Freelancer, Group Director Video Partnerships

Business Overview

Initiative is different to other media agencies.

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 & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, LEGO, 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.

Position Overview

The Freelancer Group Director, Video Partnerships is a senior client leadership role, managing client media investment across an assigned specialist group. The GD must act as the investment leader for Initiative clients, driving collaboration, excellence and quality of product across all channels to deliver the most strategic, holistic, and integrated investment solutions. This role is also responsible for seeking partnership opportunities outside of paid media across all channels.

Responsibilities

Client

• Partner with Initiative Strategy, Communications Design, Analytics and Business leaders to build outstanding relationships with clients based on trust, advocacy in the marketplace and a clear understanding of clients’ business objectives.
• Articulate and synthesize emerging marketplace trends and behaviors to ensure our teams inform and recommend evolving solutions to clients
• Elevate media partner relationships to drive client opportunities, first looks and innovative solutions.

Internal

• Inspire teams to push boundaries and exhibit the core behaviors of Initiative
• Establish an environment of collaboration and teamwork among disparate groups
• Ensure specialist team is regularly applying best in class tools and processes to deliver recommendations that drive client KPI’s and business objectives
• Facilitate “intelligent investment” techniques across partner evaluation, partnership development, negotiation and stewardship in order to deliver maximum strategic value and efficiency
• Institute stewardship techniques to drive constant improvement and ensure that each partner delivers against partnership framework and guarantees
• Act as a catalyst for innovation & experimentation that drives cutting edge investment solutions
• Team education through formal Initiative training and via peer to peer training programs
• Encourage / facilitate rotation / training process that ensures team growth and development across the full agency ecosystem
• Facilitate self-education through industry events, cross-training and rotational opportunities and regular consumption & dialogue around industry news

Commercial

• Support and facilitate all Initiative and IPG new business, revenue and industry initiatives
• Facilitate organic growth opportunities with current clients not only for Initiative, but across IPG MBs
• Provide Partnerships support for various new business pitches, from authoring RFP submissions to developing and presenting cross-channel solutions to prospective clients
• Support and collaborate with all IPG MB SBU’s for maximum effectiveness and seamless integration onto client business
• Support MAGNA aggregate negotiations

Required Skills and Experience

• Ability to interpret analyze data to inform go-to-market strategies 
• Strong marketplace relationships with senior sales people at major media companies 
• Creative approach to defining deal terms including pricing models and value based on client objectives 
• High level of comfort presenting to clients and internal team members 
• Proven track record with client relations and growing existing business 
• Solid understanding of marketing/communications process and the role of media partnerships in it
• Fluent in mathematical concepts with an ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas 
• Solid understanding of research tools 
• Knowledge of buying, planning, client presentation and reporting 
• Superior analytical abilities and quantitative skills, including math proficiency 
• Technical proficiency, particularly with media systems and MS Excel, Word, an