Associate Director Investment

Job Description

Kelly Scott Madison—KSM—is a leading, independent media and advertising agency that futureproofs brands and fuels business growth. Our team of strategists, solutionists, technologists, and data analysts work united alongside incredible brand partners, helping them connect with customers in more meaningful ways today and positioning them to move with the customers of tomorrow. It’s always an amazing and transformative time at our growing media agency.

At KSM, it’s about more than just a passion for our industry and craft. It’s about the impact we make on the lives and livelihoods of those around us, and the highly personal experience we have here. Being an independent, mid-size agency—not too big, not too small, and proudly entrepreneurial—you’ll be empowered, recognized, and challenged to grow here. We’re adding new Bold Builders and uncommon perspectives to our community and can’t wait to learn more about you. But first, let’s explore the opportunity…

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and people-centered Associate Director, Investment to help shape the next chapter of local investment excellence at KSM. This role is ideal for a media investment leader who knows how to turn strategy into action, build trusted relationships, and elevate both the work and the team behind it. You’ll play a key role in leading local Video & Audio investment and supporting Out-of-Home strategy, partnering across disciplines to deliver smart, scalable solutions that drive strong client outcomes and continued agency growth.

If you’re energized by building smarter investment strategies, strengthening partner and client confidence, and mentoring talent in a fast-moving, collaborative environment, this is an opportunity to make visible impact while growing your leadership footprint at KSM.

Why this role is great:

• You’ll have the opportunity to help shape how KSM approaches local investment strategy across high-impact client businesses and evolving media channels.
• You’ll work alongside smart, collaborative leaders and cross-functional teams who value strong thinking, strong partnerships, and strong results.
• You’ll be able to blend strategic leadership, investment rigor, innovation, and people development in a role with meaningful visibility and influence.
• You’ll help strengthen a growing investment discipline while contributing to the bold, entrepreneurial energy that defines KSM.

Position summary:

As an Associate Director, Investment, you will help lead the strategic development and stewardship of KSM’s local Video & Audio investment practice, while also supporting broader local investment initiatives including Out-of-Home. This is a leadership role for someone who can confidently guide investment strategy, raise the standard of execution, and create clarity across complex client and marketplace dynamics. You will partner closely with planning, client leadership, and media partners to develop performance-driven recommendations, build scalable frameworks, and identify opportunities that strengthen outcomes for clients while advancing KSM’s investment capabilities.

Key responsibilities and the ways you’ll make an impact:

• Lead local investment strategy across assigned business, with a focus on Video & Audio and support for Out-of-Home, ensuring recommendations are aligned to client goals, audience insights, and market opportunity.
• Partner with planning, client leadership, and activation teams to translate strategy into clear investment direction, practical frameworks, and high-quality execution.
• Provide leadership across pre- and post-buy stewardship, schedule analysis, proof-of-performance, and optimization recommendations to ensure investment rigor and accountability.
• Help advance pricing standards, negotiation strategy, and investment governance to improve consistency, value creation, and scalable ways of working across the discipline.
• Build trusted relationships with media partners and internal stakeholders to identify new opportunities, solve challenges quickly, and support smarter investment decisions.
• Coach and develop team members through hands-on leadership, clear feedback, and ongoing capability building that strengthens both individual growth and team performance.
• Stay fluent in marketplace shifts, emerging partners, and evolving local media opportunities to bring fresh, forward-looking thinking to clients and KSM teams.

Qualifications and experience required:

• 7+ years of local media buying, investment, or related experience within a media agency or similar environment, with strong depth in Linear Video & Audio and additional exposure to Streaming and Out-of-Home a plus.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong expertise in local media strategy, investment stewardship, negotiation, and performance analysis, along with the judgment to make smart, balanced decisions in a fast-moving environment.
• Established relationships with vendors, partner management teams, and media representatives preferred.
• Hands-on experience with media buying systems such as Mediaocean (Spectra OX and Prisma) and common industry tools including Nielsen, SQAD, and SRDS.
• Strong analytical and mathematical aptitude, with the ability to interpret performance data, uncover insights, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and monday.com.

What success looks like:

• Within 3 months, you’ve built strong credibility across clients, partners, and internal teams, gained a clear view of current opportunities, and begun elevating the consistency and quality of local investment strategy and execution.
• By 6 months, you’ve strengthened investment leadership across assigned business, helped advance scalable best practices, and made a visible impact on team development, cross-functional collaboration, and partner confidence.
• By the end of year one, you’ve helped shape a stronger, smarter local investment discipline at KSM—driving better outcomes for clients, deeper trust across teams, and meaningful progress in building a high-performing investment organization.

Benefits we offer:

We’ve got you covered – and we’re not just referring to robust health insurance. To us, coverage is about supporting your full experience and whole self, from inclusive benefits, flexibility, and an appreciation for time away, to recognition, professional development, and growth opportunities.

• Talent Enablement: Career pathing, integrated learning ecosystem, mentorship, and employee recognition
• Financial: Competitive compensation,401(k) with company match, pre-tax programs, referral rewards, and a remote work reimbursement
• Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision, pet, and life), onsite fitness center covered 100%, discounted membership rates at partner gyms and access to virtual fitness classes, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and curated opportunities to nurture your breaktime
• Balance: Personalized Paid Time Off (i.e., “Unlimited PTO”), remote work flexibility, paid parental leave (maternity, paternity, and adoption), and a variety of Employee Resource Groups
• Giving Back: Volunteer opportunities and corporate donation matching through KSM Cares Outreach, our Corporate Social Responsibility program