Director of Traditional Media (Chicago)

Job Title: Director of Traditional Media

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid) 3 days in office weekly/ 2 days work from home

Reports To: Head of Integrated Media

Position Overview

The Director of Traditional Media will lead the strategy, planning, negotiation, and execution of traditional media campaigns across linear television, radio, print, out-of-home (OOH), and other offline channels. This role is responsible for mentoring media buying teams, overseeing vendor relationships, negotiating rates and added value, and ensuring campaigns deliver against client goals, budgets, and timelines.

This position requires a strategic leader and strong negotiator with deep expertise in traditional media within an advertising agency environment.

Key Responsibilities

Media Strategy & Planning

• Lead traditional media strategy across TV, radio, print, and OOH channels
• Collaborate with media planning, strategy, analytics, and account teams to build integrated media plans
• Provide strategic recommendations based on audience insights, ratings data, and market trends
• Ensure media plans align with client objectives, KPIs, and budgets

Media Buying & Negotiation

• Oversee all traditional media buying and placement execution
• Negotiate rates, added value, positioning, and cancellation terms with media vendors
• Maintain strong relationships with TV stations, radio groups, and OOH vendors
• Identify cost efficiencies and value-added opportunities for clients

Team Leadership & Management

• Mentor and develop a team of media buyers
• Oversee workflow, campaign timelines, and resource allocation
• Train team members on negotiation strategies, media tools, and best practices
• Contribute to team growth, performance management, and career development

Campaign Execution & Performance

• Ensure media buys are executed accurately and on schedule
• Monitor delivery, make-goods, and performance against plan
• Partner with analytics teams to evaluate campaign performance and optimize future buys
• Oversee post-buy analysis and client reporting

Financial Management

• Manage media budgets, billing, and reconciliation processes
• Ensure campaigns are executed within financial guidelines
• Review vendor invoices and resolve discrepancies
• Support leadership with forecasting and revenue projections

Client Leadership

• Serve as senior media buying lead in client meetings and presentations
• Provide marketplace insights, negotiation updates, and strategic recommendations
• Support new business pitches and agency growth initiatives

Qualifications

• 12+ years of traditional media buying experience (TV and radio; local and national)
• OOH experience a plus
• 3–5+ years of team leadership experience
• Prior advertising agency experience required
• Proven track record in negotiating with media vendors and reps
• Experience with media research tools (e.g., Nielsen, ComScore, SQAD, Scarborough)
• Experience with media buying platforms (MediaOcean; Prisma preferred)

Preferred Experience

• Managing multi-market or national media campaigns
• Experience in home services, personal injury, or e-commerce verticals
• Working within integrated digital and traditional media teams
• Leading client presentations and contributing to new business development

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid work environment with a collaborative, high-performing team
• Opportunity to lead and shape traditional media strategy at a senior level
• Exposure to high-impact campaigns and diverse client industries
• Career growth within a forward-thinking, integrated media organization

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance, with
• generous employer contribution
• Ongoing education & training
• Company sponsored events & team building experiences