Media Agency President

Executive Overview:

Our client is one of Canada's fastest growing independent media agencies, recognized for strategic excellence, exceptional client service, and a collaborative culture built around exceptional people. The agency is seeking an accomplished President to lead its Canadian operations and next phase of growth.

Reporting to ownership, this executive will lead the business, its people, financial performance and client relationships while serving as the public face of the agency across Canada's marketing and media community. The ideal candidate will be a highly respected media agency leader and proven builder with the industry credibility, relationships, commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset to continue building one of Canada's leading independent agencies.

Strategic Priorities:

• Re-Ignite Growth: Identify and capture new market opportunities, elevate brand positioning, and build a sustainable new business pipeline across Canada.

• Preserve & Elevate Culture: Maintain a friendly, trust-driven, entrepreneurial and collaborative culture while ensuring people have the autonomy and support to thrive.

• AI & Operational Transformation: Champion the integration of AI and modern ad-tech across strategy, media planning, buying and agency operations to enhance efficiency and client value.

• Ecosystem Partnership: Act as a senior ambassador to clients, media vendors, creative agency partners and the broader Canadian media community.

Core Responsibilities:

Vision, Growth & Financial Performance 

• Define and execute the agency’s long-term strategic plan, holding ultimate P&L accountability.

• Lead new business strategies and pitches, leveraging established client and agency relationships, drive RFP opportunities and build a sustainable new business pipeline.

• Diversify agency service offerings, often working with sister agencies across data/analytics, SEO/GEO, retail media and e-commerce, to enhance client partnerships and relevance.

Transformation, Creativity & Innovation

• Foster a culture of continuous “test & learn” and experimentation, empowering teams to leverage new solutions and modern automation.

• Position the agency as a progressive, technology-forward leader through thought leadership and visibility across influential industry publications and organizations.

Leadership, Culture & Talent  

• Bring a warm, accessible and high-EQ leadership style that gives people the trust, autonomy and support to perform at their best.

• Foster and protect a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture built on transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

• Support and mentor senior leadership and client leads, providing guidance and operational runway while allowing them to retain ownership of their day-to-day business.

• Recruit, retain and develop top-tier talent across the organization.

Strategic Relationships & Ecosystem Stewardship

• Serve as the executive face of the agency to key clients, providing senior strategic counsel and strengthening executive relationships across Canada.

• Cultivate strong relationships with Canadian media vendors, creative agencies, PR firms and technology partners to create differentiated opportunities and holistic client solutions.

Ideal Candidate Profile & Cultural Alignment: 

• 15+ years of progressive media agency leadership experience, including significant executive responsibility and full P&L accountability.

• Demonstrated success building and growing a media agency, division or business through personally driving new business, developing new capabilities, strategic partnerships and profitable growth.

• A respected leader and network across the marketing, ad agency and media community.

• Strong executive-level client relationships and ability to lead, mentor and empower teams.

• Strong strategic thinking, commercial judgment and operational leadership capabilities.

• Experience leading or supporting digital, data, AI, ad-tech or broader technology transformation within an agency or media environment.

• Deep media expertise and technical credibility, with the ability to engage confidently with clients, teams and industry audiences across media strategy, data, measurement, programmatic and emerging technologies.

All candidate inquiries and discussions will be handled with the strictest confidence.