Senior Media Strategist/Buyer

Job Summary

The Senior Media Strategist/Buyer will specialize in media strategy, operations, planning, and buying, blending strategic leadership with hands-on campaign execution, media spend analysis, and client engagement to enhance paid media performance and customer retention across key accounts. 

This role will lead the negotiation and development of comprehensive media strategies and oversee successful execution of comprehensive media campaigns across all channels - Radio, Television, Print, Outdoor (OOH), and Digital to drive measurable results and long-term client partnerships. It will analyze media investments, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients through ongoing communication, reporting, and in-person meetings. It will champion a customer-centric approach, ensuring that campaigns are aligned with client objectives while maximizing performance, efficiency, and return on investment. 

This position is a full-time, hybrid role, open to candidates residing in/within reasonable commuting distance from the Fargo, ND office.

Essential Functions

• Omni-Channel Execution: Plan and execute media buys across local/national TV, terrestrial/streaming radio, consumer/trade print, and various OOH formats (billboards, transit, etc.)
• Digital Integration: Manage paid digital media campaigns, including display, video, and social media, ensuring that they complement traditional advertising efforts.
• Negotiation & Partnerships: Negotiate the best possible rates, added value, and placements with media vendors and station representatives.
• Data Management: Utilize media buying software to manage orders, track performance, and reconcile billing. Establish and maintain tracking parameters using GA4 and GTM to measure relevant user actions and campaign success. Utilize data visualization tools to translate complex performance data into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders and clients.
• Performance: Monitor campaign delivery, provide oversight for traditional media, and optimize digital campaigns in real-time. Oversee campaign execution and ongoing optimizations for key accounts, ensuring that delivery, performance, and client expectations are met.
• Analysis: Analyze media spend and performance metric data to optimize budget efficiency, pacing, and ROI, providing clear recommendations based on data-driven insights. Conduct in-depth campaign analysis and compile detailed monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc performance reports for clients of variable scale and complexity.
• Client Collaboration: Collaborate closely with the account and creative teams to ensure that media strategies align with the brand’s visual and messaging goals.
• Research: Assist with market research and audience analysis, including definition of audience segments using Boolean logic and other targeting methodologies.
• Demo: Present advertising platforms for prospective self-service customers and assist self-service clients with campaign setup, management, and reporting. 

Qualifications

• Education: Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in a client-facing media, digital advertising, or marketing role.  Agency experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of developing media strategies, managing complex campaigns, optimizing performance, and delivering results aligned with client objectives.
• Technical Proficiency: Proven expertise utilizing media buying and planning software (e.g., Strata, Advantage, Mediaocean, or Commspoint).
• Digital Savvy: Familiarity with DSPs, Google Ads, and Meta Ads Manager. Proficiency in data visualization and reporting, with the ability to present insights clearly and confidently. Proficiency in Google Workspace tools, especially Google Sheets and Google Slides.
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to translate complex data sets into clear, actionable reports for clients. Along with media spend analysis, performance measurement, and optimization.
• Detail Oriented: High level of accuracy in budget tracking and contract reconciliation.
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate client objectives into effective media strategies.
• Segmentation and Personas: Experience defining and activating audience segments using Boolean logic and advanced targeting techniques, as well as defining personas and ideal customers for marketing campaigns directed towards specific audiences. 
• Communication Skills: Strong presentation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Excellent client relationship management skills with a focus on satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, a driving record that is insurable by the company, and carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required.

Expected compensation for this role is between $73,000 and $90,000/year, based on qualifications and experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Forum Communications Company is a family-owned media and technology leader with more than a century of delivering trusted, quality journalism and innovative business solutions. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are, but today, we’re so much more than a newspaper. As one of the Upper Midwest’s leading media organizations, we’re driving the future across print and digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and full-service agency advertising.

Our teams are made up of passionate, purpose-driven people who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. Along with a competitive benefits package, you’ll find real opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact within a culture that celebrates ideas, values people, and knows how to have fun along the way. Come for the perks. Stay for the community.

Forum Communications Company offers the following to all Full-Time and 32-Hour Benefited employees:

• Health, dental, and vision packages
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
• Retirement benefits with company match
• Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.