Company Description

　　This is a hybrid role, requiring three days in-office each week. If you are contacted for an interview, your recruiter will discuss specifics with you, inclusive of any necessary reasonable accommodations.

　　About Spark Foundry:

　　Spark Foundry is a global media agency that exists to bring HEAT – Higher Engagement, Affinity, and Transactions – to brands. By combining flawless media fundamentals with aggressive innovation, Spark inspires consumers to pay more attention, to care more about our clients’ brands, and to buy more products and services from them.

　　Balancing the nimble spirit of a startup with the powerhouse soul of Publicis Media, Spark Foundry delivers the best of both worlds to a client roster that spans some of the world’s best and most beloved brands and companies. We combine boutique-caliber insights and service with the buying clout and first-look access of a global leader, bringing the heat to challenger brands that want to act like giants, and to giant brands that want to act like challengers.

　　With a bottom-up culture that celebrates diversity and aims for all voices to be heard, Spark has become a magnet for the industry’s best talent, with one of the best retention rates in the industry. And by applying a whole-person approach to professional and personal development, Spark develops a workforce that is well prepared for today’s challenges, and also poised to create meaningful careers in the years to come.

　　Because we know that heat arises the intersection of complementary forces, our professionals come from myriad disciplines and backgrounds: data, analytics, and insights, content and creative production, communications and strategy, finance and marketing, and sociology, psychology, and other liberal arts disciplines.

　　Job Description

　　Overview:

　　The Associate Director, Video Investment is a high-level specialist role, that acts as a marketing partner to the media teams and client, requiring strong leadership and managerial skills. The Associate Director, Video Investment serves as a leader within our organization, driving Publicis products and fostering internal and external thought leadership in the video space.

　　Lead the development of Video media strategies and analysis (e.g., audience and media partner selection, custom data, RFP recommendations, timing/scheduling strategy, creative recommendations, etc.) across all Video media including Linear TV, Advanced TV, OTT/CTV, OLV/Digital Video and more

　　Provide partner selection recommendations and justification designed to deliver on client KPIs using the most sophisticated use of data and analytics, via multi-faceted, cross-channel strategic partnerships, while delivering maximum strategic value and efficiency

　　Accountable for video plan output timeliness, accuracy, and overall excellence

　　Collaborate directly with planning, programmatic, and analytics teams to ensure alignment and delivery against client KPIs

　　Develop best practices and input on video campaign planning and management in partnership with Dept Lead.

　　Role Objectives:

　　The Associate Director of Investment oversees the investment, activation, and portfolio management across all video channels

　　In this role, the Associate Director will develop holistic go-to-market strategies using data and insights to achieve client goals

　　The Associate Director is responsible for overseeing day to day client investment operations, performance and initiatives ensuring their delivery on all objectives

　　Oversee the day-to-day account operations and initiatives inclusive of billing discrepancies, brand allocations, ADU packages, campaign performance and optimizations

　　Participate in client reporting and insight sessions to ensure plan performance is achieved

　　Foster and encourage a positive and productive team culture

　　Effectively manage and lead investment team members

　　The Associate Director will oversee the creation and presentation of buying strategies and develops recommendations and POVs, while providing effective team and client leadership

　　Participate in client meetings and handle client communication

　　Qualifications

　　5+ years of experience within national broadcast and digital video with advanced knowledge of media is critical for success in this role

　　Deep expertise in the Video publisher, platform, and audience supplier ecosystem

　　Digital Video and Connected TV media buying experience required

　　National broadcast media buying experience required

　　Strong digital acumen and project management skills

　　Established relationships with partners in the Chicago marketplace

　　Experience with managing a team of 4+ members with demonstratable skills in guiding the development of direct reports, team building, and relationship management

　　Solid experience with negotiations

　　Knowledge of buying, planning, client presentations and reporting

　　Superior analytical abilities and quantitative skills, including math proficiency. Has the ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas

　　Advanced knowledge of Prisma, MediaOcean OX, Proficient in Excel, 3rd party Ad Servers (Innovid, DCM) and Verification/ Reporting partners (IAS, Double Verify, Nielsen)

　　Advanced understanding of the media landscape – Kids media buying experience is a plus

　　Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

　　Detailed awareness of client business issues, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status, and competition

　　Self-starter and not easily intimidated

　　This role requires a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment and who can manage multiple projects within tight timeframes

　　The successful candidate will possess an ability to trouble shoot and quickly assess and problem solve campaign challenges as they arise

　　Technical skills are a point of entry for the roles at Spark, but we are looking for exceptional talent with high emotional intelligence and soft skills that drive our culture:

　　Is credible, courageous and persuasive

　　Displays a growth mindset and not afraid to challenge the status quo

　　Takes accountability when things go wrong

　　Empowers others, giving them space and authority in their roles

　　Gives recognition when individuals deliver or take risks

　　Is able to join the dots to develop the bigger picture strategy

　　Additional Information

　　All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

　　If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email protected] .

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