Want a fast-paced job that tests your media, analytics, and client management skills? Consider pursuing a career in digital media management. 

What does a digital media manager do? This article will dive into the job description, essential skill set, and logistics of succeeding in the field.

A digital media manager oversees an agency or company's digital media campaign operations. 

The digital media manager lends their expertise to multiple parts of a media campaign: from ideation, media selection, negotiation, and client work; to media execution and optimization. Whatever the case, if a campaign uses digital media, the digital media manager will have some part in it. 

This dynamic position requires a lot of hands-on interaction with different media types and active collaboration with clients and teams, making every workday different.

According to David Myers, Account Manager at Pathlabs, the digital media manager is the liaison between multiple media teams, including the media creators, activators, and agency partners. They work on behalf of the entire media team to activate and execute the agency's creative tactics and digital marketing needs. 

The responsibilities of a digital media manager range depending on expertise, management power, and the size of the agency or company.

Media managers might head a department that focuses on one type of media, such as social or paid display, or they may have a high-level role where they oversee the daily operations of multiple media teams. 

Some digital media managers work on a smaller team that manages all media types for a single company or client. 

Regardless of where the digital media manager falls on this scale, they will have a mix of the following responsibilities: 

• Working with multiple media types, including programmatic audio, video, CTV, Display Ads, DOOH, native ads, and social media platforms.

• Simultaneously managing various media campaigns from ideation to completion. 

• Collaborating with clients and media planners to set goals, troubleshoot, and execute campaigns.

• Analyzing the short and long-term impacts of a media campaign.

• Selecting the best media types for campaigns.

• Working with media creators through the conceptualization, development, design, and production processes. 

• Identifying the optimal programmatic platforms to use for the campaign.

• Developing and presenting robust digital media plans based on client goals and company objectives.

• Assisting with website management for clients.

• Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in digital content.  

• Managing all digital budgets and billing reconciliation.

• Sharing content across multiple media channels. 

• Monitoring media analytics and insights.

• Configuring SEO.

Digital media managers with less than ten years of experience make around $58,000 to $80,000 annually. Those with ten-plus years of experience can get paid in the $80,000-$160,000 range.

Digital media manager prospects need to have a bachelor's degree. However, as with many media positions, this can be something other than a business degree.

People from different educational backgrounds can build great careers in media management. It just requires some technical training and hands-on experience. At Pathlabs, we have digital media managers with college degrees in communications, 3D design, art, forestry, and more. 

Most digital media managers have a degree in marketing, media arts, advertising, or business management.

Media management is a great career path because the skills are in high demand. It is a great stepping-stone position for those wanting to diversify their media and marketing knowledge and push toward higher-level positions. 

Besides the career benefits, digital media marketing includes opportunities to work for big-scale clients and gain exposure to industry-leading contacts. 

The first step to breaking into digital media management is learning about what a digital media manager does. Internships or job-shadow opportunities at advertising or marketing agencies are the best way to learn via real-world experience. 

After grasping what a digital media manager does and gaining some media experience, prospects should consider whether this is the right career path. Will they feel fulfilled, engaged, and stimulated in the long term? If so, it's time to move forward.

David Myers tells us that digital media management prospects must be willing to dive into the unknown and use the opportunity to learn and grow. It is a challenging career, but the hard work and investment will be worth it!  

Educate Yourself 

Most ad agencies expect candidates to have a bachelor's degree and some experience in media. Prospects should receive formalized training in a related field. 

Top candidates are often certified in Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and Meta Business Suite before their initial interview. 

Grow competencies along the way

Once education and training are in place, prospects should look for entry-level jobs in a marketing department or media team that will point them in the trajectory of becoming digital media managers. These positions include media coordinators and social media managers. 

Practice these traits:

• Master the Craft: Actively learn on the job and prioritize becoming an expert in the field. 

• People First: Prioritize building relationships with coworkers, managers, and clients. 

• Own It: Communicate a desire to become a digital media manager to the manager or boss and ask about the steps to get this position. 

• Be Unforgettable: Find a competitive edge, whether volunteering to take on a challenging project or going the extra mile for a client.

Land a Job

After completing the steps above (and with a bit of patience), the prospect should land a job as a digital media manager. Yay! 

A career in digital media requires the following skills:

• Rockstar writing and communication.

• Interpersonal skills.

• Strong project management skills and leadership.

• Ability to work with different media types, planning tools, and software. 

• Creative eye for design and art. 

• Data analytics.

• Time management, organization, and ability to work under pressure.

• Multi-tasking

• Thorough understanding of internet trends. 

Skills that diversify Digital Media Manager projects and tasks. 

• Graphic Design 

• SEO writing 

• Photography/Videography

• Consumer Behavior Psychology 

• Computer Science and Algorithmic Thinking

• Customer service 

• Data analytics

Patience, active listening, and competent communication are crucial to success as a digital media manager. It requires hearing team concerns and structuring how that works with campaign and client needs, as well as asking tough, thought-provoking questions and combating team or client concerns. 

It is essential to have an innovative mindset when choosing this career path. A willingness to learn daily, a hunger to take on constant changes, and a love for receiving feedback are crucial to making the most out of the digital media manager career path. 

Curious about careers in digital media? Check out our open positions page. We’d love to meet you!