Senior Director, Direct Buys & Programmatic

At Jellyfish, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration. We welcome individuals who excel in collaborative, varied teams and value the unique contributions that each person brings to the table. Jellyfish is a global digital marketing agency; a unique fusion of tech enthusiasts, creative minds, and media and data experts all united to empower our clients along their digital journey. Our commitment to embracing diverse perspectives fuels our innovation and strategies that challenge the status quo, reinvent media activation, and craft influential stories for our global clients and their customers. Join us in shaping a future where business growth and personal fulfilment go hand in hand.

We are hiring for this opportunity in preparation for exciting 2025 client wins. We may begin interview processes between now and the end of the year, but decisions and offers will be made from January 2025 at the earliest. Reporting to the VP of Paid Media, as the Senior Director of Direct Buys & Programmatic, you will lead the strategic direction and execution of media partnerships for our regional and global CPG clients across multiple markets. This senior leadership position requires an understanding of high-level marketing goals for global brands and the ability to build and sustain long-term client partnerships. You will manage a team, oversee large-scale campaigns, and serve as a senior client-facing leader. Your deep industry knowledge in channels such as Premium Publishers (including CTV), (d)OOH and other diverse partnerships, will allow you to create and execute innovative, efficient, and impactful media solutions that address core brand challenges.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leadership and Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of media strategists and planners, ensuring high performance and professional development across all levels. Provide strategic oversight and direction to ensure the team delivers best-in-class media strategies, creative partnerships, and client servicing. Be the senior escalation point for client needs and team challenges, ensuring the smooth execution of all media activities.
• Strategic Brand Advocacy and Partnership: Develop and oversee high-level media strategies for global and regional CPG brands, ensuring alignment with marketing goals and brand vision. Collaborate with senior-level clients to understand their long-term brand goals and create comprehensive, actionable media plans that align with their broader business goals. Foster deep partnerships with premium publishers, CTV providers, (d)OOH, and other important media partners, identifying new opportunities to enhance brand impact and consumer engagement. Leverage a deep understanding of global and regional FMCG brands, anticipating industry trends and proactively recommending strategies that achieve brand growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Integration: Lead cross-functional collaboration with media strategy, planning, paid media, measurement, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive execution of media strategies across all channels. Ensure that media strategies are seamlessly integrated into clients' overall marketing goals and deliver measurable results in line with business goals. Inspire innovation and thought leadership across internal teams, staying ahead of industry trends and new technologies to push boundaries in media planning and execution.
• Data-Driven Insights and Strategic Planning: Promote a data-driven approach to media strategy, ensuring all decisions are informed by actionable insights, market trends, and consumer data. Oversee the development of data-focused reports, providing senior clients with clear, insightful analyses that demonstrate the impact of media strategies on brand performance. Lead the identification and implementation of research opportunities, including consumer segmentation, campaign tracking, and social listening, to inform and refine media strategies.
• Client-Centric Leadership: Be the senior strategic advisor to global and regional clients, fostering long-term relationships and building deep, value-driven partnerships. Engage with senior executives to understand their business objectives and provide recommendations that deliver meaningful brand and business outcomes. Simplify complex media strategies and communicate them clearly to both clients and internal teams, ensuring alignment on goals and metrics.

Qualifications:

• Experience, including managing and mentoring high-performing teams within the media or advertising industry.
• Extensive expertise in Premium Publishers (including CTV), (d)OOH and other diverse partnerships.
• Deep understanding of global FMCG brands and their marketing goals, with experience delivering innovative media strategies at scale.
• Client-facing skills, with experience building long-term partnerships with senior-level team members.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, experience leading integrated teams and ensuring alignment across strategy, planning, and execution.
• Data-driven mindset, with the ability to turn insights into actionable media strategies that deliver measurable results.
• 5+ years of experience in media strategy, planning, and execution, particularly in large-scale campaigns.

Note: We emphasise skills, expertise and behavioural attributes over years of experience and traditional degrees. If you want to join our collaborative team, we invite you to apply today with your resume in English.

Join Jellyfish and experience a workplace where we prioritise your growth, celebrate your contributions, and empower you to tailor your work environment to suit your needs. Reward: You'll receive a loyalty salary increase on your Jellyfish anniversary, in addition to our company-wide annual bonus. Custom Work Environment: Work remotely for up to 60% of your days and shape your day between 8am and 6:30pm with flexible working hours. Growth, Your Way: Grow your career with one paid day each month for self-development and access to LinkedIn Learning with unlimited online courses. Family Support: Enjoy 14 weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and 4 weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers. We also provide £1000 (or equivalent) towards courses for returning primary caregivers to support your transition back into work.