Manager, Investment

About WPP Media 

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand 

EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

Role Summary and Impact 

WPP Media is seeking a Manager, Media Buying with a passion for marketing and a strong understanding of the media landscape. This pivotal role within our Investment team is responsible for bringing media plans to life by expertly negotiating and purchasing media real estate. Working closely with Media Planners and vendors, you will be integral to capturing our clients' vision, reaching their intended audiences, and delivering optimal outcomes. This position offers the opportunity to mentor junior staff while engaging in higher-level projects and strategic planning, contributing to WPP Media's united approach to the marketplace.

About the Role

The Manager, Media Buying is a dynamic role focused on both media buying and planning. You will be responsible for a broad range of tasks, including developing go-to-market buy recommendations (vendor/station selection and tactics), negotiating media buys, entering and reconciling campaigns, developing vendor and landscape POVs, and preparing marketplace reports. This role requires a priority on executing and reconciling broadcast go-to-market recommendations and supporting planning with client-facing presentations.

Your Impact:

• Lead, with the support of an Associate Director, on all aspects of communication plan development and recommendations.
• Work with the planning team and utilize 3rd party syndicated research resources (i.e., Instar, Numeris VAM, etc.) to develop recommendations.
• Finalize RFP lists and collaborate with the team to review all proposals.
• Take the lead on negotiation of finalized plans with partners for all standard and integrated buys.
• Review and distribute POVs for relevant partners and opportunities.
• Stay up-to-date on all communications with the planning team, including buy authorizations, tracking reports, buy changes, creative specifications, etc.
• Conduct ongoing management and stewardship of campaigns (e.g., pacing).
• Create optimization recommendations.
• Work with the Buy Enablement team to reconcile campaigns.
• Take an active role in coordinating all reporting with planning and analytics.
• Manage client financials such as budget reconciliation and budget management.
• Provide benchmark and value reporting.
• Grow, engage, retain, and recruit the best talent.
• Manage junior staff on the implementation and optimization of campaigns for accuracy.
• Supervise junior staff to ensure timely deliverables and reconciliation.

Your Skills & Behaviour:

• Embraces the WPP Media Growth Mindset by exhibiting adaptability, inclusivity, sincerity, curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and teamwork.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong presentation skills.
• Excellent time management skills: proven ability to prioritize and organize workload, and operate under tight deadlines while managing multiple projects.
• Exceptional organizational skills and detail-oriented.
• Showcase a natural gift for grasping concepts quickly and making good judgments.
• Ability to work on own initiative; pre-emptive and proactive; constantly thinking ahead; demonstrating a hands-on and highly organized approach to all tasks.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships with other cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced work environment effectively.
• Strong capability in customer service skills and communications.
• Strong leadership and people skills; ability to manage direct reports.
• Comfortable with ambiguity - flexible & adaptable with a willingness to learn and assist wherever needed.
• Comfortable working with budgets/numbers and a strong understanding of mathematical concepts.
• The desire to create and contribute to an environment where ‘innovation as usual’ thrives in everyday work.

Your Education and Experience:

• College Diploma or Bachelor’s degree, preferably in advertising, marketing, business administration or communications, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of buying experience across all markets (Conventional & Specialty), preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Experience managing junior staff.
• Proficiency with 3rd party syndicated research resources (Instar, Lens, etc.).
• Proficiency with media tools (e.g., Prisma, DDS).

Life at WPP Media & Benefits 

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP Media is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with WPP Media, please send an e-mail to WPP Media Leave Administration at Leave.Administration@groupm.com or call (212) 297-8507 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.