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Critical Mass

Associate Media Director, Network TV

Critical Mass, Chicago, IL


As the Associate Media Director, Network TV you'll help drive the strategic use of media to impact a client's business performance. In this role you'll be responsible for working alongside the Media Director, developing a strategic vision, and assisting your team through the execution and management of that plan. You're responsible for audience insights, campaign vision/strategy, client relationships, cross discipline integration, and performance. 

You will:

  • Work with Network TV Director, account leads, planning leads, and marketing science counterparts to establish attainable media objectives for local campaigns
  • Ensure delivery against key milestones, build and manage timelines for local buys, negotiation, live dates, and reporting
  • Train and assist in the development of AMP, Planner, Sr Planner and Supervisor media skills and growth
  • Manage AMP, Planner, Sr Planner, and Supervisor work output and volume
  • Work as the planning team contact for day-to-day questions and developing appropriate courses of action
  • Explore inventory options and innovative alternatives and develop media solutions, demonstrating strategic thinking, creativity, and solid decision-making
  • Oversee partner relationships and buy delivery, ensuring strong level of accuracy
  • Accurately manage investments and SOX compliant purchase authorization process
  • Compile and interpret media research for use in media plan development
  • Present media plans and recommendations internally and to clients
  • Maintain responsive working relationships with internal media planners, account/PM teams, creative teams, and other media contacts
  • Stay apprised of new opportunities by meeting with media/vendor representatives on an ongoing basis; Formulate POVs
  • Maintain knowledge of current media industry issues and trends
  • Help in the development of competitive analysis in order to gain knowledge of the competitive marketplace

You have:

  • Bachelor's degree, preferably with a concentration in advertising, marketing, communications or related field
  • 6+ years of media activation and buying experience with Network TV and maintaining strong relationships in the space
  • At least three years management experience required
  • Proven analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills
  • Proven media buying and negotiation skills
  • Clear understanding of the media planning, buying, and reporting process
  • Digital and unwired experience is a plus
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Proficient in proprietary analytics and syndicated research tools

The Talent Team at Critical Mass is focused on ensuring we provide the best training, mentorship, and employee experience possible! CM new hires & employees are the future of our organization, and we want to set you up for long-term success. In an effort to do so, we expect our team to work from an office a minimum of 4 days per week.

The ask stems from our want to:

  • Strengthen opportunity for continuous learning
  • Improve collaboration and team relationships
  • Increase employee engagement

We understand that not everyone may feel comfortable with this expectation, so we ask that you please let us know immediately if there are any concerns so we can help navigate accordingly.

Critical Mass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. If you are an individual with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please reach out to.

We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our pool of candidates, with a target of achieving at least 50% representation from underrepresented communities.

The Critical Mass Talent Acquisition team will only communicate from email addresses that use the URLs criticalmass and. We will not use apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Google Hangouts for communicating with you. We will never ask you to send us money, technology, or anything else to work for our company. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please review your local government consumer protections guidance and reach out to them directly.