Manger, Media Buyer - Toronto - Initiative

Description

The role of a Manager, Media Buying is to assist with the direction and style of the agency's executional product. The Manager will provide direction on buying strategies

and develop operating procedures for the group. The Manager will also be responsible for leading, mentoring, coaching and developing employees.

This role requires you to work as part of an integrated media investment team to ensure the product is grounded in insights and experience, resulting in flawless media executions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the media purchases of all planned campaigns within the group, assuming overall responsibility for purchase, reporting and monitoring of all media buys.
• Ensure that the media product is current and reflects the most recent developments, information and opportunities.
• Identify and communicate buying market conditions, changes and developments.
• Oversee the team to ensure all client invoices, discrepancies and billing is input, cleared and issued in a timely fashion.
• Oversee end to end billing and budget management, ensuring monthly reporting is sent to clients.
• Aware of client key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring that the tracking is in place for check-ins as required.
• Explore new media opportunities, evaluating and issuing sponsorship and integrations to the client in partnership with the Director.
• Approve and present client planning guides to the planning teams.
• Proactively provide guidance and direction to the planning teams on buying conditions.
• Ensure media services provided meet and surpass client objectives.
• Manage expectations in regards to work back schedule/timelines and deadlines.
• Attend and actively contribute to client meetings as required.
• Advise the team of any variations to execution of media plans.
• Participate in additional agency/team projects, new business presentations.
• Manage and lead a team of employees. Effectively communicate agency goals, manage workloads, provide ongoing performance feedback and support professional development. Interview and participate in hiring decision of employees if/when required.
• Contribute towards the betterment of the overall product and image, recommend procedures, identify and communicate potential buying market conditions to peers, attendance at media/client events.
• Approve and oversee point of views (POVs), presenting to planning teams and clients as required

Desired Skills & Experience

• Professional or Educational background in Marketing or Advertising would give leverage to this application.
• Manager / Director level of experience in media investment.
• History of developing positive on-going business relationships with a focus on client service.
• Ability to develop and foster strong relationships and partnerships, both internally and externally.
• Professional presentation skills.
• Previous experience managing and developing employees.
• Professional analytical and financial acumen.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, supporting the team, self-development, etc.
• Professional learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly developed organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Proficient with media research tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world's most ambitious brands. 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 and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. 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 9,000+ 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. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry's most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC's Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit

What's in it for you?

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to