Associate Director, Video Partnerships

Business Overview:  

Rufus is an Amazon-dedicated entity, powered by Initiative, and bolstered by critical discipline expertise from the entire Mediabrands and IPG networks. Our vision is to be a trusted, indispensable partner of Amazon. We are a collective who share an obsession with the convergence of media, creativity, and data, through a branded cultural lens. We are one connected team. Many voices & many countries, with one shared culture based on pride, enrichment, balance, and growth for our people. Our mission is to become Amazon’s most client-first, customer-obsessed partner by consistently delivering strategic thought leadership, scalable, creative ideas that break boundaries and drive Amazon’s business forward, streamlined operations, and unparalleled media value. 

Beyond Rufus, 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 & Flow for brands like Amazon, Nike, Merck, LEGO, 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. 

Position Overview 

The Associate Director, Video Partnerships is a high-level client team specialist role requiring strong leadership and managerial skills. The role involves a 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 guide 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 business within the agency. As a critical thinker and problem solver, the candidate will excel at taking client goals and determining the right partners and tactics to make them a reality. The candidate is a continuous learner and able to adapt to new approaches to best move a campaign, strategy, or a buy forward.  The Associate Director of VP helps to manage the delivery of next generation buys and strategic approaches, working directly with partners, and managing the end-to-end process. You are negotiating the best deals for the client and are the main advocate to secure the strongest value and service from all partners. You will break down silos, working with the Craft Teams and partners to collaboratively design the optimal tactics for the buy, manage process, accountability, and ownership of deliverables. Your instinct is bias for action and proactively working with your team to develop the most effective and dynamic ecosystem and partner budget allocation recommendation to power campaigns and achieve client goals. 

Responsibilities 

External 

• Collaborate with Comms Design, Analytics, CAM, and Strategy to ensure alignment with and delivery against client KPI’s. 

• Direct communication with clients for all marketplace intelligence, negotiation, and video partnership needs, and take ultimate accountability for team’s day-to-day responsibilities. 

• Identify synergistic and/or targeted opportunities on an on-going basis for clients to further drive their business. 

• Manage cross-craft and partnership deliverables and expectations with clients to deliver against client KPIs. 

• Establish and maintain mid-level partner relationships on behalf of the agency and client.  

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

Internal 

• Plans, directs, supervises, resolves, and coordinates work activities of team and handles all personnel requirements for immediate staff including training and development. 

• Develop processes and manage team to ensure superior stewardship, optimization, delivery, and (cross-platform) post-analysis – but also able to free up more time for creative approaches to each client’s business. 

• Prepare and deliver proposals to various audiences. 

• 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, as well as support MAGNA aggregate negotiations across appropriate channels. 

• Regularly provide performance assessments to the team and help them to work toward their professional goals. 

• Promote an open working environment where opinions, views and ideas can be shared, and curiosity is valued.  

Required Skills and Experience 

• National broadcast media buying experience with demonstrated technical and negotiating skills. 

• Understanding of the principles of marketing, advertising, and media data sources in terms of what is measured, the method, and information reported. Also, an understanding of media concepts, terms, creative, and budget is needed. 

• Superior analytical abilities and quantitative skills with an ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas. 

• Knowledge of buying, planning, client presentation, and reporting. 

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

• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion-project management experience.  

• Proven knowledge of Mediabank and Prisma tools. 

• Ability to delegate and oversee direct reports. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. 

• Strong time-management and organizational skills. 

• Required PC proficiency and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). 

Desired Skills and Experience  

• 6+ years relevant experience including 3+ years supervisory experience such as developing staff. 

• Understanding of research tools. 

• Proven critical thinking and problem-solving ability. 

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

At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community.  

We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.   

We See You at IPG Mediabrands. 

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division 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. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email accommodation@mbww.com.

About IPG Mediabrands 

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.