Associate Director Media Strategy (New York City Metropolitan Area)

Overview:

As an Associate Director at Moon Rabbit, you will act as a senior strategic leader responsible for translating high-level media vision into executable, scalable programs across channels. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, analytics, client leadership and team development, owning day-to-day strategic execution while contributing to longer-term planning, innovation, and team management.

You will strategically collaborate and work directly with a Director of Media Strategy - owning large work streams, leading key client conversations, mentoring managers and strategists, and ensuring media plans are both strategically sound and operationally excellent. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to develop innovative media strategies that maximize brand visibility, engagement, and return on investment (ROI). This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with leading brands and leverage cutting-edge media platforms to drive impactful advertising campaigns.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Lead the development of integrated, mutli-channel media strategies across linear, programmatic, search, paid social, CTV/OTT, digital video, and emerging channels
• Translate business objectives into clear media frameworks, channel roles, and test-and-learn roadmaps
• Own advanced targeting approaches including audience selection, geo-based strategies, provider/HCP targeting, and mid-funnel expansion
• Pressure-test plans for efficiency, scale, and diminishing returns, making informed recommendations on budget allocation and optimization
• Be able to speak meaningfully to data, projections, outcomes, and optimizations.
• Lead annual planning, QBRs, and long-range growth strategies

Advanced Planning, Optimization & Performance Leadership

• Own strategic interpretation of performance, translating analytics outputs into clear insights and media recommendations
• Partner with the analytics team to align on measurement approach, KPIs, and learning priorities
• Lead optimization decisions by identifying where to invest, scale, test, or pull back based on performance trends
• Deliver client-ready performance narratives, clearly articulating what happened, why it happened, and what to do next
• Ensure insights inform future planning and continuous improvement across channels

Client Leadership & Advisory

• Serve as a primary strategic contact for clients, leading cross-channel media discussions with confidence and clarity
• Advise clients on publisher capabilities, platform innovations, and emerging opportunities, translating tactics into sound strategic recommendations
• Deliver executive-ready updates, insights, and recommendations that elevate client trust and partnership
• Anticipate client needs and proactively identify opportunities for optimization, testing, or expansion

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly manage and mentor a team of specialists across platform strategy, execution, and creative/experience planning
• Guide teams in aligning platform capabilities, creative strategy, and journey mapping to overall brand and business goals
• Set clear expectations, provide strategic feedback, and foster professional growth
• Ensure quality control across deliverables while empowering teams to take ownership

Partner & Vendor Strategy

• Maintain strong relationships with media vendors, publishers, and technology partners
• Stay informed on new offerings, beta opportunities, and pricing structures
• Lead higher-level negotiation strategy and ensure buying approaches maximize value and efficiency

Innovation & Industry Leadership

• Stay ahead of industry trends, media technologies, and evolving best practices—particularly within healthcare and regulated categories
• Identify opportunities to pilot new platforms, formats, or targeting approaches
• Contribute to agency thought leadership, process improvement, and scalable strategy frameworks

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field (advanced degree or certifications a plus)
• 8–10+ years of experience in media strategy, planning, or buying within an agency or brand environment
• Proven experience leading integrated, multi-channel media programs across digital, social, programmatic, search, and video
• Prior people-management experience with the ability to mentor and develop talent
• Strong familiarity with programmatic, search, tagging, and media technology ecosystems
• Experience leveraging analytics and planning tools such as Nielsen, comScore, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or equivalent platforms
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights and make data-driven decisions to optimize media plans and campaign performance
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset and a passion for innovation
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive attitude and a passion for innovation and continuous learning in the media landscape.