Strategic & Operations Media Lead

Stan

Stan is part of Nine Entertainment Co., Australia’s leading media and entertainment network, delivering compelling content as Australia’s leading local subscription service. We partner with Hollywood studios, international networks, and Australian producers to deliver content across Australia.

Stan is dedicated to creating Australia’s most innovative and high-end productions—Stan Originals—that are critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning, and loved by our subscribers. Stan Sport is also Australia’s home for the biggest moments in National and International sport. With the Olympic Games, Premier League, Rugby, Grand Slam Tennis, and so much more, our world-class storytelling and coverage combine to bring fans closer to the action.

By joining us, you will drive innovation and contribute to the exhilarating work that we do.

Job Description

As the Strategic & Operations Media Lead, you will be a pivotal leader within the Stan & Nine Group media team. You will bridge the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day delivery, owning key strategic projects that leverage the new consultancy model and positioning the in-house media team as a primary engine for business growth. You will lead the operationalisation of our collective team, ensuring executional excellence across Stan and Stan Sport, Total TV (TTV) (9 & 9Now), and Publishing. 

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A passionate and driven leader who constantly seeks to evolve and leads the team by example.

• A dedicated coach, focused on the continuous development of the team's capabilities and skills.

• A thought leader who helps set the strategic direction for the team but is also hands on.

• Someone who excels in a fast-moving, diverse environment that demands a responsive and data-driven approach.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership & Team Integration

• Operational Excellence: Lead the operationalisation of strategic media projects and implement new ways of working with key stakeholders and teams (Group activation, Campaign, Social, Comms, External Partners, etc…).

• Process Governance: Evolve and review existing processes to ensure best-in-class delivery for Stan, TTV, and Publishing.

• Cross-Functional Connectivity: Act as the central connector between the Investment Lead, Planning Lead, and Digital, Tech & Data Lead to ensure cohesive implementation.

2. Strategic Projects & Growth

• Strategic projects leadership: Identify, own and deliver key strategic projects, in partnership with any external partners, to drive innovation, or internal capabilities.

• Business Growth Engine: In collaboration with the Marketing team, proactively showcase the media team’s impact on business growth through high-level strategic thinking.

• Strategic Planning: Oversee all Brands Comms Approach & Media Strategy ​across all media including Performance and SEO.

• Measurement: Leverage the existing MMM to drive growth across the business and improve media effectiveness.

• Reporting & Analytics: Develop cadences and processes for the delivery of Business Reviews and media performance reporting to quantify business value.

3. Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Senior Relationships: Build and maintain mid-to-senior level relationships across teams and external partners.

• Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality of all documentation and media responses, ensuring they align with agreed strategy, planning principles and brand priorities.

• Portfolio Management: Oversee market and channel clashes across the group portfolio.

4. People Leadership

• Mentorship: Coach the team to develop their capabilities and growth.

• Training: Identify planning gaps and organise necessary upskilling sessions in coordination with lead specialists.

Experience & Competencies

• Experience: over 10 to 15 years in media agencies, with a proven track record in Account Management and leading complex accounts.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to focus on short-to-medium term brand strategies while overseeing complex executional tasks.

• Technical Literacy: Competence in digital and traditional channels, as well as an understanding of data and MarTech strategy.

• Commercial Acumen: Experience managing P&Ls, contract deliverables, and rigorous media metric performance analysis.

Additional Information

How we work
At Nine, our flexible work options vary by role and team. Depending on the position, this may include flexible hours, hybrid work, or part-time arrangements. We welcome discussing your flexibility needs during the hiring process - just ask the Talent Acquisition team.

Our employee benefits include:

• 18 weeks paid parental leave with no distinction between primary and secondary carers

• Access to 'Employee Exclusives' program - a way of getting closer to our incredible brands, offering unique experiences, behind-the-scenes access, and awesome perks.

• Digital newspaper subscription to our mastheads

• Annual gift voucher for Stan subscription

• More info at Nine Careers

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive Nine. From day one, you'll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work and will be supported to perform at your best.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, and of all ages, genders, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures as we recognise the importance and value of diverse perspectives. Should you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please advise us when you apply.

Work rights: Please note to apply for this role you must already have the right to lawfully work and live in Australia.