Data Axle is a leader in data solutions that drive meaningful connections between companies and people. We harness data, AI, and technology to create authentic, personalized experiences to improve our clients’ business performance. Recognized for delivering innovative B2B and B2C solutions and exceptional service for more than five decades, our global team is dedicated to helping businesses and nonprofits of all sizes thrive. We are currently seeking a Sr. Director of Strategy
General Summary:
The Sr. Director, Strategy is a leadership role responsible for architecting and driving full-funnel, data-driven paid media strategies across Data Axle’s agency client portfolio. This position leads omnichannel media planning and execution—focusing primarily on paid search, paid social, programmatic display, CTV, online video, and emerging platforms but also working with other channel SMEs including email, direct mail and OOH to produce well rounded strategies. This role will partner closely with internal teams in Strategy, Creative, Data & Analytics, ad operations and marketing technology to deliver measurable client outcomes. As part of Data Axle’s agency practice this leader will leverage the company’s proprietary data assets, including its extensive consumer and business data profiles, to activate privacy-first, insight-led media programs that drive acquisition, retention, and loyalty for clients.
Integrated Media Strategy
- Own omnichannel paid media strategy across paid search, paid social, programmatic display, CTV, online video, affiliate, and emerging platforms for a diverse client portfolio.
- Translate client business goals into actionable media plans including budget allocation, channel mix rationale, testing roadmaps, KPI frameworks, and measurable business outcomes.
- Align paid, owned, and organic efforts to ensure cohesive messaging, channel sequencing, and measurable outcomes across the full marketing funnel.
- Provide strategic leadership as well as oversight ofplanning, pacing, optimization, and performance governance across all client campaigns, ensuring delivery against client KPIs.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for clients on paid media strategy and execution, building and managing senior client relationships with clarity and confidence.
Audience Strategy and Data Activation
- Leverage Data Axle’s proprietary first-party data assets,client first-party data assets,Audience360® platform, and third-party data capabilities to activate privacy-compliant, insight-driven audience segments across paid media channels.
- Design cross-channel consumer journeys aligned to client audience personas and growth priorities,identifyingkey intent moments across the funnel.
- Partner with Lifecycle Marketing and Creative teams to align paid media with client retention, upsell, and re-engagement strategies.
Performance, Measurement, and Client Reporting
- Define and track performance KPIs including CPA, ROAS, LTV:CAC ratio, and engagement metrics;optimizecampaigns toward client-specific growth targets.
- Partner with Marketing Technology and Analytics teams to support privacy-compliant measurement, attribution modeling, incrementality testing, and executive dashboards.
- Create compelling performance narratives that connect media investments to client business outcomes, translating complex data into executive-ready insights and strategic recommendations.
- Manage and present regular and ad-hoc client performance reviews; deliver forecasting, upsell opportunities, and other revenue-oriented communications to agency leadership.
Innovation and Platform Leadership
- Establishstandards for testing, experimentation, and media quality across platforms, including incrementality testing, lift studies, creative testing, and audience validation experiments.
- Evaluate emerging platforms, AI-driven media tools, and targeting capabilities to improve scale, efficiency, and competitive differentiation for clients.
- Continuously assess and adopt advanced measurement approaches, including Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) and multi-touch attribution, that help clients better understand investment and performance connections.
- Be a leader in the evaluation and adoption of AI tools in alignment with Data Axle data policiesto enhance bothperformance and results.
Supportive Job Functions:
- Travel to othercompany locationsand client locations as needed.
- Support sales teams to pitch and win new business, contributing paid mediaexpertiseto proposals and client presentations.
- Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned by management.
*These tasks do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of essential job functions and usually equal 5% or less of time spent. However, these tasks still constitute important performance aspects of the job.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:
- Deep expertise in full-funnel paid media orchestration across paid search, paid social, programmatic, CTV, display, audio, and emerging platforms including Google Ads, Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and leading DSPs. Experience with other channels including email, direct mail and OOH efforts is a positive.
- Strong analytical literacy including GA4 interpretation, attribution modeling, incrementality testing, MMM, KPI development, and media forecasting.
- Experience activating first-party and third-party data within privacy-compliant frameworks; familiarity with data management platforms and identity resolution tools is preferred.
- Proven ability to architect scalable multi-channel media plans with clear budget allocation, channel mix rationale, testing agendas, and measurable business outcomes.
- Translate complex performance data into clear, executive‑ready narratives and recommendations while building thought leadership on media, consumer behavior, and measurement to position Data Axle as a leader in data‑driven omnichannel strategy.
- Understanding of how creative strategy, messaging, and content intersect with audience behavior and platform context to drive conversion and engagement.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; effective communicator who can partner across Account Management, Data & Analytics, Marketing Technology, and Creative teams.
- Technically curious mindset with comfort evaluating AI-driven media tools, emerging ad technologies, and advanced measurement solutions.
- Effectively prioritize and manage concurrent work while coaching and developing strategic, media, and analytical skill sets across the team.
Education, Experience, and Certification:
- 10+ years of experience in paid media and/or integrated digital marketing, with a minimum of 3–5 years in a leadership role at a marketing agency or in-house brand environment.*
- Demonstrated success leading paid media programs that drive measurable acquisition, retention, and revenue outcomes for B2B and/or B2C clients.*
- Proven track record of building and managing senior client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations to executive audiences.*
- Prior experience managing and coordinating with cross-functional teams including ad operations, account managers, and channel specialists.
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant industry certifications (Google, Meta, etc.) preferred.
*Minimum requirements needed to perform the job.
Scope of Job:
- 2 or more direct reports, including media strategists, channel specialists, and ad operations team members.
- Multi-client management with accountability for paid media revenue, portfolio growth, and upsell opportunities.
- Working conditions are good with a consistent workweek; some travel may be required for client meetings and industry events.
- Contact with others inside the entire company and outside is regular and frequent, spanning client stakeholders, agency leadership, and cross-functional internal teams.
- Regular access to confidential client data, media performance data, budget information, and proprietary Data Axle data assets.
Where required, Data Axle will provide the compensation range for this role upon request. Please contact us or email us at [email protected] to receive compensation and benefits information for this role. Please include the job title and/or job ID of the role you are interested in.
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