Manager, Digital Activation

Company Description

Merkle is a leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company. For over 30 years, Fortune 1,000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with us to build and maximize the value of their customer portfolios.

Job Description

As a Manager, Digital Activation you will be a part of an innovative, fast-growing department focused on revolutionizing digital media planning and buying, in the context of a multi-channel data-driven approach. You will support account(s) through a variety of paid tactics such as cross-device display ads, video (i.e. YouTube), and audio (Spotify). The purchasing of ad space is managed through a DSP where cost and placement of clients' ads are controlled. The combination of creativity and strategic flexibility associated with paid media makes this a powerful way for companies to reach potential customers. 

• Using your analytical mindset, you will be responsible for the platform strategy and planning, and overseeing activation, performance and reporting of digital media campaigns across all buying platforms, focused on programmatic, CTV, Audio and partner direct buys. 

• Be the programmatic expert for the client on campaign performance and optimization providing insights into the best strategies and tactics to achieve business objectives 

• Lead the creation of integrated media plans, including, but not limited to, leading the partner analysis to determine platform mix and the partner RFP process. 

• Collaborate with the team on audience planning inclusive of leveraging first party data for targeting and insights 

• Work with the analytics teams to provide insights to the client when needed. Flag issues or inconsistencies. 

• Oversee the work of Specialists, train technical knowledge and manage workflow. Provide strategic guidance and oversight. Be a strong Career Advocate for Specialist and/or Sr. Specialists, ensuring consistent feedback and career progression conversations 

• Oversee the coordination of assets and tags with vendors to ensure campaigns are delivering against KPIs 

• Recommend forward thinking strategies and innovations 

• Consult and work with other cross-channel leaders for seamless execution 

• Build training materials and best practice documentation, sourcing from broader team where needed, refreshing to ensure best practices applied 

• Responsible for budget management & performance across digital media campaigns and financial management including issuance/revisions of monthly insertion orders, oversight of client’s billing and financial reconciliation on a monthly and quarterly basis, and resolution of media invoice and ad service fee discrepancies    

• Responsible for day-to-day client relationship inclusive of leading status calls to discuss performance, upcoming projects, key dates, etc., providing strategic recommendation to achieve business objectives 

• Maintain awareness of new marketing platforms and techniques, as well as look for opportunities to innovate and develop new techniques   

• This position reports to the Associate Director or Director, Media Services 

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience working in the digital media buying & planning space (prior agency experience preferred) 

• Hands-on expertise with programmatic DSPs (DV360, The Trade Desk, etc.) buying platforms 

• Proficient understanding of ad ops trafficking concepts, implications with respect to media activation and key roles & responsibilities 

• Experience in cross-team collaboration and coordination to achieve business results 

• Deep experience against various media buying strategies; self-service, managed service, partner negotiations 

• Must love and be curious about data analytics and how that affects the bottom line 

• Keen problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities 

• Professional client communication, both written and verbal; be friendly, cheerful and patient, and enjoy explaining complicated concepts to others    

• Ability to handle multiple projects and prioritize responsibilities and delegate to Specialists 

• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment 

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail 

• Well-versed in the Microsoft Office suite specifically, Excel and PowerPoint 

• Intermediate to advanced use of Excel including the ability to use formulas, functions and pivot tables 

• Enthusiasm for the future of digital marketing and building that future with us 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or u