Fast Facts

We are seeking a Marketing Director, Paid Media to lead our media strategy and execution, making a meaningful impact on brand awareness and sales for our toy and educational materials company.

Responsibilities: Oversee media strategy execution, including managing budgets for Amazon and Retail Media, developing data-driven strategies, optimizing media efficiency, and leading awareness campaigns with measurable outcomes.

Skills: Requires expertise in media strategy, quantitative analysis, and leadership in managing teams, along with excellent analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred with 10+ years of experience in paid media management, especially in retail media.

Location: Vernon Hills, IL; No remote opportunities, must be onsite.

Compensation: $150000 - $180000 / Annually

About our family of companies:

We are on a mission to bring learning to life! At our family of companies, Learning Resources®, Educational Insights, and hand2mind, we create a unique range of toys, educational products and supplemental curriculum trusted by teachers and loved by families alike. Voted among the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for the last five consecutive years, we are a 400-person strong, family-owned organization dedicated to helping kids succeed in school and develop a love of learning. In addition to high-quality, hands-on products like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we make award-winning toys, including top sellers such as the Pretend & Play® Cash Register, the Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set and Toy of the Year winner Botley® the Coding Robot as well as Educational Insights top sellers Kanoodle®, GeoSafari® Jr. series, and Playfoam™. We pride ourselves on being committed to our employees’ personal and professional development, a thriving culture and a diverse, creative atmosphere. Along with our culture and competitive benefits package, we offer opportunities for training and development by university professors as well as in-demand, motivating external speakers. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

Team & Position Description:

This role offers a career-defining opportunity to lead and shape an integrated media strategy at a fast-growing toy company where your expertise in media strategy and quantitative analysis will drive tangible results. You will work at the intersection of performance marketing and brand-building, directly impacting the company’s growth on e-commerce giants and retail platforms. With visibility across the organization, you’ll directly influence the company’s growth trajectory and collaborate with a creative, passionate group of marketing professionals.

What you’ll do day to day:

As the Director, Paid Media, you will lead the company’s media strategy and execution, bringing strong quantitative and analytical expertise to optimize media investments across platforms. This role oversees high-impact budgets and operations for Amazon media (including Sponsored Ads, DSP, and streaming campaigns), Retail Media (e.g., Target, Walmart, and others), Paid Social, and Awareness, while ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing mix decisions. You will manage awareness campaigns to elevate brand visibility and play a critical role in developing and executing annual marketing plans in collaboration with cross-functional teams. This position leads three direct reports who manage specialized teams and serves as the primary liaison with external media agencies.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

1. Develop and Execute a Data-Driven Media Strategy
2. Measure and Optimize Marketing Mix Effectiveness
3. Lead Amazon and Retail Media Operations
4. Drive Awareness Media Campaigns
5. Collaborate on Annual Marketing Plans and Ongoing KPIs
6. Build and Coach a High-Performing Team
7. Strengthen Partnerships with Media Agencies

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

• Bachelors degree required, MBA preferred
• 10+ years experience in paid media management including advanced experience in retail media (Amazon Advertising, Walmart Luminate, Target Roundel, etc.), display, programmatic media, streaming video, paid search; agency experience a plus
• Proven results driving growth in brand awareness, loyalty and customer acquisition
• Technical knowledge of tracking, tools (dynamic creative optimization, etc.) and experiment design and implementation
• People management experience; skilled at developing talent
• Data Driven with excellent analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong skills in Fostering Teams & Collaboration, Driving Change, and Learning Agility
• Demonstrated track record of accountability

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $150,000 – $180,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set or location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).

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