Associate Director, Commerce Strategy & Investment

Zenith is a full-service media agency with capabilities and expertise across all channels and disciplines. Zenith is part of Publicis Media, the #1 media buying network in the Americas and #2 globally. As “The ROI Agency,” Zenith’s expertise lies in driving real, tangible business outcomes, not just media metrics, that will have a measurable effect on our clients’ business. Every investment we make has an ROI mindset—not just for our clients, but for our agency at large. We’re focused on driving the maximum value for our people, our capabilities and our media investments for some of the world’s leading brands.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Associate Director, Integrated Strategy & Investment to lead the development of full funnel strategies that drive business growth, increase brand goals, and enhance consumer engagement. This role requires a leader with a strong strategic vision, deep digital expertise in national media, and a passion for turning data-driven insights into compelling narratives. Candidates that have both national and commerce experience are ideal for this position. 

This individual will own the development of strategy and activation for a key client, collaborating across teams to deliver end-to-end media solutions that drive business impact. The ideal candidate thrives in an integrated fast-paced environment, leads with confidence, and is known for transforming insights into action. 

Account Management:

• Day-to-day client lead: The primary point of contact for clients on deliverables
• Proactively drive collaboration with cross-functional teams (internal & external) to enhance processes, refine client deliverables, evaluate cross-platform opportunities and maximize efficiencies
• Manages a Media Planner and day-to-day operations, including prioritization of projects
• Build and maintain relationships with media publishers and meet with new vendors to assess the value and applicability

• Lead Process Improvements within an Integrated Agency Team (IAT) model, enhancing workflow and strategic execution

Strategy and Planning:

• Plan and develop cutting-edge full funnel strategies from client brief to strategy development and RFP management with media partners and retailers
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance, ensuring alignment with business objectives while offering feedback to improve client results
• Drive innovative thinking: Set strategic vision of media approach via analysis of relevant business metrics and new media solutions to deliver on client goals
• Lead process improvements within an Integrated Agency Team (IAT) model, enhancing workflow and strategic execution
• Represent the team as a key member of the Integrated Media & Commerce Leadership Team, influencing decision-making and shaping media strategy direction

• Provide recommendations for possible changes in channel strategy moving forward.
• Lead the conversation with partners in the development of plan recommendations and revisions (including tagging capabilities).

Activation and Reporting:

• Oversee the flawless execution of all approved media plans, ensuring strategic alignment and timely delivery
• Review and approve all campaign data and inputs entered into Prisma to maintain accuracy and compliance
• Monitor adherence to established tagging requirements across campaigns for effective tracking and reporting
• Negotiate media rates using benchmarks grounded in historical planning data to maximize value
• Own Budget Management, ensuring media investments are accurately tracked and forecasted in budget management tools as well as strategically allocated, maximizing tactical performance
• Data & Analysis: Work with internal D&A teams to gauge media performance and KPIs to determine takeaways and optimizations to action on

Billing:

• Support direct reports on reconciliations in draft billing every month
• Update monthly billing tracker
• Consult on ad-hoc billing/payment issues or requests from vendors

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5 years of media planning experience with team management and a concentration in strategy and digital activation within an agency working with cross-functional teams
• Strong understanding of all media channels (video, social, search, audio, programmatic, commerce, content) and background with RMNs including (but not limited to Walmart, Amazon, Target, Kroger, or Instacart) 
• Digital and performance marketing mindset/fluency with experience managing an activation team 
• Familiar with marketing science principles and problem solving / analytics used to influence a data-driven and quantitative approach in driving strategy 
• Proven experience and success in presenting plans to senior clients and influencing top level client decisions related to media strategy and implementation 
• Detail-oriented and proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and develop more efficient and effective processes  
• Ability to anticipate and quickly assess continually changing client needs and adapt resources and strategies accordingly 
• Solid experience with the billing and reconciliation process

Business Competencies:

• Software Knowledge: Microsoft Suite, Nielsen Suite, Kantar, MediaTools, R/F and Optimization Software, Social Tracking tools, comScore, Prisma, MRI/GWI.  Must understand its capabilities and applications to translate data into actionable consumer first insights

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent. 

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive.  Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K,  as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com.  All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: $130,000- $135,000. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 7/15/2025.

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

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Salary : $130,000 - $135,000