Find your seat at the agency.

Client Service & Leadership

Own the client relationship, keep work on strategy and budget, and grow the business.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Account Coordinator
2. Account Executive
3. Account Manager
4. Account Director
5. Client Business Lead

Way in: Account Coordinator is a common first job for strong communicators.

Media Planning & Strategy

Decide where and how brands invest: the heart of a media agency.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Planning Assistant
2. Media Coordinator
3. Media Planner
4. Senior Planner
5. Planning Manager
6. Media Strategist
7. Strategy Director

Way in: Agency grad programs hire Planning Assistants and Media Coordinators every year.

Media Buying & Investment

Negotiate and place media, and manage partner relationships to deliver value for clients.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Buying Assistant
2. Media Buyer
3. Senior Buyer
4. Investment Manager
5. Investment Director
6. Specialists: TV, video, audio, out-of-home, print, digital

Way in: Start as a Buying Assistant; strong numbers and negotiation skills matter.

Digital & Performance

Plan and optimize digital campaigns built to drive measurable results.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Digital Media Planner
2. Digital Strategist
3. Performance Marketing Specialist
4. Performance Manager
5. Digital Director

Way in: Platform certifications and a love of testing help you stand out.

Paid Search

Run search engine advertising that captures people at the moment they're looking.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Paid Search / SEM Specialist
2. Search Manager
3. Search Director

Way in: Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising certifications are a strong start.

Social & Creators

Paid social, communities and creator partnerships across today's platforms.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Paid Social Specialist
2. Social Strategist
3. Community Manager
4. Influencer / Creator Partnerships Manager

Way in: Platform know-how plus a feel for culture and content.

Programmatic

Buy digital media automatically through platforms, using data to reach the right audiences.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Programmatic Coordinator
2. Programmatic Trader
3. Programmatic Strategist
4. Programmatic Manager
5. Programmatic Director

Way in: Programmatic Coordinator roles; DSP certifications (e.g. DV360, The Trade Desk) help.

Research & Insights

Understand audiences and consumers to shape smarter plans.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Research Analyst
2. Audience Insights Analyst
3. Consumer Insights Strategist
4. Research Manager
5. Insights Director

Way in: Research, psychology, marketing or economics backgrounds do well.

Analytics & Business Science

Measurement, modelling and dashboards that prove what media delivers.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Media Analyst
2. Digital Analytics Specialist
3. Business Intelligence Analyst
4. Data Scientist
5. Econometrician
6. Measurement Lead
7. Analytics Director

Way in: SQL, Excel, Python or R, plus the ability to tell a story with data.

Commerce & Retail Media

Advertising on retailer networks and e-commerce platforms, close to the point of purchase.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Retail Media Specialist
2. Commerce Strategist
3. E-commerce Media Manager
4. Commerce Director

Way in: A fast-growing area, great for e-commerce-minded juniors.

Advertising Operations & Technology

The setup, trafficking and tech that make campaigns run.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Ad Operations Coordinator
2. Campaign Manager
3. Trafficking Specialist
4. Ad Tech Specialist
5. Marketing Technology Lead

Way in: Detail-oriented and techy? Ad ops is a great entry route.

Content & Creative Services

Create the ideas, words and designs that bring media to life.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Content Strategist
2. Creative Strategist
3. Copywriter
4. Designer
5. Producer
6. UX Designer

Way in: A portfolio of your work matters more than your degree.

Partnerships & Sponsorships

Build custom programs with media partners, from branded content to sponsorships.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Media Partnerships Manager
2. Branded Content Manager
3. Sponsorship Manager
4. Partnerships Director

Way in: Relationship builders with a creative streak thrive here.

Innovation & AI

Bring new technology and responsible AI into how agencies work.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Innovation Strategist
2. AI Enablement Lead
3. Automation Specialist
4. Responsible AI / Governance Lead

Way in: Curiosity about AI and automation, plus a focus on doing it responsibly.

Business Development & Communications

Win new clients and tell the agency's story.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Business Development Associate
2. New Business Manager
3. Pitch Manager
4. Marketing Coordinator
5. Communications Director

Way in: Marketing Coordinator and Business Development Associate roles are good starts.

Agency Operations

The people, projects, finance and talent that keep an agency running.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Project Manager
2. Resource Manager
3. Media Finance / Billing Specialist
4. Operations Manager
5. Talent Acquisition Specialist
6. Learning & Development Lead

Way in: Project management, finance or HR backgrounds translate well.

Senior Leadership

Lead teams, clients and the business, and shape where the industry goes next.

Roles · entry to senior

1. Managing Director
2. VP / SVP
3. Chief Strategy Officer
4. Chief Investment Officer
5. Chief Digital Officer
6. Chief Transformation Officer
7. COO
8. President
9. CEO

Way in: Built over years across disciplines. Every role above can lead here.