Head of Media

Job Description

VaynerMedia is a global creative and media agency built for the now. Born in social our work is now full service, simply loving big ideas that connect and create real change for our clients business. We are independently owned, founded in 2009 with offices in London, Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok, Tokyo and Mexico City. And we’re not too bad at what we do, with our work winning in Cannes Lions, the Clios, D&AD and The Webbies to name a few.

Here in EMEA we have huge ambitions. We’ve doubled in size over the last year and broadened both our client list and the kind of work we’re doing for them. Our roots are in social and we love it - it’s where we get to understand different audiences, to experiment, to gain insight and to see how people really engage and respond to ideas.

We are creative and media in equal measure because both are equally important in developing effective communications. A lot of our work in-house (with our own production, edit and motion teams) because execution is key to effectiveness. We believe 100% that brands can be built on digital platforms and part of our model is built bottom up, flipping the traditional advertising model and process on its head. We don’t play to agency/industry norms and our culture and energy reflects that.

We have an incredible client list across EMEA and Globally. Our ideas live and breathe in organic and paid social but also fully integrated campaigns including TVCs, radio, press, OOH (you name it we’re there). Our difference? We learn fast - from what we see and how our audiences really act, alongside cultural cues to create our integrated campaigns.

Infused with the DNA of our founder, we pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit. Being an independent agency affords us the freedom to be bold and stray from convention. It also allows us to pivot quickly, which is key to succeeding in an ever-changing market. The same way Gary was one of the early YouTube influencers, VaynerMedia has been the forerunner in many opportunities, serving as alpha/beta launch partners with platforms from Facebook and YouTube to TikTok and Snapchat.

But ultimately we are people people. We are skills first rather than where you studied and who you know. We’re here to change advertising so we thrive on free-thinkers with big ambitions.

Sound like you?

The Role:

Our Media leaders drive strategic planning and buying across a large / various lines of business across our social and digital teams identifying tactical game plans and setting strategies. These individuals act as a strategic partner to our clients providing assessment of the client's current social and digital proficiencies and areas for improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Finalises and presents media objective and strategy documents for larger efforts and periodic quarterly and annual planning
• Looks for innovative and breakthrough ideas, approaches and solutions and opportunities to expand existing and sell new business to clients
• Manages negotiations for high value and/or complex packages
• Evaluate/approve all recommendations and presentations before sending to client
• Delegate work effectively to, not only teach direct reports, but also deliver seamless client work
• Foster an environment that encourages intelligent risk taking, innovation and creativity
• Assist in interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring, developing and evaluating team members
• Responsible for P&L growth, staffing, operations
• Architects direction and scope; shaping strategy, team, and desired outcomes
• Responsible for account(s) margin contribution health and stability with an eye towards growth across Vayner portfolio
• Structure and solve the complex, multi-dimensional challenges that come with maintaining a healthy agency team and account
• Able to move with ease between micro and macros views, ensuring all are consistent
• Develop and promote a vision and culture that team and clients can see and chart a clear path to achievement
• Position the organisation as a centre of expertise and influence in the industry
• Lead honest, robust and meaningful conversations and regularly give constructive and actionable feedback, specifically focused on developing top talent for future managerial roles
• Responsible for delivering annual reviews, including making promotion and merit based increase recommendations for team members in collaboration with S/EVPs
• Continually collaborate with departmental leadership to develop and enhance Vayner’s recruitment pipeline and talent management best practices
• Deliver best in class holistic media strategies, inclusive of client KPI success and seeking to move the industry at large
• Pursue and vet emerging media opportunities; guiding team on priorities, and adjusting agency-level POVs based on changing market dynamics
• Contribute to industry dialogue, publications, and events adding unique perspective
• Foster a culture where we anchor our media recommendations on realistic business outcomes
• Build, maintain, and grow senior-level client relationships; serving as an executive sponsor and client advisor for multiple clients within the agency portfolio

About you:

• Industry experience working within platform with a proven track record of executing sophisticated, large scale digital media programs that drove tangible business outcomes.
• A proven track record of large-scale media buying proficiency across several buying/ biddable platforms with particular depth in the following:
  • Social: Facebook/Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok
  • Amazon (AMS, Amazon DSP, AMG)
  • Programmatic Display/Video (DV360, The Trade Desk, AppNexus, etc.)
  • Publisher/Partner Direct
  • Connected TV/OTT (Roku, Hulu, etc.)
  • Digital Audio (Spotify, Pandora, etc.)
  • Paid Search (Google, Bing, Amazon)

Nice to have:

• Fluency with analytics, attribution and measurement systems. Including but not limited to: Google Analytics, MOAT/IAS/Double Verify, Nielsen/Millward Brown/Oracle Measurement
• Experience working with attribution partners
• MTA: VIQ, Neustera
• Foot Traffic: Placed, 9th Decimal, PlaceIQ,
• Call Attribution: Dialogtech
• Experience leading and managing growing teams
• Advanced written and presentation communication skills with the ability to command an audience's attention and displays an exceptional gravitas
• A proven understanding and expertise in brand strategy, as well as the social/digital space and how it integrates with the wider marketing mix for Fortune 500 size brands
• Ability to lead by example in terms of attention to detail, general work ethic, empathy and internal/external professionalism.
• You live for today’s digital & mobile consumer and is passionate about developing brand-specific strategies and constantly seeks out innovative partners/platforms to identify new opportunities.
• An individual who demonstrates the ability to navigate a portfolio of brands within a larger conglomerate or business group, gain an understanding of their unique company architectures, to build and strengthen relationships with essential stakeholders
• A person that is well versed in media who can utilise resources to help guide client’s marketing goals in their respective markets (syndicated, proprietary, analyst data)
• Understand and adopt new techniques and technologies that are relevant for clients’ media strategies

How we will support you:

We know talent is our most important asset and our people guide our work and our culture. The last year and a half has challenged us like nothing before, and we are committed to providing the support and flexibility needed for people to do their best work and have fun doing it. We are an open minded bunch and we value diversity of thought and experience. Every person we hire will make us a more creative, innovative and happier agency. You are always welcome to bring an idea or opinion to our work and our ways of working.

For now, these are some of things we have in place to support you...

We regularly review our benefits and are committed to providing a comprehensive programme for our people. This currently includes all the good stuff you would expect from Health Cash Plan, Life Assurance, 27 days holiday per annum through to Pension and Income Protection.

We know some days aren't as good as others and that's OK. We have our mental health partner Sanctus on hand for employee coaching sessions and an Employee Assistance Programme in place should you need it also. We partner with NABS also, an industry specific support organisation who are passionate about helping people thrive.

Sometimes it can be the smaller things that make you smile. We have a wide variety of discounts and benefits through Perkbox and you can also save money on a bike through our generous Cycle to Work Scheme. If R&R is more your thing you can take some time out for a monthly massage, join one of our bi-weekly mindfulness sessions or an employee led yoga sessions. We understand that there has never been a more important time for self care and as such we have a varied wellbeing programme to help you to be your best self.

VaynerMedia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This means that VaynerMedia provides equal employment opportunities to all staff members and job applicants without regard to gender, pregnancy, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexual orientation, religious belief, part time or fixed term employment, age or any other legally protected class.

Candidates must be authorised to work in the U.K.