Job description
Company Description
Our agency client is seeking an experienced media planning leader to drive strategy and execution for a higher education client. This role requires a dynamic professional who can seamlessly flex between strategic leadership and hands-on execution within the agency’s integrated, channel-agnostic media approach. You’ll be embedded as an extension of the client’s brand team, bringing future-focused insights and media innovation to the competitive higher ed landscape.
Contract Details:
- 35-40 hours/week
- 6 month engagement, with strong likelihood to extend into 12 months
- Immediate start
- Looking for candidates based in Boston or NYC but the role will be remote. EST is ideal
- $65-70/hr
Job Description
Strategic Planning & Leadership:
- Develop comprehensive, multi-channel media strategies that address higher education recruitment challenges, including declining enrollment trends, changing demographics, and increased competition
- Lead the development of audience targeting approaches specific to prospective students, parents, guidance counselors, and transfer students across the enrollment funnel
- Translate institutional enrollment goals and marketing objectives into actionable media plans with clear KPIs tied to inquiry generation, application completion, and yield
- Present and defend media recommendations to client stakeholders, including admissions leadership and marketing teams
- Introduce innovative media tactics and emerging platforms relevant to reaching Gen Z and millennial audiences
Team & Budget Management:
- Direct workflow and mentor junior planning team members while maintaining individual contributor responsibilities
- Manage planning budgets ranging from $500K-$5M+ across traditional and digital channels
- Ensure team accountability for accurate budget tracking, pacing, and stewardship throughout recruitment cycles (early awareness through enrollment periods)
- Act as final checkpoint for all media documents, flowcharts, authorizations, and buying guidelines
Client & Vendor Partnership:
- Serve as primary planning contact for higher ed client, maintaining deep knowledge of institutional priorities, competitive landscape, and enrollment challenges
- Build and maintain relationships with media vendors specializing in education marketing (Spotify for Education, Snapchat Campus Stories, College Board, etc.)
- Foster strong internal collaboration between planning, buying, creative, and analytics teams
- Stay current on higher education marketing trends, regulations (FERPA, data privacy), and best practices
Qualifications
- 5-7 years of media planning experience, with at least 2 years in higher education, education technology, or youth-focused marketing
- Proven expertise developing integrated campaigns across: Video (Linear TV, CTV, OLV including YouTube and TikTok), Audio (Streaming, Podcast, Terrestrial Radio), Digital Display (Programmatic, Partnership), Social Media (Meta, Snapchat, TikTok), Search (Google, Bing), and Out-of-Home/DOOH
- Advanced proficiency with media research and planning tools: Nielsen (TV measurement), MRI-Simmons, Comscore, Telmar, Strata
- Demonstrated ability to analyze syndicated research and draw insights relevant to student audience behaviors
- Experience presenting to C-level stakeholders and defending strategic recommendations
- Strong understanding of enrollment marketing metrics and attribution modeling
IDEAL CANDIDATE DEMONSTRATES
- Deep knowledge of Gen Z media consumption habits and emerging platforms
- Experience navigating higher education recruitment cycles and key enrollment periods (National College Decision Day, FAFSA deadlines, etc.)
- Strategic thinking that balances brand building with performance-driven recruitment goals
- Ability to work within complex approval processes common in higher education institutions
- Track record of managing media during competitive pressure periods (application season, yield season)
Additional Information
We Are Rosie is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
