Overview
FTI Consulting's Strategic Communications team is seeking an experienced Director to lead paid media planning and execution for clients in Washington DC. This role is ideal for seasoned professionals with experience at premier media planning and placement or public affairs media firms who are ready to leverage their expertise in a global consulting environment. We are looking for a strategic media professional with deep experience in public affairs campaigns, political advertising, and advocacy communications. You will be responsible for directing paid media with a primary focus on public affairs activations, leveraging audience data, overseeing external vendors where applicable, and assisting with campaign budgeting, fulfillment, performance reporting, optimization and financial reporting. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with sophisticated audience targeting, cross-platform media planning, and performance optimization for high-stakes public affairs engagements. As part of FTI's Strategic Communications segment, you'll work on complex public affairs campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and government entities, providing strategic counsel that shapes public opinion and drives policy outcomes.
What You Will Do
* Strategic Media Leadership:
o Lead comprehensive paid media strategies for public affairs, advocacy, and corporate reputation campaigns
o Integrate advanced audience research and behavioral data into sophisticated targeting strategies
o Develop multi-platform media plans spanning digital, traditional, and emerging channels
o Serve as a strategic advisor on media planning and audience engagement for corporate and association client
* Hands-On Execution:
o Execute direct media buys across platforms including Facebook/Meta, Google Ads, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube, and emerging social networks
o Manage programmatic advertising campaigns and negotiate direct publisher relationships
o Oversee connected TV (CTV), over-the-top (OTT), and streaming audio placements
o Direct sophisticated audience modeling and lookalike targeting strategies
o Track and manage paid media budgets and invoices; coordinate closely with the finance department to ensure accurate reconciliation and timely payments
o Manage relationships with specialized political and public affairs media vendors
o Oversee external agencies and freelance specialists for specialized placements
o Lead real-time campaign optimization based on performance metrics and shifting political landscapes
o Coordinate with polling, research, and creative teams for integrated campaign delivery
o Provide strategic counsel on media mix optimization and budget allocation
o Present campaign performance insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders
o Identify opportunities to expand FTI's digital capabilities within existing client relationships
Growth & Development
We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You'll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth. As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.
What You Will Need To Succeed
* 5-8 years of progressive experience in public affairs, political advertising, or advocacy media buying
* Proven track record managing monthly budgets of $500K+ across multiple simultaneous campaigns
* Experience with crisis communications and rapid-response media activation
* Background working with corporate, association, or political clients on complex public affairs initiatives
* Technical Expertise:
o Audience Insights Platforms: Proficiency with Catalist, TargetSmart, Aristotle, or similar voter/consumer databases
o Media Buying Software: Hands-on experience with platforms such as:
o Political/Advocacy: Campaign Grid, Campaign Manager, Political Ad Tracker
o Programmatic: The Trade Desk, StackAdapt, Google Display & Video 360, Amazon DSP
o Social: Facebook Business Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, Twitter Ads
o Planning Tools: Comscore, Nielsen, Kantar, Scarborough
o Analytics & Reporting: Advanced skills in Google Analytics, Facebook Analytics, and campaign reporting dashboards
o Experience with polling integration and message testing platforms
* Core Competencies:
o Deep understanding of Washington DC media landscape and political ecosystem
o Expertise in audience segmentation, persuasion modeling, and voter/stakeholder targeting
o Strong analytical skills with ability to translate complex data into actionable insights
o Exceptional project management abilities with experience managing multiple concurrent campaigns
o Superior written and verbal communication skills for client-facing interactions
* Preferred Qualifications:
o Political campaign experience (federal, state, or local)
o Corporate communications or crisis management experience
o Knowledge of lobbying, and advocacy advertising compliance requirements
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting is the world's leading expert-driven consulting firm. Our goal is to support the wellbeing of you and your families with comprehensive benefits including competitive compensation, medical plans, paid time off, 401(k) with matching, flexible work arrangements, parental leave, family care benefits, wellness programs, professional development, and more. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.
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