VP – Client Advice and Management

The Vice President (VP), Client Advice and Management is responsible for leading teams of media professionals to devise innovative, scalable, measurable media solutions that drive highly engaging consumer experiences. Digital marketing is a key vehicle and would be infused throughout the entire campaign solution. The Vice President (VP), Client Advice and Management is responsible for maintaining an efficient team that achieves strong profitability, and building strong working relationships with clients at all levels, and partners (i.e. creative agencies, ancillary businesses). Inspiring creative media solutions that are grounded in insight is a key requirement.

Responsibilities:

· Assume overall responsibility for the team’s total media product from strategy to tactical recommendation

· Look for and deliver new and innovative solutions to client business issues and challenges

· Oversees development of plans consisting of building media strategies tied to brand marketing objectives and strategies, across channels

· Provide thought leadership and help develop strategic direction for media planning and buying across traditional and digital mediums

· Cultivate an ongoing understanding of client business, operations & marketing strategies and how these relate to media & communication strategies

· Provide media solutions and thought leadership to executive level client leaders

· Ensure that client relationships continue to be strengthened by high quality work and continual innovation

· Collaborate with creative agencies, media planning, and activation partners to develop ideas aligned to client strategy

· Partners with analytics and research teams to develop Point of Views (POVs) on research and measurement solutions for clients

· Evangelizes the strategic planning process and FBDS positioning and ensures that media plans are informed by these values

· Play a key role in the negotiation of client agreements including scope of work and corresponding efficient staff plans

· Continually monitor and identify areas of both opportunity and risk with regards to achieving business objectives

· Drive organic growth by proactively identifying opportunities to deepen our relationship with clients via Mediabrands’ Speciality Business Units (SBUs)

· Inspire and lead the team in the development of creative and innovative and on-strategy media solutions grounded in insight

· Seamlessly integrate all groups (investment, digital, strategy) and collectively drive against client and business objectives

· Participate in new business activities as needed

Qualifications:

· Executive level of progressive experience in media planning within an agency environment, or a combination of media agency and client-side marketing/media experience

· Senior level of experience managing and developing large staffs across multiple teams

· Experience leading the media product for a matrixed, complex client with multiple LOB’s, varied Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and related stakeholders

· Demonstrated business and financial acumen, with strong business planning experience

· Proven ability to cultivate strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and media partners

· Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills

· Ability to influence and negotiate win-win solutions

· Exemplary leadership and people-management skills

· Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving abilities

· Operates with a collaborative approach and a ‘can do’ mindset

· Creative and adaptive thinker who enjoys learning, taking on unfamiliar challenges, and shaping new strategic approaches and frameworks

· Proven ability to drive strategic solutions

· Previous experience leading new business planning and presentation

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 and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. 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 9,000+ 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. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry’s most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC’s Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit initiative.com.

What’s in it for you?
•    Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
•    A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
•    A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
•    A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
•    The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to [email protected]