Manager, Digital Partnerships

Business Overview 

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 & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, and T-Mobile. 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 6,000+ 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.  

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.  

There are four I’s in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.  

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.  
• INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.  
• IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.  
• IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world. 

The Manager, Digital Partnerships is responsible for leading the team of Negotiators and Associates who develop and execute on all digital media plans from inception to completion. The Manager is the monitor of all deliverables, responsible for ensuring work is to specification and correct, as well as in charge of overseeing any applicable teamwork, resource/allocation, growth and development. The Manager will drive the team to explore and identify non-traditional partnerships opportunities. This is critical to their development and the success of the Partnerships division. The Manager of Digital Partnerships will need to be able to identify partnership opportunities that can exist outside of the standard paid media environments and effectively maximize communication across owned and earned media platforms as well.

• Communicate with clients on marketplace intelligence and partnership needs, ensuring alignment with client KPIs
• Manage daily client contact and requests, develop relationships with media partners, and present plan recommendations
• Liaise with internal teams, collaborate for knowledge sharing, and mentor/train associates
• Lead strategic media planning, KPI development, and partner negotiations using data and analytics
• Delegate and oversee plan development, manage budgets and client billing process
• Provide guidance on campaign oversight, reports, and client presentations
• Manage Analytics and Ad Ops relationship for proper tagging, reporting, and optimization
• Secure best marketplace pricing, foster relationships with media partners, and master investment strategies

• Experience across a variety of media channels
• Fundamental understanding of media tools as well as syndicated tools
• Demonstrated ability to develop integrated marketing communication plans encompassing traditional and non-traditional media strategies
• Experience with campaign management/ad serving technology: Double Click DART, Atlas DMT, and/or Media Mind

• 4+ years of experience in digital media planning
• Preferred working knowledge of third-party Internet marketing research: comScore Media Metrix, Nielsen NetView, @Plan, NetRatings, and others
• Ability to communicate concisely and clearly both orally and in writing
• Ability to delegate and oversee Associates and Negotiators workload

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. 

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.   

It is the policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position please email [email protected].