Podcast Media Strategist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Podcast Media Strategist

🔹 Company: Ground News

🔹 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: June 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote (Canada)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing podcast ad strategies to drive measurable results
• Building and maintaining relationships with podcast creators, agencies, and networks
• Analyzing campaign performance and optimizing based on data-driven insights
• Collaborating cross-functionally with the Influencer Marketing team to align messaging and goals
• Working in a fast-paced, mission-driven startup environment

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of podcast advertising to succeed.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own the podcast channel: Lead end-to-end campaign strategy and execution, from identifying relevant partners to negotiating contracts, launching campaigns, and scaling performance.

✅ Drive strategic growth: Use data and attribution insights to inform creative testing, audience targeting, and campaign pacing. Bring a revenue-first mindset to decision-making.

✅ Leverage industry relationships: Tap into existing network to secure placements with high-quality, relevant shows, as well as pitch Ground News to creators and agencies with compelling brand narratives.

✅ Creative collaboration: Coordinate with podcast hosts and internal brand stakeholders to craft authentic, high-performing ad reads that align with our mission and tone.

✅ ROI oversight: Own the budget and ensure accountability for spend efficiency. Translate learnings into actionable recommendations and quarterly insights.

✅ Work cross-functionally: Partner with the Influencer Marketing team to align messaging and goals.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 3-5+ years of hands-on experience managing podcast advertising for a high-growth brand (DTC, subscription-based, or media preferred)

Required Skills:

• Deep familiarity with podcast-specific analytics and tracking tools (e.g., Podscribe, Magellan AI, Spotify Ad Analytics)
• Proven ability to scale acquisition efforts with a strong command of attribution models, podcast metrics, and campaign levers
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Highly analytical mindset with comfort operating in ambiguity and urgency
• Self-starter with strong prioritization and project management capabilities

Preferred Skills:

• A background or deep interest in media literacy, civic tech, or journalism
• Experience working in a high-growth, mission-driven startup environment
• Familiarity with Ground News and its mission

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in podcast advertising and a strong analytical background will be most successful in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 80,000 - CAD 120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in Canada)

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
• A mission-driven culture with a flexible, remote-first work environment
• The opportunity to shape a fast-growing company at the intersection of media and technology

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in Canada. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Ground News operates in the technology, information, and media industry, focusing on reducing media bias and promoting critical thinking.

Company Size: Ground News is a small startup with 11-50 employees, offering a dynamic and agile work environment.

Founded: 2017, with a mission to empower people to think critically and engage more thoughtfully with the news.

Company Description:

• Ground News is a news platform that aggregates thousands of news sources from across the political spectrum and highlights media bias, blind spots, and factual accuracy.
• The platform aims to empower readers to think critically, challenge their assumptions, and engage more thoughtfully with the news.
• Ground News is funded by its subscribers and is not in the business of clicks or pushing any political agenda.

Company Specialties:

• Media bias detection and reduction
• News aggregation and curation
• Promoting critical thinking and informed decision-making

Company Website: ground.news

ASSUMPTION: Ground News' small size and mission-driven culture may offer applicants significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a real impact on the company's success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced marketing professional looking to apply their skills in a strategic, data-driven environment.

Reporting Structure: The Podcast Media Strategist will report directly to the Head of Marketing or a similar role.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote, with a focus on results and output rather than hours worked.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Ground News grows, there may be opportunities for the Podcast Media Strategist to take on additional responsibilities or lead a team.
• The company's focus on data-driven decision-making may provide opportunities for professional development in analytics and data science.
• Working in a small, mission-driven startup offers the chance to gain experience in various aspects of the business and make a significant impact on its success.

ASSUMPTION: Given Ground News' focus on data and analytics, there may be opportunities for the successful candidate to grow into a more senior or specialized role over time.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote (no physical office)

Office Location(s): Kitchener, Ontario (Remote)

Geographic Context:

• Kitchener is a mid-sized city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a population of approximately 230,000 people.
• The city is known for its vibrant tech industry and has a growing startup ecosystem.
• Kitchener offers a mix of urban and rural living, with easy access to nearby cities like Toronto and Waterloo.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling

ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement may provide applicants with greater flexibility and work-life balance, while also offering the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing tech hub.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the marketing team to discuss the role and company culture
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Podcast advertising experience and expertise
• Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Ground News' mission

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant podcast advertising experience and achievements in your resume and cover letter.
• Demonstrate your understanding of podcast metrics and analytics in your application materials.
• Showcase your ability to think strategically and make data-driven decisions in your interview responses.

ATS Keywords: Podcast advertising, campaign strategy, negotiation, analytics, relationship building, creative collaboration, budget management, data analysis, audience targeting, project management, communication, self-starter, attribution models, media contacts, performance optimization, growth strategy

ASSUMPTION: Ground News' hiring process may prioritize candidates with a strong understanding of podcast advertising and a proven track record of driving results in a data-driven environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Podscribe, Magellan AI, Spotify Ad Analytics (or similar podcast analytics tools)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable using podcast analytics tools and project management software to manage their workload and collaborate with the team.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Mission-driven: Ground News is committed to reducing media bias and promoting critical thinking.
• Data-driven: The company makes decisions based on data and analytics to optimize performance.
• Collaborative: Ground News values cross-functional collaboration and teamwork.

Work Style:

• Results-oriented: Ground News focuses on outcomes and impact rather than hours worked.
• Agile: The company is adaptable and responsive to change, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Dynamic: Ground News offers a fast-paced and evolving work environment, with opportunities for growth and learning.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Ground News' commitment to reducing media bias and promoting critical thinking?
• Are you comfortable working in a data-driven environment and making decisions based on analytics?
• Do you thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with a focus on results and impact?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants who align with Ground News' mission and values, and are comfortable working in a data-driven and dynamic environment, will be most successful in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The podcast advertising landscape is constantly evolving, requiring the Podcast Media Strategist to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
• Managing multiple campaigns and stakeholders may require strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Working remotely may present unique challenges, such as maintaining productivity and work-life balance.
• Ground News is a small startup, which may offer limited resources and support compared to larger organizations.

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment, with a focus on continuous learning and adaptation.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional media buying roles, the Podcast Media Strategist role at Ground News focuses on strategic partnerships and creative collaborations with podcast creators and hosts.
• This role requires a strong understanding of podcast-specific analytics and metrics, as well as the ability to optimize campaigns based on data-driven insights.
• As a small startup, Ground News may offer more opportunities for growth and impact compared to larger organizations, but may also come with unique challenges and limitations.

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it compares to other marketing or advertising positions when evaluating their fit and potential career growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a podcast ad campaign to drive user acquisition and brand awareness for Ground News
• Negotiating partnerships with high-quality podcasts and creators to secure favorable ad placements and rates
• Analyzing campaign performance data to optimize targeting, pacing, and creative strategies

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be able to provide specific examples of their experience and achievements in podcast advertising to demonstrate their qualifications for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current podcast advertising landscape and how Ground News fits into it?
• How does Ground News approach cross-functional collaboration and teamwork, particularly with the Influencer Marketing team?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the Podcast Media Strategist role, and how has Ground News addressed them in the past?
• How does Ground News support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's long-term vision for podcast advertising, and how does this role contribute to that strategy?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of Ground News' podcast advertising strategy, company culture, and opportunities for growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant podcast advertising experience and achievements.
• Prepare for the interview by researching Ground News' mission, values, and podcast advertising strategy.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.