Associate Director, Digital Media

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is a new communications company that helps brands and organizations reach audiences in a more effective and precise way. Its growing team of 700+ storytellers and strategists is shaping what's next in communications, with experience that spans consumer, technology, climate and sustainability, education, healthcare, philanthropy, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and arts and culture, to name a few. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.

People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow. 

ABOUT THE VERSUS MEDIA GROUP 

Versus Media Group is a strategy-first team with decades of experience as admakers and political strategists building campaigns, recruiting and coaching candidates, and driving victories. We offer hands-on strategic guidance, messaging consulting, creative production, and media planning and buying for both linear and digital placements. We work with clients to understand their fight and craft a winning strategy that optimizes the media they need to win.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We are seeking an Associate Director of Digital Media to join our growing paid media team. This role is ideal for a media professional ready to take on greater strategic ownership while remaining close to execution.

In this role, you'll lead digital paid media planning for clients in issue advocacy, public affairs, political campaigns, and related areas. You’ll manage daily client relationships, oversee campaign performance from strategy and planning to buying and reporting. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Digital, you'll collaborate closely with Account Directors and leadership to shape strategy, address challenges, and ensure campaigns deliver measurable impact.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on, comfortable building media plans, optimizing campaigns, leading client conversations, and effective project management in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Role location: This role is available within our offices in Washington, D.C., on a hybrid basis. The team is in-office at least 2-3 days per week. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

As the Associate Director, Digital Media on the Versus Media Group team, you will...

• Lead multiple client accounts at one time, most with multiple end-to-end, digital advertising campaigns; join weekly calls, present findings and proactive suggestions, actively participate in strategic conversations and collaborate to solve problems
• Develop paid media strategy, translating short- and long-term client goals to digital KPIs and maintaining a comprehensive work plan for internal and external teams
• Create media plans from scratch, taking big picture ideas and identifying the digital platforms and tactics that will help meet goals
• Manage and advise on the execution and optimization of digital ad campaigns across a variety of platforms, including Meta Business Manager, Google Ads, self-serviced DSPs,  and more
• Create and review detailed reports, providing the big-picture analysis, recommendations and actionable takeaways to senior client contacts
• Work with the accounts team to stay up-to-date on all client news, events and priorities
• Problem-solve and troubleshoot in ads platforms when crises inevitably arise
• Stay on top of digital advertising trends and ever-changing platform policies for political and cause-based advertisers; regularly share updates to internal and client teams on changes or new opportunities
• Work closely with the SVP of Digital to pitch new business and proactively seek out new client opportunities, tapping into your professional network for leads
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with external digital media buyers and vendors as necessary

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• 3-5  years of experience planning, buying, and managing paid digital media campaigns
• Demonstrated experience working on political advertising, advocacy, public affairs, or issue-based campaigns
• Familiarity with political and social issue advertising regulations and platform policies, strongly preferred
• Strong hands-on experience across major advertising platforms such as Meta, Google Ads, and programmatic partners (Stackadapt, MiQ, etc.)
• Proven ability to manage multiple campaigns and client accounts simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate performance data into strategic insights and recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to clients
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and consistent follow-through
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior team members, formally or informally

Preferred skills:

• Agency experience managing multi-channel campaigns
• Experience working in high-pressure, time-sensitive campaign environments

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Salary range (commensurate with experience and skills): $85,000 - $95,000

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