Associate Director, Digital Direct Investment

About this role

Associate Director, Digital Direct Investment

• Media Trading
• Chicago, Illinois
• Starcom
• Specialist
• Hybrid
• 11/5/2026
• 180769
• 26-18968

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Job Description

Company description

Starcom is the world's first standalone media agency, a storied innovator that continues to lead the way for many of the world's best brands.

Starcom has long been the professional birthplace and proving ground for marketing leaders – CEOs, CMOs, sales leaders, and technology pioneers – and we continue to drive the industry with peerless talent and relentless innovation.

From the start, we've known that achieving growth for our clients requires understanding and connecting with real people where they live and work, in ways they value.

In an AI era, we remain ""Guided By Humanity,"" a phrase that describes our foundational belief that human expertise must remain in the driver's seat, supported by the best processes and technology.

With our proprietary capabilities and Publicis Media's industry-leading resources and clout, we create ideas that move people and drive transformative business outcomes for brands.

Overview

What You’ll Do: The Digital Investment Associate Director is responsible for managing the team that handles our clients’ day-to-day digital media buys, investments and operations. The Associate Director develops and implements processes and best practices to ensure digital investment success for our company and clients. The Associate Director works on a variety of accounts and understands our digital systems, data needs, and media buy structure to improve process efficiency. The ability to problem-solve and work well with various internal and external teams is a critical aspect of this role. This role provides the opportunity to work on cross-agency projects that drive business goals (both for Starcom and our clients) and increase efficiency across the agency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve processes to ensure data integrity and implement across the agency
• Share ideas and solutions for pain points/problems in processes; work alongside internal and external teams to develop best practices, enhancements, and tools to improve the
• Develop and implement processes to improve the work required for digital buying, client billing, and digital reconciliation
• Develop processes to ensure data integrity and implement across the agency
• Maintain a strong understanding of the systems used such as Mediaocean–Prisma digital buying tool, Ad Servers/Verification, DSPs, Social Platforms, DMPs, and internal proprietary tools
• Serve as an escalation point for teams to help troubleshoot operational issues
• Determine and activate how to deliver necessary data to teams for various reporting purposes
• Ensure proper digital contracts and terms are in place with vendors, evaluate IO notes requested by vendors
• Share best practices and learn from other teams in Publicis to ensure consistency and best work product across The Groupe
• Build and maintain strong relationships across multiple internal teams and leadership
• Maintain relationships with vendors to ensure trust and confidence with our buying partners
• Manage vendor-side billing and maintain close oversight of open items clearing
• Cultivate a team-focused mentality across the larger Investment Operations team
• Responsible for team management and development of Associates/Sr. Associates/Supervisors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably with a concentration in marketing, advertising, communications, business, sociology, or consumer insights
• 5+ years of related experience with 2+ years of management experience
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with a heavy focus on Excel
• Knowledge of agency billing process (client-side and/or vendor-side)
• Knowledge of digital planning and buying process with an understanding of various vendors, different cost methods, various reporting, and delivery validation
• Strong quantitative skills, including analytical abilities and math proficiency
• Willingness to learn and create solutions that challenge the status quo
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities with the ability to think unconventionally in proposing solutions
• A proven ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects effectively and work well under pressure to deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Proven experience in effectively coaching and developing others
• Experience in various media tools and systems

Additional information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email removed].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $97,375.00 - USD $139,965.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 1/1/2027.