Director, Digital Strategy

The Director, Digital Strategy serves as the strategic lead across a portfolio of client accounts (7-9), delivering expert digital marketing guidance and performance insights tailored to each client’s goals. This role focuses on developing and optimizing measurable campaigns, collaborating with internal teams to deliver seamless, goal-aligned media strategies. The Director works across a broader set of client types and objectives, with a strong emphasis on driving results and meaningful engagement through digital channels. While this role may include mentorship or team oversight, its primary focus is hands-on strategic leadership, client consultation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Campaign Leadership
  • Manage a larger portfolio of client accounts, providing strategic digital guidance that scales across varying levels of service integration and budget
  • Guide clients toward media investment decisions based on historical performance, audience insights, platform best practices, and testing roadmaps
  • Partner with the Media Planning team to collaboratively develop robust media plans that reflect strategic priorities and performance goals
  • Maintain a strong grasp on campaign implementation and optimization across channels (search, display, paid social, etc.) to inform ongoing strategy and client consultation

• Client Engagement and Communication
  • Act as a senior strategic partner to clients, leading monthly strategy calls, quarterly reviews, and performance discussions
  • Translate complex performance data into clear, compelling stories that inform client decision-making
    Provide thoughtful recommendations that align with evolving client KPIs and goals
  • Participate in proposal and pitch development, offering strategic insights to help shape new business opportunities

• Performance Analysis and Optimization
  • Review and synthesize campaign data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for optimization
  • Collaborate with platform experts and internal analysts to ensure reporting highlights the most valuable insights and clear next steps
  • Recommend budget shifts or tactical changes based on performance trends, new priorities, or testing outcomes

• Internal Collaboration
  • Work closely with Client Services, Enrollment Strategists, and other cross-divisional teams to ensure digital strategy is aligned with broader client goals and timelines
  • Collaborate closely with media planning, creative, and client services teams to ensure alignment on campaign strategy and performance goals
  • Support the Sales and Marketing teams in business development efforts by contributing digital insights to proposals and client presentations
  • Participate in agency thought leadership efforts by contributing to blog content, webinars, or conference sessions as needed

• Leadership and Mentorship Responsibilities
  • May mentor or supervise Digital Strategists, particularly in support of shared client work or as part of onboarding and professional development
  • May assist in the allocation of client assignments or strategic deliverables within the team
  • May participate in hiring, onboarding, and training new team members

Qualifications:

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to effectively multitask in a deadline-driven atmosphere
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of paid digital media and campaign success metrics
• Confident communicator who can adapt messaging to technical and non-technical audiences
• Clear oral and written communication skills, both internally and externally; can confidently speak to and present on campaign performance with both clients and internal Digital team members 
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, utilizing resources to work independently and troubleshoot arising issues before escalating to senior team members
• Effective communication and time management skills for a remote work environment as well as the ability to use/learn multiple technology platforms and switch between them on a regular basis
• Must be able to work at a computer for prolonged periods

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Marketing/Advertising major or concentration preferred
• 5–7 years of experience with paid digital platforms, media planning, and/or execution of digital marketing campaigns
• Expertise in analyzing and reporting on data trends with a full understanding of digital marketing KPIs and success metrics
• Experience using and analyzing data visualization tools such as Google Looker Studio and Google Analytics
• Expertise and direct experience with Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, and Google Display & Video 360 or other DSP required
• Google Ads and/or Google Analytics certifications a plus
• Experience with Asana or other project management software tools a plus
• Agency experience a plus
• Experience using marketing automation platforms (e.g., Skai, Fluency, Smartly.IO, or similar) to support campaign execution and optimization a plus

You Should Join Us!

We’re a fast-growing and innovative company, set apart by our incredible people. We’re a supportive, fun-loving group with diverse interests and talents. In addition to getting to work with fantastic people and do work you love, here are some items you can list in your “pros” column:

• Private health/dental/vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous holiday and PTO package
• Flexible work environment (remote, in-office, and hybrid roles)
• Half-day summer Fridays
• Fun company events and laid-back culture
• Opportunities for advancement
• Industry exposure and professional development
• Growing company with a family feel
• Entrepreneurial approach and spirit

About Carnegie

For more than 30 years, Carnegie has been a leader and innovator in higher education marketing and enrollment strategy, offering groundbreaking services in the areas of Research, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Lead Generation, Slate Optimization, Student Search, Website Development, and Creative that generate authentic connections.

Learn more about who we are, what we do, and what we care about.

 

No phone calls or unscheduled visits to the office, please. Carnegie is an equal-opportunity employer.