Zambezi’s modern media practice, Scale by Zambezi, is seeking a highly experienced and inspiring Group Media Director to join our growing team. We champion creative media backed by data, and this person will help drive the strategic direction and success of the media department. This leader will be responsible for the development and execution of integrated media strategies across multiple accounts, along with building and sustaining long-term client relationships. The role requires a deep understanding of the media landscape, strong analytical skills and a passion for driving effective advertising campaigns. The ideal candidate will possess a strong leadership mindset and a proven ability to inspire and mentor teams.

This role requires the candidate to be located within the greater Los Angeles area.

What You’ll Be Doing: Key Responsibilities

Strategic Media Leadership & Execution

Develop and oversee integrated media strategies across multiple accounts that align with client business objectives and brand positioning.
Conduct sophisticated media research and analysis to pinpoint optimal channels, innovative platforms, and high-value audience segments.
Negotiate competitive media rates and secure optimal placements across all platforms: Digital, Performance, Video, Audio, Print, OOH and Direct Mail.
Oversee media schedules, ensuring efficient budget allocation and impeccable, timely campaign delivery.
Instill a data-driven approach to campaign monitoring and optimization, making agile, real-time adjustments based on insights.
Identify and secure organic growth opportunities within current client relationships.

Client Partnership

Act as the senior media point of contact for key clients, fostering strong relationships and delivering exceptional service and thought leadership.
Present complex media strategies and performance results to senior-level clients with clarity and compelling storytelling.
Collaborate to define and develop long-term media roadmaps and strategic partnerships.
Lead the development of Statements of Work (SOW) and fee proposals, actively managing scope and tracking against the SOW, in partnership with agency President.

Team Management & Mentorship

Provide direct management, mentorship, and support to Media Directors, Associate Media Directors and their reporting teams.
Actively cultivate a collaborative, high-performing, and innovative team culture that champions accountability.

Industry Expertise

Maintain deep fluency in emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices across media planning, buying and measurement.
Proactively evolve media strategies to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and market conditions.

What You'll Bring: Requirements

15+ years of progressive experience in media planning and buying, ideally within a high-growth agency or client-side environment.
A verifiable track record of developing, executing, and scaling successful, high-impact media campaigns.
Deep understanding of the entire media landscape, including traditional and sophisticated digital/performance channels.
Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable media decisions and client narratives.
Superior verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
Proven ability to lead, inspire, and mentor high-performing media teams.
A strong self-starter mentality with the autonomy to lead initiatives and prioritize tasks effectively.
Proficiency with media tools including, but not limited to: MRi/Simmons, Nielsen, Comscore, Ad Intel, Resonate, and various MMM companies.
High proficiency in Google Suite, Excel and Powerpoint.

The salary range for this position is $175 - $200K. Exactly where a prospective employee will be paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, the candidate’s depth of experience and qualifications in relation to the job description and the actual job duties of the role. In addition to salary, we also offer comprehensive benefits (covering 100% medical, dental, vision and offer open PTO, and more). The range above is for the expectations as laid out in the job description, however we are often open to a wide variety of profiles to find the right candidate for Zambezi.

Group Media Director

Recommended for you

Coordinator, Sales and Distribution

Director, Sales (Final Draft)

Junior Publicist - Music and Culture (NYC or LA)

Similar positions

Director, Performance Media Group

BILINGUAL CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR - TBO (Gray Media Group)

Fairchild Media Group: Digital Campaign Manager