinking and continuous improvement.

You'll need to have:

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in media planning and strategy, with an emphasis on digital media buying both on and off retail environments.
• 2+ years experience using planning and research tools such as GWI, Pathmatics, Comscore, eMarketer, and platform-native dashboards.
• 2+ years of client facing and team management experience.
• Strong familiarity with Amazon’s retail media solutions; knowledge of Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and other retail platforms is a strong plus.
• Proven experience planning across both CPC and CPM channels, with a clear understanding of brand and performance media and how they work together.
• Strong understanding of audience segmentation, full-funnel planning, and measurement frameworks.
• Ability to clearly and concisely articulate a persuasive point of view, both written and verbal, presenting to project stakeholders.
• A curious and creative mindset, while also rigorous and analytical.
• Energized by the evolving intersection of media, retail, technology, and consumer behavior.
• Strong collaboration, client relationship building, and leadership skills.
• Experience navigating cross-functional teams and dynamic organizational environments.

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: 

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle, or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step. 

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. 

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT®

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

Role Ref Number: 7885

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