What We Are Looking For 

VML is seeking a Group Media Director to join our Connections department, responsible for leading a portfolio of key client accounts. Client Media Mix involves a blend of Awareness and Conversion initiatives, with media crossing upper, mid and lower funnel.  We are looking for an inspiring and visionary leader who will not only embody and champion our strategic vision but also be instrumental in shaping it. This role demands a seasoned professional capable of driving strategic direction for new business development, fostering executive-level client partnerships, and ultimately accountable for the growth and success of a group of accounts. You will oversee media planning efforts that consistently deliver innovative, data-driven, and highly effective ideas, ensuring VML remains at the forefront of the industry. We seek a leader who can continually reinforce consumer behaviors in integrated idea development, empower groundbreaking innovation with emerging media technologies, and expertly supervise the implementation of integrated offerings and tools across their group. 

What You'll Do 

Executive Leadership & Management:

• Cultivate and strengthen executive-level client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to foster long-term growth.
• Provide strategic oversight and ultimate accountability for the resolution of client media challenges and issues on a single AOR client.
• Define and ensure adherence to processes and strategic timetables for the development and delivery of comprehensive media plans.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, including other Directors and senior media professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and career progression.
• Drive new business strategy and participate in pitches, demonstrating VML's capabilities and securing growth opportunities for the agency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other VML departments (e.g., Creative, Analytics, Strategy) to deliver fully integrated solutions.

Strategic Media Planning & Innovation:

• Set the overarching strategic direction and ensure excellence for comprehensive media plans that align with and exceed client marketing objectives across a group of accounts.
• Champion and embed consumer-centric insights into all strategic planning, ensuring deep understanding of audience behaviors drives media strategies.
• Drive the adoption of innovative media technologies and capabilities across the group, ensuring VML's solutions are cutting-edge and effective.
• Lead the identification and development of groundbreaking content and multi-platform media partnerships, creating unique value for clients.
• Oversee the development and strategic articulation of advanced media plan recommendations and alternatives, presenting with executive presence to clients.
• Provide leadership in analyzing competitive activity across client industries, translating insights into actionable strategies.
• Partner closely with analytics leadership to define robust measurement frameworks, drive actionable insights, and ensure continuous optimization for all campaigns within the group.
• Ensure that all media plans are executed flawlessly, on schedule, and within budget, with consistent oversight and quality control.
• Actively participate in industry forums and maintain deep relationships with media and technology partners to ensure VML remains at the forefront of market trends and opportunities.

Who You Are

• A seasoned leader with exceptional verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex strategies to executive audiences.
• A strategic expert in leveraging advanced media research and planning tools for comprehensive audience insights, attribute determination, and strategic planning.
• A proven track record of driving significant business growth, fostering enduring executive client relationships, and leading high-performing media teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Possesses the strategic fortitude to lead calmly and decisively under pressure, guiding teams through complex challenges.
• A visionary who can inspire and motivate teams, foster a collaborative environment, and drive innovation.
• Innovation minded, able to work with clients who are first movers with courage to test and learn and explore new media horizons. 

What You'll Need

• 10+ years of progressive experience in media planning and performance media, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role overseeing a team. Agency experience required.
• A fundamental and comprehensive understanding of all media channels, including Television, Audio, Print, and all digital media channels.  Experience hands on keys/in-platform or managing related teams is a plus.  
• Solid knowledge of various performance platforms and their strategic application to drive business outcomes.
• Extensive experience leading, mentoring, and developing large teams (12+), including those junior, mid level, and Director level.
• Proven client-facing experience at an executive level, with a track record of successfully managing and growing major accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead across complex cross-functional internal teams and effectively lead with external clients, partners, and vendors.
• Strong experience in integrating strategic research/planning with advanced analytics/measurement/optimization to deliver superior results and insights.

What we offer: 

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.