Director, Media Planning & Ad Operations

Additional Considerations (If Any):

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At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

• Job Title: Director, Media Planning & Ad Operations
• Department: RedMedia, Retail Media
• Pay Type: Salary
• Revision Date: September 2025 

General Function:

The Director, Media Planning & Ad Operations is responsible for leading cross-functional teams to deliver best-in-class retail media campaigns that drive both client success and network revenue growth. This role oversees media planning, ad operations, billing, and creative, ensuring seamless execution from strategy through delivery. The Director will balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, standardize processes for scalability, and partner closely with Sales, Finance, Product, and Analytics to align execution with business objectives. This position requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, financial acumen, operational expertise, and team leadership to build a high-performing, client-focused organization.
 

Reporting Relationships:

Accountable and Reports to: VP, RedMedia, Chief Operating Officer

Direct Reports: 4-6; Media Planners, Ad Ops, Billing
 

Primary Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead Media Planning, Ad Operations, Billing, and Creative teams to deliver end-to-end campaign solutions.
• Translate business objectives into actionable media and creative strategies that drive partner success and revenue growth.
• Build and standardize processes across functions for consistency, scalability, and efficiency.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, Product, and Analytics to align execution with business goals. 

Media Planning

• Oversee development of media plans that meet client objectives while supporting network growth.
• Ensure effective inventory allocation, pricing strategies, and packaging to balance client outcomes with monetization goals.
• Provide guidance on campaign design, targeting, audience segmentation, and performance optimization. 

Ad Operations

• Own campaign execution from insertion order (IO) through launch, including trafficking, QA, pacing, troubleshooting, and reporting.
• Establish workflows and quality standards to ensure campaigns deliver on time and at a high level.
• Collaborate with product and technology teams to improve tools, troubleshoot issues, and refine processes.
• Define and manage SLAs and performance benchmarks for operational excellence. 

Financial Accountability

• Manage revenue forecasting, campaign profitability, and margin performance within Media and Ad Ops.
• Partner with Finance to track results against quarterly and annual revenue targets.
• Optimize inventory, pricing, and packaging to maximize yield.
• Identify opportunities for upsell, cross-sell, and incremental revenue through creative and media solutions. 

Creative Oversight

• Guide the creative process from brief to final execution, ensuring campaigns meet brand and retailer standards.
• Partner with internal and external resources to deliver high-quality, performance-focused assets.
• Establish approval workflows that balance speed with brand integrity.
• Integrate creative planning with media strategy to deliver cohesive solutions. 

People & Performance

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team with clear career paths and skill-building opportunities.
• Foster collaboration across functions to ensure seamless campaign delivery and client satisfaction.
• Act as a strategic partner to leadership and clients, sharing insights and recommendations that improve media strategies and operational efficiency. 

Education & Experience

10+ years in retail media, digital advertising, or a related field, with expertise in media planning, ad operations, and creative processes.

Demonstrated success in managing budgets, revenue forecasting, and financial performance.

Strong knowledge of campaign management tools, DSPs, SSPs, ad servers, and creative platforms.

Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving results in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
 

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to sit at a desk or workstation for extended periods of time.

Frequent use of computer, telephone, and other office equipment.

Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in written form.

Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 20 pounds) may be required in the course of normal office duties.

Travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, or visit business partners.
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics:

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop cross-functional teams.
• In-depth knowledge of retail media, digital advertising platforms, ad servers, and campaign management tools.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to the Hy-Vee Mission and values, with a focus on collaboration and client success.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in a professional office setting.
• Extended periods of computer use and screen time are required.
• Work hours may include evenings or weekends to meet business needs or client deadlines.
• Travel may be necessary for vendor meetings, conferences, or cross-functional collaboration. 

Financial Responsibility:

Responsible for managing budgets, forecasting, and margin performance for Media and Ad Operations.
Accountable for aligning revenue performance with quarterly and annual business objectives.
Authority to approve media and creative expenditures within established limits.
Ensures financial accuracy and compliance in billing, pricing, and campaign execution.
 

Confidentiality:

• Must maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding company strategies, client information, campaign data, and financial performance.
• Expected to exercise discretion and good judgment in handling sensitive business and personnel information.
• Protects intellectual property and proprietary data related to retail media operations.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.