WHY DEPT®?

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world. 

This is a hybrid role with the expectation that you will need to go into the office 3 days week. You must be located within 50 miles of our Chicago, IL office located at: One South Wacker, 1 S Wacker Dr #2250, Chicago, IL 60606

ABOUT YOU:

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. You understand that there’s art & science to the craft, requiring creativity & rigor, all done with the goal of moving hearts & minds. You understand both sides and know how to flex into either or both sides of this spectrum depending on the situation. 

As such, we are looking for a Director, Integrated Media Strategy & Planning who shares this mindset and wants to join a talented team of growth marketers. This leadership role is equal parts agency development as well as a strategic client partner. This person will join us as a key member of the Integrated Planning & Strategy team at a crucial time when its scope, size and influence are growing more immediately within the Creative & Media team, and gradually across the broader, global DEPT footprint. 

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to shape what best in class integrated media strategy, and planning looks like and be in the driver seat in terms of both refining product and process, driving implementation across a variety of verticals and brands (both B2C and B2B). You’ll work closely in tandem with the business development, client partner, creative, data science & analytics, data & tech and channel activation teams to retain clients and win new ones. 

You have several years of experience across media planning/strategy and media buying/activation, ideally having worked on nationally and internationally known, iconic brands, dealing with junior and senior level clients as well as internal and external stakeholders. You get what it takes to plan and activate both digital and traditional channels and you can connect paid media efforts to owned, earned and shared media–that when looked at in concert, represent a well-thought out Integrated Marketing Communications plan. In that same vein, you have experience with Communications Planning or Connections Planning and are comfortable collaborating with other marketing disciplines beyond media like Creative, Content, PR, Brand, Product, Web, etc. bringing holistic consumer experiences to life. 

You'll be responsible for:

Leadership

  • Support the expansion of our Integrated Planning and Strategy practice within the Creative & Media team at DEPT within North America and globally
  • Actively contribute to our communications planning practice, while steering media strategy and planning practices.
  • Have the aptitude for elevating a client’s ambition in ways that allow us to over deliver and bring proactive growth orientated solutions
  • Champion the work by having a deep understanding of our partners business and what makes it tick.
  • Must have a strong passion for critical thinking, problem solving, and a deep understanding of how businesses, brands and customers interact, with an equal understanding of the role that data and technology play in this relationship. 
  • Candidates must possess the ability to identify business growth opportunities and develop strategic recommendations to support the growth of client relationships

Planning

  • Experience leading full funnel, connected media and data driven strategies 
  • Develop communication plans that connect Consumer, Commerce and Content insights into media strategy and activation opportunities
  • Understand first-party data to elevate strategic opportunities
  • Continually monitor current marketing trends, new technology solutions, and competitors
  • Experience using insights from data to tell a story
  • Steer the creation of holistic communication plans and corresponding media strategies; from setting objectives & KPIs, audience sizing, profiling, targeting, , determining media channel mix and potential tactics/partners, budget setting to measurement frameworks
  • Closely partner and collaborate with interconnected internal teams such as Client Services, Creative Services, Activation and Decision Sciences when creating and executing holistic media campaigns
  • Work along a range of cross-discipline teams both within the agency and client’s team alike, building a collaborative and trusting relationship along the way
  • Participate in new business development and other growth opportunities.

You'll need to have:

  • 8+ years of hands-on and leadership experience in omni-channel media strategy, planning & activation inclusive of all digital channels; knowledge and experience in traditional channels is preferred but not mandatory
  • 4+ years of experience in Integrated Marketing Communications / Communications / Connections planning with a paid-owned-earned-shared perspective, while at an agency or client
  • Experience working with nationally / globally recognized brands, ideally in an multi-agency and stakeholder environment (e.g. IAT), with direct experience in 360 sponsorship / tentpole campaign planning and activation
  • A balanced mix of robust B2B and B2C experience 
  • Understanding of brand and performance media and the synergy across the two
  • Natural, proven leadership instincts that your team will want to follow, and your clients will implicitly trust
  • Able to clearly and concisely articulate a persuasive point of view, both written and verbal, presenting to project stakeholders
  • Curious and creative, while rigorous and analytical. 
  • Able to understand clients visible and invisible needs
  • Strong collaboration, client relationship, and leadership skills
  • Experience navigating cross-functional teams and dynamics
  • Deep experience with media industry research and planning tools (i.e. ComScore, MRI, GWI, Kantar, Pathmatics)
  • Flexibility to travel for work meetings and events

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401k plan, plus matching
  • PTO
  • Paid Company Holidays
  • Parental Leave

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401k plan, plus matching
  • PTO
  • Paid Company Holidays
  • Parental Leave

The anticipated salary range for this position is $121,200 - $175,700. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we're flexible. 

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 lived experience, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. 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 pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture. 

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.

#LI-Hybrid

Apply for this Job

* Required
resume chosen  
Dropbox Google Drive
(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)
Cancel

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in DEPT®’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Enter the verification code sent to to confirm you are not a robot, then submit your application.

This application was flagged as potential bot traffic. To resubmit your application, turn off any VPNs, clear the browser's cache and cookies, or try another browser. If you still can't submit it, contact our support team through the help center.