Managing Director, Media Strategy

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION **ROLE:** MANAGING DIRECTOR , MEDIA STRATEGY(Financial Institution Experience) **TEAM:** ACCOUNTS, SALT MEDIA **LOCATION**: TORONTO (HYBRID) **COMPANY OVERVIEW** Salt is a North American marketing agency that creates connected experiences through creative, digital & media innovation. Our mission is to “Earn The World’s Attention” and Salt is built to find, develop, execute, and amplify the ideas that are worthy of our clients’ audiences. We’ve structured our agency to do what’s right for our clients – to connect different perspectives, to work across mediums, and to focus on delivering meaningful, effective results. We’re committed to living up to the values in our name. “Salt of The Earth” means we value collaborative, humble, hard-working people here. We’re looking for people who are as smart as they are kind because we believe the right talent and the right culture help us do what’s right for our clients. **ROLE OVERVIEW** As a Managing Director, Media, you will lead Salt’s media practice by driving strategic excellence, operational performance, and commercial growth across a portfolio of clients and media investments. You are responsible for shaping media strategy, guiding investment decisions, and ensuring best-in-class planning, buying, measurement, and optimization across all channels. You oversee multidisciplinary teams, foster senior client relationships, and champion innovation in media technology, audience strategy, and performance marketing. As a senior agency leader, you balance long-term vision with hands-on leadership—stepping in to solve complex business challenges, elevate client outcomes, and create scalable systems that drive growth. This role is about building a high-performing media practice that delivers measurable business impact. You will be accountable for portfolio performance, media investment stewardship, team development, operational excellence, and expanding Salt’s media capabilities in a rapidly evolving landscape **CORE RESPONSIBILITIES** Media Strategy & Planning Leadership - Lead integrated, full-funnel media strategies across a portfolio of clients, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer journeys, and brand goals. - Establish strategic planning frameworks and media approaches that drive consistency, innovation, and measurable outcomes across teams. - Guide senior media leaders in developing channel strategies, investment allocations, and audience approaches that maximize effectiveness and efficiency. - Partner with Strategy, Creative, Digital, and Account teams to deliver connected marketing solutions that drive business growth. - Represent Salt as a media thought leader through client presentations, industry events, and marketplace engagement. Media Buying & Investment Management - Oversee media investment across client portfolios, ensuring budgets are optimized to deliver maximum performance and value. - Lead media investment philosophy, governance, and buying practices across all channels and platforms. - Build and maintain executive-level relationships with media partners, publishers, and technology vendors to unlock innovation, preferential pricing, and strategic opportunities. - Negotiate high-value media agreements and partnerships that improve agency leverage and client outcomes. - Ensure media plans and investments remain aligned to business objectives, market conditions, and evolving consumer behaviors. Measurement, Analytics & Insight Development - Champion data-driven decision-making across the media practice through robust measurement frameworks and reporting standards. - Oversee dashboard strategy, data integration, and performance reporting processes that provide actionable insights to clients and teams. - Guide teams in translating media performance data into strategic recommendations that improve future planning and business results. - Ensure consistent measurement methodologies are applied across client portfolios to support optimization, accountability, and learning. - Promote a culture of testing, learning, and continuous improvement through data and analytics. Media Technology & Innovation - Lead the adoption and evolution of media tools, platforms, and technologies that improve operational efficiency and campaign effectiveness. - Oversee vendor relationships and platform partnerships to ensure optimal utilization, innovation, and return on investment. - Identify emerging technologies, automation opportunities, and industry trends that can strengthen Salt’s media capabilities. - Collaborate with leadership to establish long-term technology roadmaps that support agency growth and competitive advantage. - Drive innovation initiatives that improve workflow efficiency, scalability, and campaign performance. Performance Optimization & Audience Strategy - Champion advanced optimization frameworks, automation solutions, and testing methodologies across client portfolios. - Guide teams in developing audience-first strategies that leverage data, segmentation, and behavioral insights to improve effectiveness. - Establish best practices for audience targeting, channel selection, and performance measurement across all media programs. - Lead innovation in automation, optimization, and performance systems that improve efficiency and business outcomes. - Ensure media strategies evolve continuously through audience insights, testing results, and market intelligence. Financial