Job Title:
Senior Performance Media Specialist
Type of Position:
This position will begin as a long term / ongoing contract, with strong potential for direct hire conversion. There is no fixed end date. Conversion to direct hire may occur as early as 3-4 months, although most people will have a chance to convert between 6-12 months (depending on individual performance and business needs). Although direct hire is not guaranteed, it is a common outcome for high-performing team members, and most contractors in this role do transition to permanent positions over time.
Job Location:
Reston, VA (hybrid role).
Compensation:
$45.00/hr to $55.00/hr (depending on experience) to start. There may be some flexibility for well qualified candidates. Overtime paid at 1.5x over 40 hours.
Benefits:
- Available (health insurance, dental, vision, 401k, etc) – benefit eligibility will begin the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment.
- This role will have 14 paid holidays and 10 days PTO (PTO accrues over time).
Overview:
HRU Technical Resources is partnering with a major automotive manufacturer to hire a Senior Performance Media Specialist. In this role, we’re seeking an experienced media professional who will manage all key National In Market (NIM) campaigns and work closely to strategically align these plans with Dealers Tier 3 media efforts to maximize media effectiveness and support annual retail sales goals.
The person in this role will serve as the main point of contact for the performance media teams with our agencies as well as for key media vendors like Google and Meta. The specialist will stay current on emerging trends and technologies in the digital media landscape and make sure that our company is prepared to keep up with these changes. They will also work closely with internal stakeholders like Content team, Network, Incentives, Analytics and IT Security to develop data strategies, customer journeys, tracking and reporting.
This position directly supports the Manager of Media & Dealer Ops, with a core focus on helping company dealers maximize local advertising efforts through the coordination and implementation of Dealer Operations Marketing Programs. The ability to operate and optimize cross-tier within these programs is essential.
Responsibilities:
Performance Media Strategy & Execution (40%)
- Manage the implementation and launch of always-on performance media campaigns, and support seasonal sales campaign strategy and reporting.
- Develop and execute incremental media plans across programmatic, social, and search to meet business and market needs.
- Partner with the content team and creative agencies on asset needs and planning.
- Review campaign performance and drive in-campaign optimizations with the media agency.
- Ensure full-funnel strategic alignment across Tier 1 and Tier 3 performance media.
- Work with key vendors (Meta, Google, Yahoo, The Trade Desk) to drive innovation and efficiency.
Analytics & Data (25%)
- Manage all media measurement and campaign tagging, ensuring alignment between the analytics and media agencies to deliver insights through meaningful dashboards and reporting.
- Serve as lead for monthly executive and director-level media reporting.
- Lead privacy-readiness efforts and 1st Party Data strategy in partnership with Data Privacy, Legal, and IT Security to prepare for a tag-less future.
- Implement and drive adoption of new MarTech tools (e.g., CDP or data connectivity platforms) with the media agency.
- Partner with Digital Analytics to improve customer journey tracking, align media and website analytics, and build a measurement framework.
- Develop a yearly learning agenda and testing plan tied to business objectives.
Dealer Marketing Program & Regional Support (25%)
- Support the management and evolution of growing Dealer Operations Marketing Programs, including budget planning, daily maintenance, and program enhancements/guideline updates.
- Handle issue resolution at the regional and dealer level.
Agency & Vendor Management (10%)
- Serve as main point of contact for the agency's search, social, programmatic, and marketing sciences teams.
- Develop the annual U.S. Joint Business Plan with media partners and secure alpha, beta, testing, measurement, research, and added-value opportunities.
- Lead ongoing media package conversations for Tier 3 and NIM campaigns.
Skills, Education, Experience – Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
- 7-10 years of project management experience, with demonstrated ability to lead multiple cross-functional projects simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of digital advertising, internet technologies, website design, and related disciplines.
- Budget management experience.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, strategic planning, and conceptual thinking skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, including the ability to distill complex concepts for upper and executive management.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task in a rapidly changing environment.
- Strong influencing, negotiation, and collaboration skills, with a willingness to advocate for the field and retail organization.
- Self-starter who takes ownership of goals, offers creative solutions, and drives recommendations to implementation.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and knowledge of MS Project.
Skills, Education, Experience – Preferred:
- MBA or Master's degree.
- 3-5 years of agency-side or client-side experience.
- Automotive experience, ideally direct dealer experience in an OEM field organization or agency.
- Automotive dealership or provider experience.
- Familiarity with creative and production processes.
- Proven account management skills.
Work Environment / Other Info:
- This will be a 1st (day) shift role – Monday to Friday.
- This will be a hybrid role based in Reston, VA. Generally, 2 days remote, 3 onsite.
- Domestic travel a few times per year for field and dealer training and dealer/agency meetings.
- Occasional overtime may be possible. Any OT will be paid at 1.5x.
- Offer may be contingent upon a drug screen (which would include cannabis) and a background check.
- HRU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an employer of choice. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
How to Apply for This Job:
#HRUProfessional