Associate Vice President, Media in Toronto

We are DAC—a global full-funnel performance media agency dedicated to delivering transformative results. With expertise spanning SEO, paid media, creative production, analytics, and local optimization, we combine the brightest minds with innovative technology to deliver seamless, forward-thinking strategies.

The Associate Vice President, Media is responsible for leadership decisions regarding the media programs and team associated with a book of client business. Paid Media at DAC is digital-first (SEM, Social, Programmatic) but includes traditional/offline media in certain client cases as well. This individual will also be one of the leaders within the Media team, tasked with developing goals that will move the team and agency forward, while supporting the broader objectives of the agency as a whole and driving adoption of these tenets within the media team.

This role will also be accountable for disseminating educational, current/up-to-date media content regarding media strategies across the team and the agency, ensuring that the knowledge is not just theoretical but also applied in practice within their team.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to Media SMEs in development of programs to meet campaign objectives.
• Act as the escalation point for senior level clients and internal stakeholders.
• Senior leader on each client program, looked to as such by clients and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee (and develop, where required) standardized process for media and campaign planning, optimization, budget management and creative testing, and enforce uptake/follow-through.
• Responsible for appropriate staffing and resource management within the team, aligning to profitability and staffing needs for each client.
• Coach and mentor direct reports, and ensure appropriate management of full team.
• Communicate project status and campaign performance to agency executives and account teams.
• Effective and impactful communication with clients, internal stakeholders and team members.
• Analyze metrics and performance data and provide actionable recommendations for campaign optimization to ensure performance is meeting or exceeding client objectives.
• Demonstrate expert-level knowledge of the role each media type plays in integrated media plans; assist in creation of plans for DAC clients and client prospects.
• Demonstrate functional knowledge of tactical execution across SEM, Social, Programmatic; previous hands-on experience is desired so as to effectively coach and guide team.
• Understand, test and implement new methodologies with a view to improving service offering.
• Proactively reach out to build and facilitate strong working relationships with other departmental and office leads and fulfill the role of a “go-to” resource for other department leaders when they have media questions.
• Further develop relationships with vendor partners; bring forth new ideas to push client programs and test new initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with media team members to oversee and improve internal processes in order to provide high-quality service for clients.
• Assist in development of new business pitch materials; attend pitches and present, in role of the senior subject matter expert.
• Provide thought leadership in area of expertise (blog posts, POVs, speaking engagements, etc.).

What You Bring

• 12-15+ years of experience in Paid Media (digital first, traditional/offline a plus).
• Experience creating/developing high-performing client media programs that span multiple channels, tactics and goals.
• A strong understanding of full-funnel media planning (including audience and competitive research, etc.) is required.
• At least 7 years of proven experience managing and developing teams of subject matter experts.
• Strong expertise with high-performance, full-funnel lead gen and/or sales-focused campaigns.
• Expert level media/campaign planning, management and optimization knowledge.
• Demonstrable presentation skills (creation of materials and in-room presentation).
• Solid knowledge of testing methodologies, betas, and industry trends and topics.
• A growth mindset for expanding campaigns and opportunities within the client base.
• Eager to understand, test and implement new display methodologies with a view to improving service offering.
• Solid track record of working on multiple time sensitive projects on schedule.

What You’ll Get

• Professional Growth & Impact: Be part of a globally recognized performance marketing agency with deep investment in data and technology, helping shape the future of analytics-led media strategy at scale while influencing sophisticated enterprise and multi-location marketing programs.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside senior leaders across media, technology, and analytics in a global organization that values curiosity, transparency, and innovation.
• Career Development: Access ongoing learning, mentorship, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge tools and top-tier clients in the performance marketing space.
• Competitive Benefits: Competitive salary and comprehensive health benefits. Generous PTO, wellness initiatives, and parental leave. Retirement savings plans. Supportive, collaborative, and casual work environment.

This role requires three in-office days per week. Remote work is not available for this position. DAC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, state, or municipal law.