Associate Media Director, Performance Marketing
1 day ago
Chicago
***This is a HYBRID role (onsite M/W/TH) located in either our Milwaukee or Chicago office. Morning Walk is a Performance Branding Company that seeks to create healthy brand ecosystems through a balance of purpose, experience, and performance to drive growth. We’ve built a team of insatiably curious thinkers and makers, relentlessly dedicated to craft, unapologetically optimistic, and always moving forward. Our core disciplines include strategic consulting, creative design, content development, experience design, performance marketing, Integrated Comms, CRM and Analytics. Our "Walkers" or employees are the best in the business. We are fortunate to have a portfolio of passionate, purpose-led clients, and are privileged to work on their exciting, dynamic brands across myriad industries and sectors – from Kalahari Resorts & Conventions to innovative doors from Masonite, from car batteries (Clarios/OPTIMA) to snowplows (Toro/BOSS). We are powered by data and ideas and fueled by the energy of our people and clients. Our relentless and persistent optimism means we put our best foot forward, build on our solid foundation, and start each day new with the goal of creating an environment of growth and discovery – both personally and professionally. Motion is contagious, and we’re going places. Won’t you join us? What We’re Seeking Job Summary: At Morning Walk, we’re looking for an Associate Media Director, Performance Marketing to lead integrated media strategy across a portfolio of dynamic client accounts. This role sits at the intersection of media, analytics, and client leadership, guiding cross-channel performance marketing initiatives that drive measurable business growth. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and hands-on performance leader with expertise across paid social, search, programmatic, CTV, and emerging digital platforms. You’ll leverage tools like Google Analytics 4 to uncover actionable insights, optimize campaign performance, and translate complex data into clear strategic direction. As a key client partner and team leader, you’ll help shape full-funnel media strategies, mentor performance marketing teams, and champion a culture of insight-driven optimization and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in delivering innovative, high-performing work that reflects Morning Walk’s mission of motion, optimism, and energy. This is a HYBRID role (onsite M/W/TH) located in either our Milwaukee or Chicago office. Job Duties/Responsibilities: Media Strategy & Planning • Lead development and oversight of integrated, full-funnel media strategies across digital channels., • Develop and guide cross-channel strategies across paid social, search, programmatic, CTV, and emerging platforms, • Translate client business goals into measurable media strategies and KPI frameworks, • Define channel roles, audience strategy, budget allocation, and optimization plans, • Ensure alignment between media strategy and client objectives, including revenue, bookings, lead generation, and customer acquisition, • Continuously refine media plans based on campaign performance, market trends, and audience insights Data, Analytics & Insights Leverage analytics platforms and data insights to drive strategic decision-making and performance optimization. • Utilize Google Analytics 4 and platform reporting tools to analyze user behavior and conversion paths, • Identify performance drivers, audience opportunities, and conversion drop-off points, • Build and refine audience segments using behavioral and first-party data, • Translate complex data into actionable recommendations that inform media strategy, audience targeting, and creative direction, • Ensure reporting evolves beyond metrics into meaningful insight-to-action recommendations Client Leadership & Communication Serve as the primary strategic lead and trusted advisor for assigned clients. • Lead client planning sessions, optimization reviews, and performance discussions, • Present strategic insights and recommendations clearly, confidently, and consultatively, • Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and identify opportunities for account growth, • Partner with clients to align media strategies with evolving business priorities, • Provide proactive communication around campaign performance, opportunities, and risks Performance Management & Optimization Oversee campaign performance and lead optimization initiatives across accounts. • Monitor performance across channels to ensure alignment with KPIs such as CPA, CPL, ROAS, and conversion rate, • Develop and execute structured testing roadmaps across audiences, creative, landing pages, and channels, • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scale, and overall campaign effectiveness, • Apply learnings and best practices across campaigns and accounts to drive continuous improvement, • Guide teams in optimization prioritization and strategic decision-making Team Leadership & Development Mentor and support the growth and development of the Performance Marketing team. • Provide guidance on strategy development, analytics interpretation, and client communication, • Coach team members to improve strategic thinking, execution quality, and problem-solving skills, • Act as a senior resource for troubleshooting campaign and account challenges, • Support team collaboration, workflow management, and knowledge sharing, • Foster a culture of accountability, curiosity, and continuous learning Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner across departments to ensure alignment and execution of integrated marketing strategies. • Collaborate with creative teams to align messaging, formats, and creative strategy with audience insights, • Partner with analytics teams to validate tracking, attribution, and reporting accuracy, • Work closely with account teams to align on client goals, communication, and strategic priorities, • Ensure all cross-functional teams are aligned around unified campaign objectives and performance outcomes Skills: • Advanced expertise in performance marketing strategy across paid social, search, programmatic, and CTV platforms, • Deep understanding of Google Analytics 4, including audience development, attribution, and conversion analysis, • Strong ability to translate data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations, • Experience leading full-funnel media planning and optimization initiatives, • Strong understanding of KPI frameworks, attribution models, and performance measurement methodologies, • Excellent communication, presentation, and client relationship management skills, • Ability to manage multiple accounts, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment, • Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities, • Detail-oriented with strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills Education and Experience: • 6–8+ years of experience in performance marketing, media strategy, or digital analytics, • Experience managing multi-channel media campaigns and large-scale media budgets, • Proven client-facing experience within an agency or similar environment, • Experience with platforms and tools such as Meta Ads Manager, Google Ads, GA4, Looker Studio, Skai, DSP platforms, Salesforce, HubSpot, or Shopify, • Familiarity with audience onboarding, CDPs, attribution methodologies, and data integrations preferred Physical Requirements: This role involves spending time at a desk and working on a computer for extended periods, using standard office equipment, reviewing documents, and communicating regularly with others by email and phone. Team members may also occasionally need to move around the office (if on-site) or their home workspace to access materials and should be able to travel as needed for client meetings, team collaboration, or industry events. Equal Opportunity & Accommodations: Morning Walk is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Reasonable accommodations are available to help individuals with disabilities perform the essential functions of the job. Disclaimer: This job description provides an overview of the role but is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may evolve over time. Employment with Morning Walk is at-will.