Senior Negotiator, Partnerships

Position Summary

The Senior Negotiator, Partnerships role at Initiative is responsible for managing client’s media investments as well as assisting in the creation and execution of media strategies and effectively communicating these strategies to clients. The position requires the ability to think “big picture” and is the first step towards management. A high level of attention to detail, organization, and the ability to work under pressure is required. 

Job Responsibilities

Client 

• Deliver responsive and superior client customer service
• Become knowledgeable about client’s business and its competitors to determine sufficient advertising and media needs and ensure plans are properly executed and delivered
• Assist in developing POVs for clients

Internal 

• Must have ability to help lead, and a willingness to work with and teach others within the group
• Manage workloads and review documents and reports prepared by them including checking buy details 
• Assist in upfront negotiations and execute scatter needs 
• Begin to allocate budgets to media partners based on research and client objectives
• Help with and oversee the evaluation of media plans.
• Collaborate with media partners to develop promotional and other amplification opportunities to enhance each investment
• Prepare presentation materials, encompassing all pertinent data for buy and for submission to client 
• Execute smooth day-to-day account activities:
• Stewardship 
• Enter buys into Prisma and insure system reflects accurate buys
• Oversee discrepancy resolution – goal is on time clearance of bills
• Monitor network buys daily based on audience delivery data to insure delivery in flight
• Assist Manager in providing management with market conditions/changes; offer solutions to market problems as early as possible in negotiation process 
• Assist in preparing planning costs

Commercial

• Develop and maintain media partner relationships
• Negotiate pricing that reflects efficiencies and clients objectives
• Ensure understanding of MAGNA priority networks

Prioritization: 

• 15% Client
• 85% Internal

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s): 

• Client
• Able to take on a more client facing role (present, POVs, e-mail recommendations) with oversight from senior team 
• Successful oversight of client’s buy stewardship with Negotiators and Associates
• Responsiveness and superior client service
• Internal
• Effectively manages time and responsibilities for self and associates to ensure deadlines are adhered to and workflow is managed properly 
• Develops sophisticated plans that leverage data and analytics where appropriate for multi-faceted media partnerships 
• Collaboration with other disciplines/SBUs (Orion, Cadreon, Comms Design, Reprise and Social) for a holistic buying approach 
• Commercial
• Supports and delivers on MAGNA agency-wide media partnership targets
• Ensures and advocates for agency partner relationships
• Delivers best in class rates and efficiencies through strong negotiations and leverage of Magna partnerships

Desired Skills & Experience

• 2+ years of Media experience; Network preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid negotiating skills 
• Proven problem solving ability 
• Able to work as part of a team in a deadline-driven, high-pressure environment 
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational skills and multi-tasking capabilities 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Word
• Working knowledge to effectively utilize media research and reporting resources 
• Knowledge and understanding of Nielsen services
• Math proficiency
• Proficient with Prisma or equivalent Inventory Management system

Initiative is different to other media agencies.

We are not trapped by a legacy structure primarily centered on paid advertising. Instead, we are liberated by a new world structure designed to deliver highly differentiated and highly effective communications strategies for our clients.

We are the world’s fastest growing media agency built upon the strongest strategic capability of any agency in the market. Core to this strategic proposition is the belief that the faster a brand can move through culture the more relevant it can become.

We call this Cultural Velocity ™.

Our process is designed to create ideas that move through culture through unique insight, market leading analytics and strategic media brilliance.

Our new world model is comprised of “craft centers” – Client Advice and Management, Strategy, Communications Design, Partnership and Culture, Insights & Analytics.