Associate VP, Media Planning; Cycle

Assemble is a leading political and public affairs firm that partners with companies, coalitions, and associations across financial services, energy, sports and entertainment, technology, labor, and healthcare.

We're hiring an Associate VP of Media Planning for the 2026 election cycle. This is a cycle-dedicated role running through December 2026. You'll own strategic media planning across channels for political, advocacy, and public affairs clients, translating campaign goals into integrated media strategies that deliver measurable results. As our planning practice grows, you'll help shape processes and standards that position Assemble as a leader in cross-channel political media.

This is a highly client-facing role. You'll develop audience-first media strategies in detailed Google Sheets planning documents, translate those into polished client-ready presentations in Google Slides, and sell your recommendations directly to clients. You need to be someone who can walk into a room (or a Zoom), pitch a media plan with conviction, answer tough questions about strategy and budget, and walk out with a green light.

Your ability to craft compelling media recommendations and persuade clients to invest at the right level will be central to your success.

Develop integrated media plans across digital channels: social, CTV, streaming audio, OOH, and programmatic channels. Build detailed planning spreadsheets in Google Sheets that model audience targeting, budget allocation, reach and frequency, and flighting across channels. Lead audience strategy and segmentation using syndicated research tools (L2, Target Smart, Stack Adapt/Target Smart forecasting). Own reach and frequency modeling for persuasion campaigns and performance projections for direct response and fundraising programs.

Translate client goals into measurable media strategies with clear KPIs and budget allocations.

Develop and deliver strategic media recommendations that build client confidence and secure budget commitments. Serve as primary planning contact for major client accounts. Transform planning spreadsheets into compelling, visually organized presentations in Google Slides that follow Assemble's brand guidelines and are clean, professional, and easy to follow. Present and sell media plans to clients with confidence, articulating the strategic rationale behind channel selection, audience targeting, budget levels, and expected outcomes.

Make a persuasive case for recommended investment levels and successfully advocate for the budgets needed to meet client goals. Respond to client questions on calls and via email with clarity and speed. Incorporate client feedback and edits thoughtfully and quickly, keeping projects moving without sacrificing quality. Provide ongoing strategic counsel on media market dynamics, competitive landscape, and optimization opportunities.

Coordinate planning across all channels and platforms, ensuring cohesive audience targeting and message sequencing. Partner with media buyers on activation, flighting calendars, and real-time optimization recommendations. Collaborate with creative and account teams to align briefs, message rotations, and measurement plans. Stay current on emerging channels, platforms, and political media innovations.

Adopt and improve our current planning standards, templates, and workflows that scale across clients. Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and best practices documentation. Help build out our planning capabilities as the team grows.

Contribute media planning expertise to RFP responses and new business pitches. Develop planning case studies and thought leadership content.

Required

• 5+ years of media planning experience with significant cross-channel expertise spanning digital, CTV, audio, and OOH
• Demonstrated experience leading media strategy for political campaigns, advocacy organizations, or issue-based advertising
• Deep knowledge of media strategy pitching, including developing and presenting strategic recommendations that win client buy-in and budget approval
• Strong proficiency in Google Sheets for building and maintaining detailed media plans, budgets, and models
• Experience creating polished, client-ready presentations in Google Slides with strong attention to visual organization, formatting, and brand consistency
• Comfortable fielding client questions in real time on calls and providing clear, responsive communication over email
• Proficiency with syndicated research and audience tools (L2, Target Smart)
• Strong understanding of reach and frequency planning and direct response campaign projections
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights

Preferred

• Experience with progressive political or advocacy campaigns
• Experience with broadcast TV and radio planning
• Familiarity with political audience data providers (L2,…