Group Media Director, Biddable Investment

Durham, NC, New York, NY, Phoenix, AZ

McKinney is hiring a visionary and results-driven Group Media Director, Biddable Investment to lead Paid Search, Paid Social, and Programmatic to lead these critical channels' strategic evolution, delivery, and performance excellence. This person will report to the VP of Activation and will be the client and new business lead for all paid search, paid social, and programmatic channels. This senior leader will be responsible for developing and articulating a clear and compelling channel vision that ties directly to business outcomes, driving best-in-class go-to-market strategies for clients, and ensuring seamless execution across all client engagements.

This role will manage a diverse team of senior and junior talent across multiple offices, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and performance excellence, while consistently exceeding client expectations and delivering measurable business impact.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Leadership & Vision:
    • Define and continuously evolve the strategic vision for paid search, paid social, and programmatic, ensuring alignment with broader business and marketing objectives.
    • Develop and clearly articulate the agency’s point of view on the role of search, social, and programmatic within the holistic media ecosystem and client marketing strategies.
    • Own thought leadership efforts, representing the agency’s expertise in these channels through client engagements, industry events, and published insights.
    • Stay abreast of policy changes and effectively communicate  a clear and concise POV to our clients
  • Business Impact & Results:
    • Ensure paid search, social, and programmatic strategies are directly tied to client business goals, driving measurable outcomes across performance and brand KPIs.
    • Collaborate with senior leadership across media, strategy, analytics, and creative to ensure paid channels are fully integrated into cross-channel plans.
  • Client Leadership & Go-To-Market Strategy:
    • Develop high-impact go-to-market strategies that combine innovation, channel best practices, and tailored solutions for each client’s unique needs.
    • Provide executive-level guidance and oversight to clients, serving as the senior point of contact for channel performance and strategy discussions.
  • Operational Excellence:
    • Ensure flawless execution of channel strategies, from planning to optimization, ensuring operational rigor and process excellence across the team.
    • Define and implement best practices, processes, and tools that drive efficiency, consistency, and innovation in execution.
  • Team Leadership & Development:
    • Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing team of senior and junior talent across paid search, paid social, and programmatic. 
    • Provide mentorship, guidance, and career development opportunities, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
    • Identify and address skills gaps, ensuring the team stays ahead of platform changes, emerging trends, and evolving client needs.

Qualifications:

  • 12+ years of experience in performance marketing, with a proven track record leading paid search, paid social and programmatic strategies at a senior level.
  • Experience managing teams of 10+ across different levels of experience.
  • Expertise in developing channel strategies tied directly to business outcomes and full-funnel marketing.
  • Strong understanding of how paid search, social, and programmatic fit into the broader media mix and customer journey.
  • Exceptional client-facing skills, with the ability to confidently present strategies, results, and recommendations to C-level stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to develop frameworks, processes, and best practices that scale across clients and teams.
  • Deep knowledge of key platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, Trade Desk etc.) and emerging technologies in search, social and programmatic. 
  • Strong analytical mindset, with experience using data to inform strategy and optimization.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

Preferred:

  • Experience in agency environments managing multiple clients and verticals.
  • Familiarity with performance measurement, attribution modeling, and incrementality testing.
  • Experience working with creative, analytics, and other cross-functional teams.

About McKinney 

McKinney is a creative, media, and influencer agency that gets attention for brands. In 2024, McKinney was named to Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators list, as well as Ad Age's A-List and its list of Best Places to Work, reinforcing the agency's commitment to providing an exceptional workplace culture where employees thrive and creativity flourishes. McKinney Health, the agency's Pharma and Wellness practice launched in 2022, was named to MM+M Magazine's 2024 Agency 100 list. A Certified B Corporation, McKinney is part of the Cheil Worldwide network and has offices across the country, including Durham, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York. McKinney has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Effies, The One Show, D&AD, ANDY, CLIO, LIA, the Shortys, and The Webby Awards, among others. Client partners include brands such as Popeyes, Blue Diamond Growers, Little Caesars, Pampers, Henkel, Samsung, Indivior, Sherwin-Williams, Biogen and the Ad Council. For more information, visit mckinney.com.

Salary Range

Our estimated range for this role is $150 - $180k

Compensation packages are based on the skill level and experience each candidate brings to their role. There may also be a more senior or junior position available that could be a better fit with your expertise. Each level has its own compensation range.

We pride ourselves on competitive salaries, and ensuring pay equity exists across our organization. We benchmark each position against existing employee competencies and 4As compensation data which includes geographic and agency size benchmarks. We also meet with department leaders 3x/year to ensure we are supporting employees in living into their full potential.  Our promotions are not limited to a specific time per year. Promotions are tied to performance.  

Right To Work In The US

You must be authorized to work in the US for any employer.  At this time, we are not sponsoring or providing assistance with obtaining work authorization.

McKinney is a place where everyone can grow. Studies have shown that marginalized communities  such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day.

We are in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on a hybrid schedule. We look forward to meeting you!

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