Associate Director (16088) (UK-258)

Initiative is different to other media agencies.

We are not trapped by a legacy structure primarily centered on paid advertising. Instead, we are liberated by a new world structure designed to deliver highly differentiated and highly effective communications strategies for our clients.

We’re not the biggest agency in town. So rather than outsize our competitors we must outsmart them. That’s why we’ve built the strongest strategic capability of any agency in the market. Core to this strategic capability is an obsession with culture and how brands can pivot from brand advertising (which is forgettable) to cultural branding (which is highly memorable).

Our new world model is comprised of four central “craft centers” – Client Advice and Management, Strategy, Communications Design and Partnerships.

Here is a brief description of each center.

Initiative is building the most streamlined and integrated Partnerships teams in the industry. We do not operate in silos.  As such, our best and brightest Partnerships leaders from both Traditional and Digital backgrounds are charged with leading the Partnerships teams and delivering on the following:

• TV, BVOD, Radio and Cinema marketplace landscape experts internally and with clients
• All media partner evaluation, selection and recommendations leveraging strategic / consumer insights, marketplace insights, and Initiative’s proprietary partner selection data and toolsets
• Strategic, digital partnership solutions, negotiation/go‐to-market strategies, and audience—focused strategies, designed to deliver on client objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Innovation and emerging partner test opportunities to drive client KPIs
• Support MAGNA aggregate negotiations across all digital media channels
• Support and facilitate IPG Mediabrands corporate, agency and external media initiatives

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Associate Director, Partnerships is a high-level client team specialist role at Initiative, requiring strong leadership and managerial skills. The role involves strong knowledge of the video space and available media research and systems, ability to juggle multiple tasks at one time, and negotiating media partnerships. The Associate Director helps to lead the strategic direction and is tasked with being a marketing partner for the clients. The Associate Director is an expert on client’s business, and within the agency.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client

• Collaborate with Comms Design, Analytics and Client Advice and Management to ensure alignment with and delivery against client KPI’s
• Interact positively with clients to gain their trust and demonstrate value
• Identify synergistic and/or targeted opportunities on an on-going basis for clients to further drive their business

Internal

• Ability to work in a team environment that promotes collaboration
• Accountable for media plan output timeliness, accuracy, and overall excellence
• Instrumental in managing client’s media investment; responsible for smooth running of day-to-day activities
• Direct staff in the day-to-day activities of their group(s)
• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work activities of subordinates and handles all personnel requirements for immediate staff including training and development
• Primary contact for Strategy, Comms Design and Analytics groups
• Inspire while leading by example in developing, motivating, mentoring and coaching their team
• Ensure that all direct reports master the skills and organizational savvy required for advancement
• Adept at communicating effectively across all levels
• Provide partner selection recommendation and justification designed to deliver on client KPI’s using the most sophisticated use of data and analytics, via multi-faceted, cross-channel strategic partnerships, while delivering maximum strategic value and efficiency
• Develop processes and manage team to ensure superior in-flight stewardship, optimization, delivery and (cross-platform) post-analysis – but also able to free up more time for creative approaches to each client’s business
• Resolve major issues with media partners
• Prepare and deliver proposals to various audiences

Commercial

• Provide Partnerships support for various New Business pitches including costs exercises
• Support and collaborate with all MB SBU’s for maximum effectiveness and seamless integration onto client business
• Support MAGNA aggregate negotiations across appropriate channels

Prioritization:

• 40% Client
• 40% Internal
• 15% Commercial
• 5% New Business

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s):

Client

• • Successfully presents to clients with strong POVs and recommendations
  • Positive interactions with clients to gain their trust and show value
  • Identify new media opportunities for clients that align with their communications goals and marketing objectives

Internal

• • Manages the team by being a collaborative and engaged leader
  • Participates in agency and external personal growth & education initiatives to expand knowledge of broader media topics
  • Utilize data and analytics to make strategic recommendations to clients
  • Successful collaboration with Strategy, Comms Design, SBUs to develop media partnerships that meet client's objectives
  • Participates in new business pitches - competitive analysis, ideation

Commercial

• • Supports and delivers on MAGNA agency-wide media partnership targets
  • Ensures and advocates for agency partner relationships
  • Develop costs for new business exercises

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent work experience
• 6+ years relevant experience including 3+ years supervisory experience required
• Broadcast media buying experience required with a demonstrated solid technical and negotiating skills
• Experience writing and delivering presentations
• Detailed awareness of client business issues, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status, and competition
• Understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as an understanding of media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements
• Able to successfully manage multiple full service accounts
• Solid understanding of media data sources in terms of what is measured, the method, and information reported
• Fluent in mathematical concepts with an ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas
• Knowledge of all media types
• Solid understanding of research tools
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and managerial skills
• Knowledge of buying, planning, client presentation and reporting
• Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Superior analytical abilities and quantitative skills, including math proficiency
• Ability to effectively utilize media research and reporting resources
• Technical proficiency, particularly with media systems and MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

It is the policy of Initiative and IPG Mediabrands, divisions of the Interpublic Group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.