Digital Program Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Zeno Groupis the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry's most coveted awards including the 2024PRWeekU.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023PRWeekPurpose Agency of the Year, 2022PRWeekGlobal Agency of the Year, 2022PRovokeBest Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner ofPRWeek'sBest Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description:

Do you enjoy helping brands navigate an evolving digital landscape and build meaningful connections with audiences? Are you energized by bringing together social strategy, content, creators, paid media and data to develop integrated programs that drive measurable impact?

As a Director, Digital & Web Strategy at Zeno, you will lead digital strategy engagements across websites, content, search, social media and emerging AI-driven discovery. Working closely with clients and cross-functional teams, you will translate audience insights, digital behaviors and performance data into strategies that strengthen how brands show up across the digital ecosystem.

This role is ideal for a strategic digital leader who combines curiosity, analytical thinking and client counsel. You'll have the opportunity to lead complex engagements, mentor team members and help evolve Zeno's capabilities across web strategy, SEO, generative engine optimization (GEO), social media and digital performance.

About the Role:

• Digital & Web Strategy Leadership: Lead integrated digital strategy engagements across websites, content, search, social media and AI-powered discovery, connecting audience needs and digital behaviors with client business and communications objectives.

• Research, Insights & Strategic Recommendations: Guide website, content, search, social and competitive analyses, synthesizing complex findings into clear strategies and actionable recommendations for clients.

• Search, SEO & AI Discovery: Lead SEO and GEO strategies that strengthen brand visibility across traditional and AI-powered search experiences, including search behavior, organic visibility, content authority, citations and competitive positioning.

• Website & Content Strategy: Develop website and content strategies spanning audience needs, user journeys, information and content priorities, channel roles and optimization roadmaps.

• Social Media & Audience Strategy: Guide social and audience strategies informed by platform dynamics, cultural behaviors, content performance and evolving ways people discover and engage with brands.

• Measurement & Performance Optimization: Partner with analytics teams to define success measures, interpret digital performance and translate data into recommendations that improve digital experiences and program effectiveness.

• Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel: Serve as a trusted digital advisor to clients, leading strategic discussions, presenting recommendations and helping stakeholders navigate evolving digital behaviors, technologies and opportunities.

• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Mentor and develop junior strategists while partnering across design, analytics, creative, digital and account teams to deliver integrated client solutions.

• Business Growth & Capability Development: Identify opportunities to expand client engagements, contribute to new business and help evolve Zeno's digital strategy capabilities, methodologies and points of view.

About You:

• 6+ years of experience in digital communications, social media, digital strategy, creator marketing or related fields within an agency or similar environment.

• 6+ years of experience in digital strategy, web strategy, content strategy, search, social media, digital communications or related fields within an agency, consulting or client-service environment.

• Experience leading digital strategy engagements across multiple areas such as website strategy, content strategy, SEO/search, social strategy, audience research or digital analytics.

• Strong ability to translate research, audience insights and performance data into clear strategies and client recommendations.

• Strong understanding of website and content strategy, including user journeys, content organization, digital experiences and optimization.

• Deep understanding of SEO, search behavior, organic visibility and the evolving digital discovery landscape.

• Familiarity with generative AI, AI-powered search and GEO, with the ability to help clients understand emerging opportunities and implications.

• Strong understanding of social media strategy, audience behavior, platform dynamics and content performance.

• Experience defining measurement approaches and using digital performance data to guide strategy and optimization.

• Strong client counseling, presentation and storytelling skills, with experience communicating complex digital concepts to senior stakeholders.

• Experience leading cross-functional workstreams and collaborating across strategy, design, analytics, creative and account teams.

• Experience mentoring and developing junior team members.

• Collaborative and adaptable leadership style with curiosity about emerging technologies and evolving audience behaviors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GA4, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs or similar search and analytics platforms.

• Experience with social listening, audience intelligence or digital research platforms.

• Experience contributing to new business, organic client growth or digital capability development.

• Experience developing digital frameworks, methodologies, thought leadership or strategic points of view.

Pay Range: $105,000 - $125,000 USD/yr.

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.