Media Strategy & Planning Lead

Join Our Creative and Media Team

This role is part of our Creative and Media team based in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Our team is a vibrant mix of talents, ranging from Creatives, Influencer Marketers, Brand & Content Strategists to Account Managers, Programmatic and Marketing Automation Consultants. Together, we blend imaginative storytelling and performance-driven strategies with cutting-edge technology to create engaging digital experiences that build lasting relationships with our clients like Netflix, Canva, Foot Locker, Philips & Biscoff. 🎨

JOB PURPOSE

We believe impactful media comes from a holistic understanding of consumers, culture, channels, content, and commerce. Success in this space requires balancing creativity with analytical rigor to drive meaningful connections and business growth. You appreciate the interplay of art and science in media strategy and can flex between both as needed.

We are seeking a Media Strategy & Planning Lead to join our dynamic team of growth marketers. This leadership role is both strategic and hands-on, driving client success while expanding our agency’s capabilities within the Creative & Media team.

In this role, you will define what best-in-class integrated media strategy and planning looks like. You will shape processes, refine methodologies, and implement strategies across various industries (B2C and B2B). Collaboration is key—you will work closely with business development, client partners, creative, data science, analytics, technology, and activation teams to retain and grow client relationships.

You bring extensive experience in media planning, strategy, buying, and activation, ideally with nationally and internationally recognized brands. You understand both digital and traditional channels and can integrate paid, owned, and earned media into a cohesive marketing communications plan. Your background in Communications or Connections Planning enables you to work seamlessly with creative, content, PR, brand, and other marketing disciplines to craft holistic consumer experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Client Partnership

• Elevate client ambitions with strategic insights that drive proactive, growth-oriented solutions.
• Champion client success through a deep understanding of their business and industry landscape.
• Act as an extension of client teams, fostering strong, trust-based relationships.
• Identify business growth opportunities and develop strategic recommendations to expand client relationships.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the Integrated Planning & Strategy practice within the global Creative & Media team at DEPT.
• Advocate for a data-driven approach to business, branding, and consumer engagement.

Media Strategy & Planning

• Lead the development of full-funnel, data-driven media strategies.
• Translate consumer, commerce, and content insights into actionable media strategies and activation plans.
• Leverage first-party data to inform strategic opportunities and campaign execution.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscapes.
• Utilize data insights to craft compelling media narratives that inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop comprehensive communication plans that encompass objectives, KPIs, audience segmentation, channel mix, budget allocation, and measurement frameworks.
• Collaborate with internal teams—including Client Services, Creative, Activation, and Decision Sciences—to ensure cohesive and effective media campaigns.
• Lead and participate in new business development efforts and growth initiatives.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• 6+ years of experience in omni-channel media strategy, planning, and activation, with expertise in digital media; traditional media experience is a plus.
• 2+ years in Integrated Marketing Communications, Communications Planning, or Connections Planning, with a focus on Paid, Owned, and Earned media strategies across multiple channels, including website, email, app, content, partnerships, and sponsorships.
• Proven experience working with large national and global brands in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments (e.g., inter-agency teams collaborating with clients, creative agencies, content teams, and other media agencies) around major brand moments, tentpoles, and events, including sponsorships and partnerships.
• Extensive experience in 360, cross-channel media strategy and media planning across Paid, Owned, and Earned channels (including website, email, app, content, events, experiential).
• In-depth understanding of what it takes to plan, launch, and optimize campaigns across major digital platforms (e.g., Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, programmatic DSPs, direct buys), including media buying benchmarks, rates, and transactional/optimization metrics (e.g., CPM, CPV, CPI, etc.).
• Exceptional communication skills—able to craft and present compelling strategic narratives to both junior and senior stakeholders, in person and virtually.
• Deep understanding of the relationship between brand and performance media and how they drive overall marketing success.
• Strong problem-solving skills, blending creativity with analytical thinking.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and client relationship management abilities.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and navigating complex organizational dynamics.
• Proficiency with industry research and planning tools (e.g., ComScore, MRI, GWI, Kantar, Pathmatics).
• Willingness to travel for meetings and industry events as required.

WE OFFER

• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, has been named a Great Place To Work since 2022 in the Netherlands and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big, small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with all of them. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office, depending on location) and the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year.
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs. Develop your skills with courses and programs tailored to your needs.
• Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
• Get a discount on your lease bike and ride in style. You can also enjoy hassle free-commutes with an NS Business Card.

WHO ARE WE?

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.