Media Manager

The Media Manager is responsible for leading MMNA's paid media strategy, planning, agency management, and performance stewardship across national Tier 1 and regional Tier 2 marketing initiatives. This role serves as the primary strategic partner to the Media Agency of Record (AOR), ensuring media investments support business objectives, vehicle priorities, consumer insights, and sales goals. You will also be responsible for media budget stewardship, ensuring all media investments are managed with financial discipline, remain within approved budgets, and deliver maximum business impact and cost efficiency. The Media Manager will oversee the development of integrated media strategies, guide channel and audience recommendations, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement through optimization and innovation. Working closely with Marketing Intelligence, Brand Marketing, CRM, Retail Marketing, and agency partners, the Media Manager will ensure media investments are aligned to MMNA priorities and deliver measurable business outcomes. This role reports to the Chief Marketing Officer. Role Summary: As Media Manager, you will serve as the strategic lead for MMNA's paid media program and agency relationships. You will guide annual, quarterly, and campaign-level planning, challenge assumptions, evaluate opportunities, and align media investments to business priorities. Success in this role requires strong strategic thinking, agency management expertise, leadership presence, analytical rigor, and the ability to translate complex media performance into actionable business recommendations for stakeholders and executives. As a Media Manager, You Will: Partner with the Media Agency of Record to develop integrated media plans that align with MMNA business objectives, vehicle priorities, and marketing goals. Lead annual, quarterly, and campaign-level media planning processes. Evaluate and review channel strategies, audience approaches, budget allocations, flighting recommendations, and measurement frameworks. Ensure media plans reflect consumer insights, vehicle priorities, seasonal business needs, competitive conditions, and budget realities. Advocate for innovative media solutions, emerging technologies, and new partnership opportunities that improve performance and business outcomes. Agency Leadership & Relationship Management Serve as MMNA's primary strategic liaison to the Media Agency of Record and key media partners. Provide clear direction, priorities, and expectations to agency teams. Evaluate agency recommendations and hold partners accountable for performance, quality, and business results. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across agency relationships. Lead strategic planning discussions, performance reviews, quarterly business reviews, and annual planning sessions. Budget Management & Financial Stewardship In partnership with CMO, manage MMNA's paid media investment across channels, campaigns, and business priorities while maintaining strict budget oversight. Monitor media spend, commitments, forecasts, and pacing to ensure investments remain within approved budgets and financial targets. Identify risks, overages, under-delivery, or reallocation opportunities and proactively recommend corrective actions. Oversee the Sr. Specialist, Business Accounting to support budget tracking, invoice reconciliation, accruals, and financial reporting processes. Performance Management & Optimization Champion a data-driven approach to media planning and performance management. Establish media performance expectations and accountability measures aligned to business goals. Review campaign performance, media effectiveness, and investment efficiency across channels. Partner with Marketing Science and Intelligence teams to ensure performance insights translate into actionable business recommendations. Guide optimization strategies and investment decisions across audience segments, channels, and media partners. Evaluate media effectiveness against key metrics including impressions, reach, engagement, KBAs, leads, website traffic, and other business objectives. Ensure learnings are documented and incorporated into future planning efforts. Leadership & Team Development Manage and develop the Sr. Specialist, Paid Media and Sr. Specialist, Business Accounting. Partner with Advertising, Retail Marketing, CRM, and agency teams to align business priorities, communication plans, and media strategies. Ensure media strategies support vehicle launches, retail initiatives, brand campaigns, and enterprise business goals. Build alignment among stakeholders and facilitate effective decision-making. Serve as a trusted advisor on media matters across the organization. Promote operational excellence, accountability, and continuous learning within the media function. Ready to Join the Team? You Should Have: 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in media planning, media strategy, or integrated marketing. 2+ years of experience successfully leading and developing direct reports. Experience managing agency relationships and leading strategic media planning initiatives. Strong understanding of paid media channels including search, social, online video, CTV/OTT, programmatic display, audio, and emerging platforms. Experience evaluating media performance and developing strategic optimization recommendations. Strong analytical, presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Experience building executive presentations and presenting recommendations to senior leadership. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. Pay Transparency: The base salary for this position ranges between$115,000 to $120,000. The base salary will be based on a number of factors including the role offered, the individual's job-related knowledge, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all eligible employees which also includes 401k with company match, Mitsubishi Lease Program, and a full range of medical, financial, and other perks and benefits. Perks and Benefits: Family First: Enjoy comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans. Be a Proud Mitsubishi Ambassador: Take advantage of our Discounted Employee Lease Car program, covering insurance, maintenance, and registration fees, with no down payment or credit check required. Drive with Perks: This position comes with a monthly car allowance, contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Secure Your Future: Benefit from our 401(k) with Company match and annual contributions based on years of service. Fuel Your Growth: Access professional development opportunities, including training, tuition reimbursement, and employee resource groups. Take Time for Yourself: Enjoy up to 30 days of paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and other leave options. Hybrid Working Environment: Experience the perfect balance of remote and in-office work (~2 days remote, 3 days in-office) at our modern office, located in the vibrant Franklin, TN area. Thrive in an Open Environment: Experience our collaborative workspace where ideas flow freely. #J-18808-Ljbffr