Manager, Video Partnerships

Business Overview 

We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, and T-Mobile. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.  

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.  

There are four I’s in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.  

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.  

• INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.  

• IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.  

• IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world. 

Position Overview 

The Manager, Video Partnerships is the base-level management role on the Video Partnerships team, with responsibilities including managing all National video buying activity, negotiating buys, checking preliminary and final post buy delivery, and tracking performance. Managers assist with the management of Partnerships team – developing their skills, evaluating their performance, and managing their growth. The individual is tasked with developing and maintaining strong client relationships. The Manager will drive the team to explore and identify non-traditional partnerships opportunities. This is critical to their development and the success of the Partnerships division. The Manager of Video Partnerships will need to be able to identify partnership opportunities that can exist outside of the standard paid media environments. 

Responsibilities 

• Serve as a backup to the Associate Director for client relationships 

• Collaborate with internal teams to align with and deliver against client KPIs 

• Update status documents for client meetings, prepare email recommendations, and buy presentations 

• Write POVs for targeted opportunities to drive client business 

• Stay knowledgeable about the client's business and competitors to determine advertising and media needs 

• Direct and provide guidance to the team, ensuring superior negotiations for maximum value and efficiency 

• Oversee media negotiations for various channels and collaborate with partners for promotional opportunities 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of programming trends, marketplace conditions, and train negotiators 

Required Skills and Experience 

• Experience buying network, cable and syndication with Media company or experience within the Media Industry 

• Experience in negotiating upfront, scatter and opportunistic buys 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Proven superior customer service skills 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Desktop software, specifically Excel and Word, PowerPoint preferred 

• Proficient with MBox or equivalent Inventory Management system 

• Experience across a variety of media channels 

Desired Skills and Experience  

• Working knowledge of third party Internet marketing research: comScore Media Metrix, Nielsen NetView, @Plan, NetRatings, and others 

• Demonstrated ability to think and execute “out of the box” ideas 

• Strong developed relationships with the Networks 

• 4+ years of local senior buying/supervising or related industry experience  

• Proven leadership ability and/or prior experience in supervising a team 

• Ability to work successfully within a team, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure