OUR COMPANY

Initiative 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 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. 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.

➢ 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.

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

DISCIPLINE OVERVIEW: PARTNERSHIPS

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:

• Marketplace landscape experts internally and with clients
• All TV, in-cinema, OTT and other video media partner evaluation, selection and recommendations leveraging strategic / consumer insights, marketplace insights, and Initiative’s proprietary partner selection data and toolsets
• Strategic 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: DIGITAL MANAGER UK, PARTNERSHIPS

The Digital Manager, Partnerships is the base-level management role on the Partnerships team, with responsibilities including managing all national digital campaigns, 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 Digital Manager of Partnerships will need to be able to identify partnership opportunities that can exist outside of the standard paid media environments and effectively maximize communication across owned and earned media platforms as well.

• Specific expertise in advertising data & the tech space
• Detailed knowledge of audience 1^st approach
• Experience in brand / reputational marketing – if asked “name a brand who has demonstrated best practice storytelling and why?”, you can provide a detailed answer/debate
• Nice to have but not essential – political experience / background

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client

• Operate as the back up to the Director relating to client relationships
• Collaborate with Comms Design, Analytics and Client Advice and Management to ensure alignment with and delivery against client KPI’s
• Update status documents for client meetings
• Prepare e-mails recommendations, buy presentations and present to clients
• Write POVs for targeted opportunities on an on-going basis for clients to further drive their business
• Stay knowledgeable about client’s business and its competitors to determine sufficient advertising and media needs and ensure plans are properly executed and delivered

Internal

• Direct the group (Negotiators, Associates) in the day-to-day activities and provide direction
• Provide superior negotiations delivering the maximum strategic value and efficiency, using IPGMB benchmarking capabilities to ensure best-in-class rates and efficiency
• Oversee the execution of media negotiations
• Collaborate with media partners to develop promotional and other amplification opportunities to enhance each investment
• Accountable for AV plan output timeliness, accuracy, and overall excellence
• Responsible for smooth running of day-to-day activities
• Prepare and deliver proposals to various audiences
• Work with internal SBU stakeholders where appropriate, working effectively and collaboratively
• Maintain up to the minute knowledge of all programming trends, marketplace conditions and economic indicators that impact TV and Video Investment
• Train negotiators and associates in all the nuances of negotiation as well as all Nielsen services and how to use them
• Provide senior-level guidance and review on schedules, research, POV’s, and client presentations to ensure quality and client-readiness

Commercial

• Develop and maintain media partner relationships
• Negotiate pricing that reflects efficiencies, clients objectives
• Ensure understanding of MAGNA negotiation priorities

Prioritization:

• 20% Client
• 80% Internal

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s):

Client

• Manager is seen by client as key liaison for marketplace intelligence, negotiation and partnership needs
• Ability to successfully manage team’s response to client requests and help guide and steward process and plan changes
• Ability to lead team in developing buys that are strategic, deliver on client objectives and meet goals

Internal

• Successful stewardship of all work done by Negotiators, Sr Negotiators and Associates
• Participates in agency and external personal growth & education initiatives
• Seen by internal stakeholders as first level of “management” for the team
• Adherence to / use of agency processes and tools
• Positive collaboration partner to MB SBU's
• Ability to ensure proper delegation and workflow for team on all projects
• Commercial
• Supports and delivers on MAGNA agency-wide media partnership targets
• Ensures and advocates for agency partner relationships
• Seeks ways to deliver best in class pricing through strategic negotiations

Requirements:

• Experience of buying network, cable, and syndication with Media companies or within the Media Industry
• Prior experience in supervising a team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Desktop software, specifically Excel and Word, PowerPoint preferred
• Proficient with MBox or equivalent Inventory Management system
• Knowledge and understanding of Nielsen services
• Demonstrated ability to think and execute “out of the box” ideas
• Strong developed relationships with the Networks
• Ability to work successfully within a team, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure
• Strong analytical abilities and quantitative skills, including math proficiency
• Ability to effectively utilize media research and reporting resources

Employee Transparency

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at Jess.Richardson@mbww.com if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!