Account Executive, Paid Media

About The Role 
Zeno Group is seeking a smart, curious, and highly motivated Account Executive, Paid Media to join our growing team in Chicago. In this role, you will primarily help lead paid media execution across digital platforms but will also have a strong emphasis on strategic media planning, budget stewardship, performance analysis, and cross-functional team collaboration. You will act as a key liaison between media publishers, internal teams, and clients to drive strong investment decisions and deliver measurable results.  
This position is ideal for someone looking to grow within a dynamic, fast-paced integrated agency environment, while strengthening experience in full-funnel media strategy and investment.  

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development of strategic paid media plans (across digital, social, programmatic, video, and emerging platforms).  
• Collaborate with strategy, creative, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive planning and cross-channel execution.  
• Partner with internal specialists and external partners to evaluate platforms, formats, and audience strategies aligned with client goals.  
• Own the day-to-day management of paid campaigns, including trafficking, QA, and in-platform execution (Meta, Google, YouTube, TikTok, X, Pinterest, LinkedIn).  
• Monitor budget pacing, performance metrics, and optimization levers to drive continuous improvement.  
• Coordinate with external vendors and partners to gather specs, timelines, and creative deliverables.  
• Analyze and report on media performance across KPIs, providing insights and optimization recommendations.  
• Partner with analytics and measurement teams to interpret data trends and correlate media spend to business outcomes.  
• Present findings in client reports, dashboards, and campaign wrap-ups.  
• Develop strong client relationships and establish trust as a reliable paid media expert.  
• Present media strategies, optimizations, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.  
• Participate in client meetings, QBRs, and status calls, contributing to proactive communications and thoughtful POVs.  

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of digital media experience, preferably in an agency or in-house media role.  
• Strong understanding of media strategy and planning and investment principles, especially in digital channels.  
• Experience with key platforms/channels such as Meta, TikTok, Google Ads, Programmatic Native/Display, Video and traditional and emerging platforms.  
• Working knowledge of measurement tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Datorama, Excel/Sheets pivoting and formulas).  
• Ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable insights.  
• Detail-oriented with strong project management, time management, and prioritization skills.  
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to simplify complex media concepts.  
• Curiosity and the desire to learn more about tools, platforms, and planning principles. 
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or related field.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting healthcare, technology, or CPG brands.  
• Familiarity with cross-channel media planning and tagging tools (e.g., Mediaocean, Prisma, CM360)   
• Passion for innovation and staying ahead of digital media trends.

ABOUT USZeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.
ABOUT OUR BENEFITS Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace