Senior Digital Media Planner/Buyer

Position Summary
Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact. The Senior Digital Media Planner/Buyer will be responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and optimization of paid media campaigns across various digital channels. This role focuses on driving performance marketing strategies to achieve client objectives and maximize return on investment (ROI).

Additional Details
Status: Exempt-Salaried
Work Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Travel: 0 to 5%
Reports to: Josh Robinson, President and Chief Marketing Officer

Role Responsibilities

Media Planning & Strategy:

• Develop comprehensive media plans aligned with client goals and target audiences.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis to identify optimal media channels and strategies.
• Determine budget allocation across channels based on performance and objectives.
• Stay abreast of emerging digital media trends, technologies, and AI integrations.
• Advise the New Business teams and Account teams on recommended budgets and media strategies during the pitch process.

Campaign Execution & Management:

• Oversee the execution of paid media campaigns across various platforms (e.g., Google Ads, social media platforms, programmatic display).
• Manage relationships with external vendors responsible for day-to-day campaign management.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as leads, cost per acquisition (CPA), cost per lead (CPL), engagement rates, web traffic, and form fills.
• Analyze campaign performance data to identify areas for optimization and improvement.
• Generate regular reports on campaign performance and insights.

Budget Management:

• Monitor and control media budgets across all channels.
• Ensure campaigns are delivered within budget and on schedule.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising campaign effectiveness.

Vendor Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with external media vendors.
• Communicate campaign objectives and performance expectations.
• Provide ongoing feedback and guidance to vendors to ensure optimal campaign performance.

Skills & Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in the advertising agency environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• Proven experience in digital media planning and buying, with a strong focus on performance marketing.
• In-depth knowledge of various digital media channels and platforms.
• Expertise in tracking and analyzing campaign performance data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in media planning and buying tools.
• Experience sourcing and managing external vendors.
• Alignment with Pinkston’s guiding principles.

Preferred:

• Certifications in digital marketing or media planning.
• Knowledge of data visualization and reporting tools.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can leverage data-driven strategies to drive impactful marketing campaigns. If you have a passion for digital media and a proven track record of optimizing performance, we encourage you to apply!

Who We Are

Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact.

Benefits

Pinkston offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes company-sponsored health, dental, and vision plans accompanied by employer-funded life insurance, HRA, and short-term disability plan. Optional long-term disability and additional Life Insurance are also available. Pinkston provides a 401k retirement plan and contributes to each employee’s retirement annually regardless of employee participation.

At Pinkston, we believe great things happen when people come together and are committed to building a collaborative in-person work environment. Pinkston is also committed to a healthy work-life balance. We offer flexibility through an innovative hybrid work model that gives team members the opportunity to work from home up to 30% of the time. Pinkston provides generous holiday and vacation policies, paid parental leave, and an additional week of paid “volunteer time off” to encourage employees to invest time in a 501C non-profit of their choice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pinkston is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Pinkston makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.