Freelance Manager, Media Planning

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:

As a Freelance Manager of Integrated Media Strategy & Planning, you are the engine room of our strategic output. You will bridge the gap between high-level strategy and tactical execution, ensuring that our "art and science" approach is applied consistently across all media touchpoints. You are a hands-on practitioner who understands how to translate client business goals into actionable strategies and media plans that connect consumers, culture, and commerce. This role requires a blend of creative thinking and analytical rigor to move "hearts and minds" while delivering measurable growth.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead the day-to-day development of holistic communication plans, ensuring a seamless connection between paid, owned, earned, and shared (POES) media.
• Transform complex data sets and audience insights into clear, strategic narratives that guide our creative and activation teams.
• Manage the execution of omnichannel, full-funnel media strategies, balancing brand-building initiatives with performance-driven tactics.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, presenting strategic recommendations and providing expert guidance on the media landscape.
• Partner with Creative, Content, and Data teams to ensure that media placements are contextually relevant and high-performing.
• Oversee the setup of campaign KPIs and measurement frameworks, ensuring we can clearly demonstrate media’s impact on client business results.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Associate-level team members, fostering their growth within the Integrated Strategy & Media craft.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• 2-4 years of experience in omni-channel media strategy, planning, or activation within an agency environment.
• Deep knowledge of the digital media ecosystem, including social, search, programmatic, and emerging platforms.
• Proficiency with industry-standard research and planning tools (e.g., GWI, MRI-Simmons, ComScore, or Pathmatics).
• Proven ability to synthesize first-party and third-party data into actionable insights and "aha!" moments.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to articulate a persuasive point of view to both internal stakeholders and clients.
• Experience navigating the "art and science" of media—you are as comfortable with a spreadsheet as you are in a creative concepting session.
• A "relentlessly curious" mindset with a track record of staying ahead of marketing trends and new technology.

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle, or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.