Senior Media Strategist

We’re looking for a savvy and analytical Brand Media Strategist to join our growing Marketing team. This role is ideal for someone who lives at the intersection of creativity and performance and understands how to bring visibility and influence of the brand to life through media. 

As our Brand Media Strategist, you’ll serve as the day-to-day lead for our external media agency, helping translate our brand goals into smart, scalable media plans across upper funnel media (TV, audio, Programmatic), partnerships, paid social, out of home and more. You’ll help guide campaign strategy, build annual and seasonal media plans, and evaluate ongoing performance to prove the impact of our investments.

This role is best suited for someone with hands-on media planning experience at a brand or agency, a solid grasp of modern media channels, and a strong desire to make media matter inside a dynamic retail organization with a growing brand.This individual should effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following main duties:

Media Planning & Strategy

• Develop and manage integrated brand media plans that align with brand and commercial priorities.

• Partner with marketing and cross-functional teams to identify media needs across key campaigns and seasonal moments.

• Support the strategic use of upper-funnel and mid-funnel media to drive awareness, consideration, and action.

Agency & Vendor Management

• Lead day-to-day communication and project management with our external media agency.

• Brief media partners with clarity and accountability; review and optimize media plans and performance.

• Oversee timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure flawless campaign execution.

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Performance & Reporting

• Track and report on media effectiveness using internal and external tools (e.g., media mix models, platform analytics, brand lift studies).

• Work with marketing analytics (both agency and internal) partners to build compelling narratives that prove the value of media to internal stakeholders.

• Use data to recommend optimizations and future planning decisions.
   

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the connective tissue across brand, retail, digital (incl. Performance media), and merchandising teams to ensure maximization of seasonal campaigns 

• Act as the liaison between brand partners with media coop and internal execution teams 

• Partner with the creative and social teams to ensure campaign creative is media-optimized across formats and channels.

• Stay informed on trends and innovations in the media landscape; identify new opportunities for the brand.

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Required Education and/or Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in media strategy, media planning, or integrated marketing—either at an agency, vertical brand or retailer

• Strong understanding of traditional, digital and social media platforms, paid and earned media buying, and channel roles across the funnel.

• Experience managing external partners and media budgets.
  Analytical mindset with ability to translate performance data into actionable insights to drive long term brand growth.

• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  Familiarity with media measurement tools and concepts (MMM, MTA, brand lift, reach/frequency, etc.)

• Passion for sport, fashion, and youth culture is a plus.

Required Computer and/or Technical Skills

Should have advanced knowledge and abilities with Google G Suite and intermediate knowledge of Cision or comparable media search tool.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift

• Use hands to finger, handle and feel

• Reach with hands and arms

• Talk and/or hear

• Walk or move from one location to another

• Occasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch

• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally

• Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.

• Average work week is 40-50 hours, which can vary depending on business need.

• The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting. 

• Up to 10% of the time spent traveling.

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per the company policy. Pay range: $67,000 - $85,000 (Depending on Experience); 15% bonus target. This role will be eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401k, sick leave, parental leave, and company paid time off plan.

#LI-DNI

Pay range: $67,000 - $85,000 (Depending on Experience); 15% bonus target. This role will be eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401k, sick leave, parental leave, and company paid time off plan.

This job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees.  Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. ​The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. 

EEO Statement:

The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws.  The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other characteristic or class protected by law.  The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices.

Need accessibility assistance to apply?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at  (317) 613-6890 or email us at talentacquisition@finishline.com.  A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.)