Director, Media

Position Summary

At Burrell Communications, the Media Director manages the day-to-day processes and procedures for implementing the client's strategic media plans, setting benchmarks for operational excellence and delivering measurable business outcomes. Reporting to the VP of Media, this leader provides strategic oversight across media planning and activation while managing and developing members of the media team. The Media Director serves as a trusted partner to clients, agency leadership, and cross-functional teams, ensuring that media strategies are grounded in audience insights, cultural relevance, and business objectives. This role requires a collaborative leader who can balance strategic thinking with operational excellence while driving accountability, innovation, and performance across media engagements.

Essential Functions

• Partner with the VP in the development, execution, and evolution of integrated media strategies that align with client business goals, audience behavior, and marketplace opportunities.
• Lead the successful development and implementation of annual, quarterly, and campaign-specific media plans across channels, ensuring strategic consistency and operational excellence.
• Manage, mentor, and develop media team members by providing coaching, performance feedback, career development support, and leadership guidance that strengthens both individual and team performance.
• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients, fostering trusted relationships and confidently presenting media recommendations, business insights, and campaign performance results.
• Collaborate with the VP to develop, implement, and manage media budgets, financial forecasts, and resource allocations in support of client business objectives.
• Maintain a deep understanding of competitive landscapes, industry trends, audience insights, and emerging media opportunities to inform planning recommendations and thought leadership.
• Champion culturally relevant and consumer-centric thinking, ensuring media strategies authentically connect with target audiences and communities.
• Partner closely with Strategy, Account, Creative, Analytics, and Production teams to develop integrated solutions that maximize campaign effectiveness and business impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required.
• 10+ years of progressive media planning and buying experience, including significant experience leading integrated and cross-channel media programs.
• 5+ years of people management experience with a demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Multicultural media planning and/or buying experience required, with a strong understanding of reaching and engaging African American audiences preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise across traditional and digital media channels, including paid social, digital, video, audio, experiential, out-of-home, and emerging media platforms.
• Experience serving as a day-to-day senior client contact, with the ability to build trusted relationships, navigate complex business challenges, and influence strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and lead teams within fast-paced environments.
• Experience fostering inclusive team environments and supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MediaOcean, Prisma, MediaTools, syndicated research platforms, and other media planning, reporting, and analysis tools.
• Passion for culture, consumer behavior, evolving media landscapes, and developing innovative solutions that drive meaningful business results.