Digital Strategy and Activation Manager — Chicago, IL

Digital Strategy and Activation Manager

Chicago, IL • Full Time • Hybrid (M/F remote, T/W/TH in office)

$90,000–$100,000 per year, plus benefits

T9njC ARD3UERPq’p Digital team is growing, and we’re looking for a Digital Strategy and Activation Manager to lead the development and execution of digital media strategies for our clients. You’ll combine strategic vision with sharp analytics, act as a trusted digital advisor to clients, and serve as our go-to expert on programmatic and paid social.

WHO IS v9fBE?

VHCWM YPSWgw9n8 is a team specializing in data-driven marketing for mid-sized businesses. Since its inception in 2014, VHCWM YPSWgw9n8 has grown into a full-service agency that excels in performance marketing, creative production, traditional and digital media planning/buying, as well as data and analytics. What sets dhkhu apart is their deep-rooted understanding of both the business of business and performance marketing, allowing them to craft creative marketing solutions to grow their clients’ businesses. dhkhu treats their clients’ businesses as their own and their exceptional team, committed and talented, is at the heart of their achievements.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Digital Strategy and Activation Manager, you’ll report to our Group Media Director and own digital strategy and activation for your assigned accounts, from planning through execution, optimization and reporting.

Digital Media Planning and Strategy

• Lead the development and implementation of digital media plans that drive clients’ business objectives

• Partner with the Strategist on your accounts to deliver integrated digital plans that align with overall account strategy

• Recommend media mix, channel allocation and audience strategies, and advocate for testing that informs client buys

Campaign Activation and Management

• Lead the management and execution of complex digital campaigns across platforms, delivering on time, accurately and effectively

• Bridge strategic insights and tactical execution

Performance Analysis, Optimization and Reporting

• Analyze platform KPIs and large, complex datasets to find trends and optimization opportunities across platforms, audiences and campaigns

• Deliver regular performance reports with clear insights, recommendations and their impact on client goals

Client Advisory and Thought Leadership

• Serve as a trusted digital advisor on strategy, technology integrations, execution and measurement

• Research and present growth opportunities, platform betas and industry trends

• Develop points of view (POVs) and recommendations on activating digital strategies

• Act as the subject matter expert for programmatic and social media platforms, for internal teams and clients

Team Leadership and Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the trading team, strategy, account management and vendors on your accounts

• Mentor, guide and train junior team members responsible for day-to-day trading

Agency Capability and New Business

• Help grow the agency’s digital capabilities and best practices, and share what you learn with colleagues and clients

• Contribute to new business proposals and presentations

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

• Group Media Director, your manager, on priorities and escalation

• Clients, including C-level stakeholders, who rely on you for digital strategy, insights and recommendations

• Strategists and account management, on integrated plans and alignment across your accounts

• The creative team, on creative requirements, platform specs and timelines, and the performance insights that shape testing and optimization

• The finance team, on client budgets, spend tracking, and billing and reconciliation of vendor and platform invoices

• The trading team, whose junior members you’ll mentor and guide

• Vendors and platform partners, on execution, betas and emerging opportunities

TOOLS YOU’LL USE

Social media buying platforms including Meta, DSPs and SSPs, Tableau, AI tools including Claude, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Microsoft Excel and BI tools.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• 4+ years of progressive digital media experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Extensive experience leading complex programmatic and social media campaigns

• Advanced Meta advertising knowledge and Meta Blueprint certification

• Relevant certifications in social platforms, DSPs, Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager

• Deep understanding of DSP/SSP, PPC and social media buying platforms

• Strong understanding of integrated, mixed-media strategies

• Highly developed analytical skills, including large, complex datasets in Excel and BI tools

• Exceptional business acumen and proven success working with C-level clients

• Strong communication and presentation skills, including explaining complex digital concepts to non-technical audiences

• A proactive, detail-oriented approach to solving complex problems, both independently and as part of a team

Nice to Have

• Agency-side experience (strongly preferred)

• Experience mentoring and guiding junior team members (highly preferred)

• Traditional media buying experience

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Client campaigns that meet or exceed their KPIs and business objectives

• Strong, on-time media plans, campaign execution and performance reporting

• Insights, POVs and recommendations that shape clients’ strategic direction

• Strong client relationships and growing client business

• A trading team that grows in skill and execution quality under your mentorship

• Contributions to 9Msx2’T digital capabilities and new business wins

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

• A leadership role shaping digital strategy for a diverse client portfolio

• Early access to platform betas and new digital opportunities

• The chance to mentor junior traders and grow your career as dhkhu grows

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid schedule, working from our Chicago office and remotely

• Primarily computer- and phone-based work

• Client meetings and new business presentations, in person or virtual

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary range: $90,000–$100,000 annually, based on experience, skills and qualifications

• Medical, dental and vision insurance with generous employer contribution

• 401(k) with employer contribution

• Ongoing education and training

• Company-sponsored events and team building

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

VHCWM YPSWgw9n8 is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, training, promotion and termination, are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, citizenship status, work authorization status, order of protection status, arrest record, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. VHCWM YPSWgw9n8 considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

VHCWM YPSWgw9n8 provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. If you need an accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please contact Edgar Loredo at ••••••••.

To learn more about your rights under federal employment discrimination laws, review the EEOC’s “Know Your Rights” notice at eeoc.gov/poster.