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Tombras, a 400+ person, full-service, national advertising agency with a digital mindset, is seeking a Media Director.
Where you’ll be working: Knoxville. Relocation assistance may be provided.
We’re seeking a Media Director to lead one of the most dynamic and complex accounts in the agency—managing over $130 million in annual media investment across performance and brand channels. This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where strategic vision, operational rigor, and a clear grasp of business outcomes are expected and valued. The ideal candidate brings both the polish of holding company pedigree and the pragmatism of a results-first operator,
You will guide integrated media strategy for a national healthcare client, leading a dedicated cross-functional media team and collaborating with stakeholders across analytics, brand planning, and executive leadership. This role requires a leader who can set direction, command a room, and deliver measurable impact—while being deeply embedded in the tactical realities of performance media, traditional channels, and the evolving media landscape.
What you will be doing:
- Serve as the strategic lead across all media efforts for the account, driving full-funnel planning with a strong emphasis on performance (search, social, programmatic) as well as traditional channels (TV, radio, OOH).
- Translate client business goals into sophisticated media strategies that drive meaningful outcomes—awareness, conversions, appointments, and brand equity.
- Develop comprehensive media plans and POVs with strong rationales, connecting investment to business results.
- Collaborate closely with account service and analytics to ensure strategic alignment and executional excellence.
- Oversee a core team of AMDs, Supervisors, and Associates, while leading cross-functional groups in a matrixed environment.
- Elevate the agency’s thinking with a clear understanding of market trends, media research, and innovations across media, measurement, and consumer behavior.
- Champion outcome-based media approaches rooted in effectiveness, not vanity metrics.
- Present directly to senior client stakeholders and represent the agency in high-stakes discussions that require fluency in strategy, media economics, and data-informed planning.
- Mentor and develop talent, instilling a sense of ownership, accountability, and strategic maturity across the team.
What you bring:
- A strategic media leader with at least 10 years of progressive experience in media planning and buying—ideally at a leading holding company agency or equivalent.
- Adept at balancing brand and performance objectives within integrated plans; you’ve led significant campaigns across both digital and traditional channels.
- Experienced with national-scale clients and familiar with the expectations and pace that come with managing nine-figure budgets.
- Comfortable operating in executive-level rooms, and experienced collaborating with high-level consultants or advisory firms in fast-moving, data-driven environments.
- Deeply familiar with media KPIs, yet always focused on tying those to meaningful business outcomes (e.g., appointments booked, ROAS, patient starts).
- Capable of working cross-functionally with analytics, data science, and business intelligence teams—even if not building the models yourself.
- A calm and commanding presence—level-headed under pressure and decisive when it matters most.
- A builder of teams and culture, motivated by helping others thrive and elevating standards across the board.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in healthcare, regulated industries, or high-consideration consumer journeys (e.g., financial services, education).
- Strong knowledge of tools such as MediaOcean, DCM (or equivalent ad servers), and familiarity with media performance platforms.
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field preferred.
- Strong Excel, Google Workspace, and presentation skills (Keynote, PowerPoint)
Why Join Tombras' Media team?
We're a media person's dream: data AND creatively driven. Work with leading clients in a variety of categories, working daily with award-winning channel teams and we are industry leaders in building cutting edge partnerships, driving innovation, storytelling and bringing it all together with our top-notch analytics practice.
Why you’ll want to work at Tombras:
You’ll be joining one of the top independent agencies in North America. Connecting Data & Creativity for Business Results® is working for our clients and creating a flywheel affect fueling both client and agency growth. You’ll be a part of a highly creative agency that has been recognized by AdAge, Adweek, Communication Arts, Fast Company, Forbes and Fortune. Tombras was recently named 2025 AdAge Agency of the year and 2024 AdAge Independent Agency of the Year.
Tombras Benefits:
Family - It comes first, on every list. Tombras has been family-run since day 1, we strive to facilitate a family-oriented environment rooted in supporting one another.
Dog-friendly offices
Unlimited PTO
Generous parental leave for primary and non-primary caregivers.
Medical (PPO or High Deductible option) for employee + dependents
401(k) Participation
Employer-paid Dental & Vision
A company culture of promotions from within and an atmosphere allowing for varied and rapid career development.
New, Modern building in Downtown Knoxville
Tombras is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Tombras is an E-Verify employer and participates in the E-Verify program.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Job may require traveling overnight, driving long distances as required and sitting for extended periods of time with occasional walking and standing and occasionally lifting or carrying articles weighing less than 10 pounds.
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