Director, Strategy & Activation

Kepler executes engineered marketing, where every message and ad delivered helps create a more personalized and productive relationship between brands and their consumers. We do this by acting as clients’ agency of record, as their in-house team, or some hybrid of the two – and by harnessing data and technology across all paid digital media and data-driven CRM channels. Kepler prides itself on being a great place to work. In fact, we’re proud to share that AdAge recognized Kepler among the Best Place to Work in 2022, validating our investment in our team and our clients. We're transparent with our employees. You'll hear updates on company financials, how we're performing against bonus goals, and how we're responding to challenges we face. We're growing. For you, that means unparalleled growth opportunities and a role in shaping the direction of the company. We're fun. You'll work with and learn from the smartest people in the industry and have a blast doing it. THE ROLE The Director, Strategy & Activation position serves as the senior business lead across key client partnerships, with overall responsibility for account success, strategic direction, team leadership, and business growth. In this role, you will own and lead client relationships at the highest levels, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders while ensuring integrated media strategies drive measurable business outcomes. As a Director, you will balance strategic leadership with a strong understanding of performance media activation across Search, Social, Programmatic, Online Video, and emerging channels. You will guide teams in developing innovative, data-driven marketing solutions while fostering strong collaboration across internal disciplines. This role requires a leader who can effectively navigate complex client challenges, identify growth opportunities, and inspire teams to deliver exceptional results. You'll succeed as a Director, Strategy & Activation if you are a proven client leader with deep digital media expertise, exceptional business acumen, strong people management capabilities, and a track record of driving both client success and account growth. What You Will Do: Serve as the senior strategic and business lead across key client accounts, maintaining overall ownership of account health, client satisfaction, and performance outcomes Build and cultivate executive-level client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and primary strategic partner to senior client stakeholders Lead the development of integrated cross-channel media strategies spanning Paid Search, Paid Social, Programmatic/Display, Online Video, and emerging digital platforms Guide long-term account planning by aligning media strategy with clients' business objectives, growth priorities, and evolving market dynamics Oversee strategic direction across campaign planning, activation, optimization, budget allocation, measurement, and reporting to ensure programs deliver against business goals Identify opportunities to grow client partnerships through proactive strategic recommendations, innovation, testing initiatives, and expanded service offerings Translate complex performance data, market intelligence, and industry trends into clear business recommendations and executive-level narratives Lead high-impact client meetings, quarterly business reviews, annual planning sessions, and executive presentations Partner closely with channel specialists, analytics, creative, ad operations, and leadership teams to develop integrated solutions that drive measurable business impact Provide strategic oversight and leadership across multiple accounts, ensuring consistency, quality, and operational excellence throughout client programs Manage and develop a team of Associate Directors, Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts by providing coaching, mentorship, performance management, and career development support Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning across the team Contribute to agency growth initiatives through thought leadership, cross-functional collaboration, new business support, and process innovation Desired Skills and Experience: 8–10+ years of experience in digital media strategy, cross-channel planning, activation, and performance marketing Significant experience leading large-scale, integrated digital marketing programs across Paid Search, Paid Social, Programmatic/Display, and related performance media channels Demonstrated success owning senior client relationships and serving as a strategic advisor to executive-level stakeholders Proven experience leading account strategy and driving business outcomes across complex client portfolios Strong understanding of performance KPIs, attribution methodologies, audience strategy, measurement frameworks, and optimization approaches Deep familiarity with platforms such as Google Ads, SA360, Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, DV360, The Trade Desk, or similar media technologies preferred Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to connect performance insights to broader business objectives and growth opportunities Ability to balance strategic vision with a strong understanding of campaign execution and operational excellence Proven track record of identifying and driving account growth opportunities through innovative thinking and strategic leadership Experience managing and developing high-performing teams, including leadership of Associate Directors and other people managers Exceptional client-facing, presentation, written, and verbal communication skills Strong organizational, project management, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to navigate multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and team-oriented culture Transparency is fundamental to Kepler’s culture. Our compensation strategy is designed to attract, reward, and retain the talented employees that drive Kepler’s growth and success. We aim to offer competitive direct compensation and a rich indirect compensation program that demonstrates the value we place on our employees and their wellbeing. Total Compensation: Base Salary: $140,000 - $160,000 Target Annualized Discretionary Bonus: 10% ($14,000 - $16,000) Target Total Cash: $154,000 - $176,000 Benefits: Healthcare/Dental/Vision Unlimited PTO 401k Contributions $75/mo Wellness Stipend $100/mo Mobile Phone Stipend $50/mo Internet Stipend $500/yr Annual Learning Stipend $2,000/yr Annual Tuition Stipend One-time $200 New Hire Home Office Equipment Stipend Parental Leave - 16 week primary caregiver / 6 week secondary caregiver leave Annual Work From Anywhere 4 weeks per year Kepler is a people first organization. If this role piques your interest but you may not check every box, we still encourage you to apply! Studies show that imposter syndrome can prevent women and people of color from applying unless they meet every single qualification. We welcome all who are interested to apply, you just might be a great candidate for this role or others. Protect yourself from recruitment fraud. The only way to apply for a position at Kepler is by submitting a direct application via the Keplergrp.com website or working with a recruiter employed by Kepler with a @keplergrp.com email address. Learn how to stay safe by clicking here