Addressable Investment Associate Director

This role sits in the Investment craft and will lead a client pod within IPG Mediabrands UK. This role will lead the Media Investment (i.e. Orion, PT, Trend, Partnerships) approach for a set of clients across Mediabrands and report directly into the Agency Investment Lead. They will work upstream with Business Leadership in developing and delivering against client business plans and downstream with the Activation teams to deliver value for clients through IPG’s industry expertise and partnerships.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own media investment strategy for their clients by working cross-functionally within Mediabrands with Business Leadership, Activation, Solutions and other Investment teams (e.g. Trading and Client Solutions).
• Deliver annual client investment plans that demonstrate growth and value for clients.
• Pitch proprietary solutions and partnerships to clients based on extensive knowledge of Mediabrands network and partnerships.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key agency partners to drive delivery against Trading targets for their clients.
• Negotiate campaign level pricing and value for clients as part of the planning process.
• Identify new opportunities for partnership and work with the horizontal Investment leads and Trading teams to bring these to life.

New Business Development

• Ownership of RFP inputs and assistance with the development of Investment products and approach within the strategic response.
• A member of the onboarding team for new clients to identify investment solutions and manage partner relationship transitions and development.

Engagement and Industry Presence

• Work with the MP to develop industry POVs (e.g. Brand Safety, HFSS, Tech Acquisitions) and deliver these to clients.
• Champion the strategic vision laid out by the MP, MD and CIO internally and externally.
• Work as a single point of contact for media owners and partners to streamline workflow across briefing, negotiation and partnership development.
• Complete any required compliance and risk management training to ensure planning follows company policies and legal requirements.

Innovation & Market Analysis

• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies and align this with client ambitions.
• Promote the Stream and IPG Mediabrands’ reputation within the industry by joining panels at events and participating in thought leadership opportunities both internally and externally.

Training & Team Management

• Team management including resource allocation, client scoping and GCC utilisation as directed by the MP.
• Manage the professional development of junior members of the team, including goal setting and fulfilling training requirements.
• Deliver agency training for Investment overall and new Investment Solutions.
• Assist in delivery of Media Owner engagement plans e.g. managing internal sessions, workshops or training.

Experience Required

• Client Strategy Development: Demonstrated ability to own and develop comprehensive media investment strategies for a diverse set of clients, working cross-functionally with various internal teams (Business Leadership, Activation, Solutions, Trading, Client Solutions).
• Proprietary Solutions & Partnerships: Proven experience in pitching and implementing proprietary solutions and partnerships, leveraging a deep understanding of an agency's network and offerings.
• Agency Partnership Management: Strong experience in cultivating and maintaining robust relationships with key agency partners to achieve trading targets and client objectives.
• Negotiation Expertise: Skilled in negotiating campaign-level pricing and value for clients as an integral part of the planning process.
• Opportunity Identification: Ability to identify and develop new partnership opportunities, collaborating with horizontal Investment leads and Trading teams.
• New Business Development Support: Experience contributing to RFP inputs and assisting in the development of investment products and strategic responses for new business pitches.
• Client Onboarding: Participation in client onboarding processes, focusing on identifying investment solutions and managing partner relationship transitions.
• Industry Thought Leadership & Presence: Experience in developing and delivering industry POVs (e.g., Brand Safety, HFSS, Tech Acquisitions) to clients and contributing to thought leadership internally and externally (e.g., panels, events). Proven ability to champion and communicate a strategic vision.
• Media Owner Relationship Management: Experience acting as a primary point of contact for media owners and partners, streamlining workflow across briefing, negotiation, and partnership development.
• Market Analysis & Innovation: Demonstrated ability to stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and market analysis, aligning these insights with client ambitions.
• Team Leadership & Development: Experience in team management, including resource allocation, client scoping, and guiding the professional development of junior team members (goal setting, training).
• Experience in delivering agency-wide training for investment processes and new investment solutions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, comfortable in a consultative, client-facing environment.
• Quantitative & Analytical Skills: Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions based on data, including experience with statistics and related analysis methodologies.
• Ad Tech Knowledge: Fundamental knowledge of ad targeting methodologies and a good understanding of ad networks, ad exchanges, DSPs, and/or auction marketplaces.
• Project Management: Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with the ability to learn and apply new concepts and tools quickly.

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).
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme.
• 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.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free eye tests.
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!