VP, Media Activation (NBCUniversal)

Essence, part of GroupM, is a global data and measurement-driven media agency whose mission is to make advertising more valuable to the world. Clients include Google, Flipkart, NBCUniversal, L'Oreal and the Financial Times. The agency is more than 1,800 people strong, manages $4B in annualized media spend and deploys campaigns in 106 markets via 20 offices in APAC, EMEA and North America.

Visit essenceglobal.com for more information and follow us on Twitter at @essenceglobal

About the role

The Activation Lead acts as our client - Universal Pictures - senior partner and expert for all paid media. This role is responsible for delivering best in class digital media campaigns to meet our client’s KPIs.  Success in this role involves providing strategic insight across a breadth of products and digital channels, partnering with our clients and Media Planning leads across all campaigns (eg: Trolls, Minions, Fast & Furious Franchise), owning best practice and optimization strategies, and inspiring a team of 25+, including ultimate responsibility for the quality of work within this team.

Some of the things we’d like you to do:

• Develop strong relationships with key clients, publisher partners, and internal Essence leaders - leading team communications with these stakeholders.
• Drive the ongoing strategy for social, SEM, programmatic, and digital video channels
• Develop thought leadership pieces & case studies throughout the course of the year to galvanize role within the wider industry as an expert
• Deliver quarterly, semi-annual, and annual updates on work quality as it relates to owned work-streams (eg: Programmatic, Video & Social QBRs)
• Oversee adherence to media activation best practices adherence in NA 
• Be a Motivational Leader, leading by example while encouraging and coaching juniors on the team
• Lead through vision, values, and model leadership behaviors while championing and facilitating change in a positive manner
• Provide timely and actionable feedback to the team to aid in their development, improvement, and progress. Provide awareness and recognition for jobs well done
• Be a strong and effective communicator across all levels; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships both internally and externally
• Coaching and mentoring for Activation Directors and Associate Directors
• Support client team directors & VP/SVP of Media Activation in capacity planning & resource management for the team (team of 25+)

A bit about yourself:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated progression in a role managing a staff of 20+
• Proven experience at Director+ level in a Digital Media or Advertising role
• Approximately 10+  years of experience in a digital media agency, a minimum of 8 years of Paid Social/programmatic planning & buying experience, a minimum of 6 years of people management experience.
• Knowledge of:
• A passion for everything digital, with an active interest and understanding of online advertising industry trends
• Strong understanding of optimization levers & testing approaches
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are particularly important in developing client relationships and maintaining efficient communication across the team