Director, Data & Media Science

Title: Director, Data & Media Science Location: New York, NY

WE HAVE CREATED A WORLD WHERE ART AND SCIENCE ARE BEST FRIENDS

Known is a modern marketing company engineered for the unprecedented opportunities and challenges facing marketers today. We are about 200+ people strong, pairing PhD data scientists with award-winning creatives, strategists, engineers and expert research teams to produce some of the most innovative and cutting-edge creative work in culture. We believe that when creative truly collaborates with science, strategy, and technology, amazing things can happen.

Ad Age touted that “Known may be the ultimate example of a full-service agency,” and honored us with two prestigious recognitions this year: #3 on The A-List as one of the top agencies in the world, and Ad Age’s Data & Insights Agency of the year for the second year in a row. Without our incredible partnerships with our clients, spanning across the leading brands in finance, technology, entertainment, media, CPG, real estate, and many other categories, honors like this could not be possible, and also have helped us earn additional awards and recognitions over the years like: Emmys, Clios Entertainment and Sports Awards, Effies, Cannes Lions Awards, ProMax Agency of the Year, and Digiday’s Most Innovative Media Agency to name a few.

SKEPTIC™, Known’s proprietary AI analytics and optimization platform, powers our full service agency and has received industry-wide recognition for innovation in marketing technology and analytics. In 2025, SKEPTIC was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Next Big Things in Tech. Additionally, Digiday recognized SKEPTIC as Best Marketing Analytics Platform (2023) and the Best AI Platform (2025). Together, these honors underscore SKEPTIC’s evolution into an award-winning platform now being licensed to enterprise marketers.

We couldn’t create this award-winning work without seeking out and hiring the best talent. What does it mean to be a Knowner? We are curious innovators, knowledge-hunters who are constantly challenging ourselves to do better and be better for our clients, for our team and for our world at large. Our offices around the U.S. are open and while most of our people work in a hybrid setting, we are a distributed workforce with a number of Knowners working remotely.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU

About the role:

Known’s Media Science team uses advanced analytics, machine learning, statistics, and algorithms to plan and optimize advertising dollars. We partner with our clients to translate their business goals into meaningful metrics, and buy media across all channels to drive those target outcomes.

As our Director of Data & Media Science, you will ensure that our media campaigns are field by data and at the cutting edge of what is possible in the industry.  You’ll work hand-in-hand with Known’s media strategists and directly with clients to elevate their media performance and drive real business value. You will work with other data scientists to develop campaign measurement strategies, build experimentation plans, and collaborate with media planners and channel teams to ensure allocations are built scientifically. At the Director level, you’ll also supervise other data scientists on the account in measuring impact, optimizing campaigns, and surfacing insights that go beyond media metrics to incorporate first party data and drive business strategy. You will also work closely with our development team to help productionalize deeper and more technical approaches to common media challenges.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Understand the client’s overall business objectives and translate them into a campaign and measurement strategy
• Oversee the performance of media campaigns and amaze our clients, both by meeting their targets and creating insightful narratives through bespoke reporting
• Assist with and audit media plans the team is actively working on
• Frame analyses, stories, and slides for client media plans and reports
• Serve as the key client point of contact on campaign measurement, optimization, and data infrastructure
• Assess and onboard measurement vendors in the industry
• Drive the adoption of new tools and approaches you build, both across the team and at client brands
• Manage other data scientists on the team, both directly and indirectly as a mentor
• Serve as a thought leader on data-based media planning and measurement for the broader team
• Work closely with other senior leads to develop solutions that work for the entire Media Science team
• Communicate to clients how modern techniques (e.g., AI applications, optimization algorithms, and automation) can be used to improve business and media KPIs
• Create best practices decks for the organization and, in some cases, for our clients
• Collaborate with our Strategy and Studios teams to ensure our scientific approaches are fully integrated through all verticals of Known

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE

• A degree from a well-regarded college or university.  STEM degrees are preferred, and we love to see a PhD
• 5+ years of experience in data-driven marketing, preferably at an agency, consulting firm, or large in-house media activation team
• 3+ years of leadership experience in managing projects and driving them forward
• Hands-on-keyboard experience implementing technical solutions yourself is a major plus

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Robust analytical skills
• Knowledgeable about data-driven marketing
• Strong background in data science and statistics
• Understanding of the advertising and media landscape, especially as pertains to measurement vendors and ad platforms
• Strong project management skills
• Basic coding skills (Python, SQL) are a major plus

Competencies

• An ability to translate business challenges into quantitative problems
• Independent and entrepreneurial mindset
• Strong and fast learner
• Clear communicator
• An ability to work seamlessly with other teams
• Highly collaborative nature

SOME OF OUR PERKS

• Unlimited paid time off
• 401k with company matching and no vesting period
• Annual bonuses
• Generous medical plan
• Paid parental leave

ONE LAST THING TO ASK YOURSELF

All this might sound great, but you’re probably still wondering, “Would I be a good fit for Known?” or “Would Known be a good fit for me?” Our culture is propped up by four values that we aspire to every day: We are one team. We see the good. We never stop learning. There’s always a better way. At Known we are setting out to build something more than just a company. We are building a legacy filled with exceptionally talented people with a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and origin stories who feel encouraged and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to partner with us in molding and shaping our culture through our values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or locally protected class.

The base salary for this position is $160K - $180K.

This range is posted in compliance with state and municipal Pay Transparency laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to receive additional Known benefits.

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