Leadership - Own portfolio-level financial performance, including media investment oversight, forecasting, profitability, and growth targets. - Monitor media revenue, margins, and operational efficiency while identifying opportunities to improve business performance. - Partner with Finance and agency leadership on forecasting, investment planning, resource allocation, and growth initiatives. - Ensure disciplined financial management across media programs, including budget reconciliation, reporting accuracy, and investment stewardship. - Provide mentorship and guidance to media leaders on commercial acumen, financial accountability, and business management. Client Growth & Industry Leadership - Build and deepen executive-level client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor on media, marketing, and business growth strategies. - Maintain a deep understanding of client industries, competitive landscapes, and emerging opportunities. - Drive organic growth through innovative media solutions, integrated marketing programs, and expanded service offerings. - Lead media participation in pitches, RFPs, and new business opportunities. - Represent Salt at senior client, industry, and partner forums, reinforcing the agency’s leadership and expertise in media. Team Leadership & Culture - Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing media team that embodies Salt’s values and commitment to excellence. - Develop leadership capability across the media department through coaching, succession planning, and career development. - Champion collaboration, accountability, DE&I, innovation, and continuous learning across the team. - Partner with People & Culture to assess talent needs, recruit top performers, and support onboarding and development initiatives. - Create an environment where strategic thinking, creativity, and data-driven decision-making thrive. EXPERIENCE & SKILLS - 12+ years of experience in media planning, buying, strategy, performance marketing, or agency leadership, including significant experience leading large client portfolios and media investment programs. - Financial Institution Experience - Proven experience leading integrated media planning and investment strategies across digital, social, programmatic, search, video, broadcast, retail media, and emerging channels. - Demonstrated success defining media investment philosophies, governance frameworks, and scalable planning approaches across multiple clients or business units. - Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience overseeing large-scale media budgets, forecasting, revenue growth, profitability, and operational performance. - Deep expertise in measurement, analytics, reporting frameworks, attribution methodologies, and insight development that drives business outcomes. - Advanced understanding of media technologies, ad platforms, DSPs, ad servers, analytics tools, data ecosystems, and marketing technology solutions. - Track record of driving performance optimization, automation, testing strategies, and innovation initiatives that improve campaign effectiveness and efficiency. - Expert knowledge of audience strategy, segmentation, data application, and targeting methodologies across modern media ecosystems. - Exceptional leadership capabilities with experience building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing teams in fast-paced agency environments. - Skilled relationship builder with the ability to influence executive stakeholders, negotiate strategic partnerships, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients. - Outstanding communication and presentation skills with confidence leading C-suite discussions, strategic workshops, and new business presentations. - Passionate about media innovation, technology, data, and marketing effectiveness, with the vision to connect strategy, investment, and execution to deliver measurable business impact. PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it: - Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid schedule (2 days per week in office), up to 28 paid days off, winter holiday shutdowns. - Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness spending, RRSP matching, or extra time off. - Growth-Driven Culture: Learning & Development-focused (Salt Days), top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development. - Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary Company trips, social events, and Salt Swag. - Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses and exclusive lifestyle perks - Culture of Belonging: Flexible accommodation policies, active Employee Resource Groups, and a workplace where every voice counts. WHAT WE STAND FOR - Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always. - Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time. - Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey. - Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward. - Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact. *The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $170,000–$200,000.* *Individual compensation within the base salary range is determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, level of responsibility, internal equity, and business needs. The base salary range listed does not include variable pay or other elements of SALT total rewards program.* *Our Pay Philosophy: We offer transparent, fair compensation based on role, experience, and market data. Salaries are reviewed annually.*