Assistant Director, Media Planning and Buying

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed.

Role Overview

The Assistant Director, Media Planning and Buying will lead the strategy, execution, and oversight of paid media programs supporting brand building and macro thematic initiatives globally, and Institutional and Private Wealth programs for the U.S. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Marketing Technology & Operations, this role combines deep media expertise with strong governance, cross‑functional partnership, and global coordination.

The role plays a critical part in stewarding media investment in a regulated asset management environment—ensuring all activity is brand‑aligned, and designed to support long‑term client relationships rather along with short‑term demand generation.

What You Will Do

• Lead end‑to‑end media planning and buying across digital and select traditional channels, working with cross-functional teams within marketing and across business units for institutional and wealth go-to-market campaigns
• Translate distribution strategies, audience needs, and regional goals into disciplined, impactful media plans across global markets
• Manage media budgets, forecasts, and pacing with a focus on efficiency, visibility, and long‑term brand and business impact
• Serve as the primary day‑to‑day partner to media agencies, setting clear expectations for strategy development, execution, trafficking assets, optimization, and reporting
• Review and approve media plans, placements, and recommendations to ensure alignment with brand standards, regulatory requirements, and firm risk tolerance
• Partner closely with brand, corporate communications, content, digital, analytics, and compliance teams to ensure integrated and approved execution
• Monitor media performance and deliver clear, actionable insights to partners, balancing performance metrics with longer‑term audience and brand objectives
• Support global and regional coordination, enabling consistency while accounting for market‑specific regulations, platforms, and audience behaviors with local partners
• Stay current on media, platform, and regulatory developments relevant to asset management and financial marketing

What You Bring

• Strong experience in media planning and buying within asset management, financial services, or another highly regulated industry
• Familiarity with Institutional and/or Private Wealth audiences and marketing models dedicated to building strong connections
• Proven ability to manage agencies and vendors with rigor, clarity, and accountability
• Able to operate within formal approval workflows, working closely with compliance teams
• Strong analytical attitude with the ability to interpret performance data and translate it into strategic recommendations
• Experience supporting global or multi‑regional marketing efforts
• Clear, confident communicator with sound judgment, attention to detail, and a collaborative working style

Competencies

Delivers Results

Drives effective and efficient media outcomes through focused planning and execution.

Owns the Work

Takes accountability for media investment decisions, performance, and follow‑through.

Manages Complexity

Keeps work focused and organized across channels, regions, collaborators, and regulatory requirements.

Communicates Effectively

Provides clear recommendations and insights to internal partners, agencies, and senior team members.

Maintains Composure

Operates with professionalism and judgment in a highly regulated, high‑visibility environment.

Experience & Education

• 5–7 years of experience in media planning, buying, or media strategy, either in‑house or agency‑side
• Experience supporting asset management, Institutional, or Private Wealth marketing strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Salary Range

$117,000.00 - $157,000.00

This USD base salary range represents only one component of total compensation for this role and is provided in accordance with local requirements. This role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, which is determined based on individual and overall firm performance. In addition to salary and bonus, total compensation may include eligibility for long-term reward programs and a comprehensive total rewards package that may include retirement, health, insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs. Our total rewards offerings are influenced by several business factors, and eligibility for certain components will vary by position and geography. Please note the posted ranges do not apply outside the U.S. and should not be converted to other currencies as a proxy for compensation in other countries.