Director of Digital Strategy

About the Product

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.

Job Purpose

The Director of Digital Strategy is responsible for contributing to the leadership, management, and overall success of the Digital Strategy team. This role oversees strategy and reporting for 5–7 clients, leading the planning and strategic execution of paid search, display, streaming, and paid social campaigns that are measurable, effective, and aligned with each client’s goals. The Director serves as a team leader, bringing innovative and thoughtful approaches to client success, reporting, and paid media strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Campaign Oversight
• Maintain strategic oversight of 5–7 complex, holistic client accounts, owning the development, implementation, and optimization of digital strategy and paid media budgets across all channels, typically with annual budgets of $500k+.
• Architect comprehensive digital strategies driven by clients’ marketing goals and objectives.
• Oversee and verify that ongoing account maintenance and optimization activities align with campaign goals across all channels.
• Client Interaction
• Foster strong client–agency relationships through recurring strategy calls, acting as an expert partner who advises on best practices and strategic direction.
• Play a supervisory role by overseeing Digital Strategists’ work on key clients, including participation in client calls.
• Reporting and Analysis
• Conduct research, analyze performance data, and translate findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations—including budget adjustments and optimization strategies.
• Provide in-depth monthly and ad-hoc reporting using tools such as Google Analytics, Looker Studio, custom ROI dashboards, and platform reporting interfaces.
• Ensure that all reporting clearly communicates campaign goals and effectively articulates key takeaways, recommendations, and next steps.
• Continually evaluate the effectiveness and client experience of reporting and analysis to ensure they meet evolving client needs.
• Team Management and Supervisory Responsibilities
• Support leadership of the Digital Strategy team, with potential responsibility for directly managing 2-3 team members.
• Lead onboarding, training, and ongoing mentoring of direct reports, and contribute to the professional growth of team members across the department.
• Internal Team Responsibilities
• Collaborate with client account teams to manage relationships and ensure client success.
• Partner with the sales team to strengthen and expand relationships with existing clients and support digital strategy development for prospective clients.
• Promote cross-divisional communication and collaboration to ensure a seamless internal workflow and client experience.
• Stay current on digital marketing trends, emerging platforms, and industry developments.
• Demonstrate thought leadership through contributions to team meetings, process improvements, and opportunities for service expansion.
• Contribute to the Carnegie blog, webinars, workshops, and conference presentations, as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to confidently present campaign performance to clients and internal teams.
• Proven problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, use available resources effectively, and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Effective communication and time management skills, particularly in a remote environment; ability to learn and switch between multiple technology platforms.
• Physical requirement: Must be able to work at a computer for prolonged periods

Credentials and 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 is a plus

We offer

• Medical, dental, and vision plans that support whole-person well-being
• Flexible PTO, paid holidays, and generous parental leave mean you can rest, recharge, and show up fully for what matters most
• From tuition reimbursement to continuing education opportunities, we help you keep learning, stretching, and evolving—professionally and personally
• Carnegie is a remote-first company. You can work from anywhere while staying closely connected through intentional collaboration, digital community, and shared purpose
• Our 401(k) program helps you plan ahead, with support that grows alongside your career
• Even across screens, we stay close—through virtual collaboration, shared celebrations, and a company-wide commitment to empathy, inclusion, and belonging