Director, Paid Media Strategy, DIG, Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn is seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Paid Media Strategy to join our growing Digital practice. In this role, you will focus on paid media strategy and execution for clients in public affairs, issues and health policy. The ideal candidate will possess a strong digital skill set and expertise in driving paid campaign execution & targeting across various social and digital platforms (such as LinkedIn, Meta, and Programmatic) and campaign objectives throughout the funnel. This position is well-suited for a digital forward professional who excels in high-pressure environments, values public service, knows how to reach these audiences effectively, overcome platform limitations and demonstrates a passion for managing dynamic issues with precision and strategic clarity.  

As a Director, you will play a key leadership role in managing high impact paid campaigns, guiding clients through complex digital landscapes, reporting insights and driving measurable outcomes. This role requires a deep understanding of digital media, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to manage client relationships with professionalism and confidence.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Lead paid media strategy development and execution for clients across public affairs and health policy sectors with a focus on core B2B platforms (LinkedIn, Programmatic, third-party partnerships, Meta, YouTube, etc.)  

• Serve as the primary paid digital point of contact providing strategic counsel, campaign insights, and actionable recommendations  

• Knowledge of pixel, targeting, and platform limitations across these core sectors and identify solutions and ways to overcome  

• Drive innovation through testing, data analysis, and implementation of new tools and approaches to improve campaign performance  

• Execute full-funnel paid media campaigns, from audience segmentation to tracking and optimization  

• Monitor campaign performance, pacing and KPIs; report insights and optimizations proactively  

• Ensure proper tagging, pixel placement and data tracking across campaigns for accurate measurement and attribution  

• Review and analyze campaign performance reports to provide actionable insights for enhancement of client reputation and strategic improvements (knowledge of GA4, Adobe Analytics, LinkedIn Ads Manager, Meta Business Manager, etc.)  

• Serve as a key contact for clients, acting as strategic support for paid digital campaigns and address client concerns with thoughtful, timely solutions 

• Support in the operational performance of accounts, ensuring high-quality deliverables, adherence to deadlines, and budget optimization 

• Deliver superior client service by aligning digital objectives with senior management direction, providing clear updates on project timelines, and ensuring seamless coordination across internal teams and external stakeholders 

• Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering expertise in digital crisis communication, reputation management, and cutting-edge campaign strategies  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution across all digital channels and platforms 

Qualifications  

• A minimum of 6+ years working in the digital space with experience in public affairs and health policy (additional healthcare/pharma experience is a plus)  

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field preferred  

• A strong passion for digital and social media marketing, coupled with the ability to leverage emerging industry trends to effectively coordinate digital campaigns 

• Expertise in paid media marketing, data analysis, and insights reporting 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work across multiple high‐profile and high‐budget programs in a fast‐paced, consistently changing environment  

• Ability to multitask and operate with flexibility in a fast‐paced environment to meet tight deadlines 

• Proven experience managing and coaching a team 

Benefits & More  

• As a Director, you will receive a base salary and will have eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus 

• You will also be able to enroll in our Health, Dental, Vision, company paid Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, as well as 401k (match) plan  

• Monthly allowance for cell phone, office equipment, etc.  

• Generous PTO policy with paid maternity/paternity leave  

• Professional learning and development opportunities  

The anticipated salary range for this position, at the time of posting, is $95,000– $120,000. The salary of the applicant selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job-related qualifications. In addition, a range of medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available by the company.