At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media strategy for high-profile clients and drive growth through innovative campaigns.
- Company: Join DEPT®, a pioneering Growth Invention company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, healthcare options, 25 days holiday, and a buddy programme.
- Other info: Be part of a certified B Corp committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on ambitious brands while collaborating with top talent.
- Qualifications: Extensive agency experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
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 services 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, Meta, e Bay, and Open AI.
We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.
Job Purpose
This role is part of our Creative & Media team based in London and Manchester.
Our team is a vibrant mix of talents, ranging from Creatives, Influencer Marketers, Brand & Content Strategists to Account Managers, Programmatic and Marketing Automation Consultants.
Together, we blend imaginative storytelling and performance-driven strategies with cutting-edge technology to create engaging digital experiences that build lasting relationships with our clients like Netflix, Canva, Foot Locker, Philips & Biscoff.
As a Strategy Director, Media at DEPT®, you are the senior strategic lead and media figurehead for one of our most complex and high-profile accounts.
You own the media agenda for the client and act as the primary point of contact for growth strategy, including paid owned and earned media, content, product and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
You balance long-term strategic direction with hands-on leadership in execution, ensuring that ambition translates into impact.
You connect media, content, creative, influencer, and performance disciplines into a cohesive full-funnel approach that challenges competitors and drives tangible business outcomes.
In this role, you operate comfortably within a complex, corporate environment and are trusted by senior client stakeholders as a strategic partner.
Internally, you are a connector, motivator, and decision-maker who brings clarity, urgency, and focus to teams, especially during high-pressure, large-scale campaigns such as international sports or brand moments.
- What You’ll Do
- Act as the senior media lead and content figurehead for the client, owning the growth narrative and strategic direction
- Steer the overall growth strategy agenda, ensuring consistency, quality, and ambition across brand and performance activities
- Serve as the primary senior point of contact for growth and media strategy towards the client's senior stakeholders
- Be the voice of authority on the methods to drive growth for clients - with the ability to look at client’s business challenges and numbers and navigate a path to growth.
- Owning areas such as business casing and forecasts
- Navigate a complex, client environment with sensitivity, authority, and confidence
- Present clear, compelling, and persuasive strategies to senior client management, translating complexity into actionable direction
- Balance long-term strategic vision with day-to-day urgency, knowing when to zoom out and when to step in
- Take hands-on leadership of large, high-impact campaigns (e. g. international brand moments, sponsorships, World Cup-scale activations)
- Ensure strategies are executable, prioritised correctly, and delivered with pace and quality
- Act as the link between disciplines, connecting media, creative, influencer, content, brand, and performance teams - both internally and externally
- Challenge teams and clients to push beyond conventional media thinking
- Proactively spot opportunities to expand the scope of work into broader strategic territories
- Contribute to new business opportunities, organic growth, and competitive positioning
- Help shape DEPT®’s media propositions, best practices, and strategic thought leadership
What You Bring
- Senior media strategist/media director-level professional with extensive agency experience
- Proven track record leading large, complex, and demanding corporate accounts
- Strong understanding of how to operate within, multi-stakeholder organisations
- Full-funnel media expertise with a solid foundation in both digital and traditional media (e. g. digital TV, influencer, creative, brand & performance)
- Ability to bridge brand and performance, strategy and execution
- Knowledge of crafts beyond media and is capable of briefing and guiding a team of data, creative or tech experts
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with strong organisational sensitivity
- Persuasive, energetic, and inspiring communicator
- Confident presenter to senior client leadership, able to simplify complex strategies
- Strong process insight and prioritisation skills
- Ability to distinguish between theoretical strategy and what requires immediate action
- Comfortable getting hands-on and leading from the front when needed
- Natural connector who brings together people, disciplines, and ideas
- WE OFFER
- A flexible, hybrid working policy
- The choice of medical healthcare providers (Bupa or Medicash)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off each year
- Company pension scheme
- EAP scheme
- Ride to work scheme
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Buddy Program: You will be paired with a 'Buddy' to help you through your first weeks' at DEPT®
- A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named 'Agency of the Year' at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
- Awesome clients.
Whether big or small, local or global - at DEPT® you'll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries.
And we celebrate all of our successes together!
- The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
- Global annual DEPT® Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.
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.
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.
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.
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Strategy Director, Media in Manchester employer: DEPT®
DEPT® is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in Greater London, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible hybrid working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including a company pension and healthcare options, and generous holiday allowances to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values diverse perspectives and drives meaningful impact in the world of Paid Media.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Director, Media in Manchester
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for DEPT® and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like DEPT® are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with DEPT® on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at DEPT®. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Director, Media in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit DEPT®. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of DEPT®:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about DEPT®’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DEPT®
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at DEPT® will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At DEPT®, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
