CMI Media Group Careers

Description

As a key leader in our organization, the VP, Digital Activation will oversee CMI Media Group’s biddable offerings on assigned accounts including but not limited to SEM, Paid Social, Programmatic and Digital Activation.  This role will also provide key thought leadership both internally and externally.  Additionally, the VP, Digital Activation will lead the development of strategic plans designed to meet clients’ brand and marketing objectives, ensuring seamless implementation and performance analysis.

As part of the core leadership team, the VP, Digital Activation is responsible for building and maintaining strong external relationships with clients, vendors, suppliers and agency partners in collaboration with their client team leads.  Similarly, they will establish and nurture key relationships with internal stakeholders across Engagement Strategy, Client Finance, Supplier Partner Team (SPT), Customer Development Team (CDT), Ad Ops, Media Investment, Insights/Analytics and other digital channels including Video, and Point of Purchase.

This role requires deep expertise in buying, execution, and subsequent evaluation of all biddable strategies, as well as proficiency in leading tools and platforms.

• Lead strategy, innovate and deliver our biddable capabilities on assigned clients.
• Establish goals and KPIs in partnership with Business Insights team for campaigns across SEM, Paid Social, Programmatic, Video or other biddable channels.
• Work with department leadership to ensure best practices and SOPs are created, implemented, updated and executed.
• Work alongside EVP, Digital Activation and other dept leadership to determine opportunities for alternative staffing arrangements to streamline work processes.
• Ensure clients are appropriately staffed and staff is meeting and exceeding billable goals.
• Play a significant role in thought leadership across both endemic and non-endemic opportunities.
• Establish strong, strategic relationships with key partners in the biddable media space including but not limited to Google, Microsoft, Tik Tok, The Trade Desk, PulsePoint, IQVIA, Meta, Twitter/X, etc.
• Identify and lead omnichannel opportunities to connect biddable media channel data, insights and strategies across teams.
• Bring innovative ideas to strategic partners to drive innovation for assigned clients.
• Champion the adoption of proprietary tools and data, ensuring teams maximize their usage.
• Promote CMI Media Group and WPP capabilities by introducing tailored solutions to clients as needed.
• Partner with internal leadership and client leadership to ensure client satisfaction in all biddable media areas.
• Establish relationships with senior members at assigned clients.
• Continuously educate yourself on new technology, data sources, partners and innovations, advocating for their use and adoption within the agency.
• Provide key direction to assigned biddable channel leadership in-line with client and agency goals.
• Hold biddable media teams accountable for executional excellence, reinforcing best practices.
• Represent the organization in public forums on biddable media as appropriate and regularly contribute to thought leadership including conferences, and other press opportunities.
• Partner with biddable media leads on identifying teamwork for industry wide awards and recognition.
• Work closely with other senior leaders within CMI Media Group and WPP in the areas of Client Finance, Analytics, Media Investment, Ad Ops, People Team, etc. to continue delivering best in class support for assigned clients.
• Mentor assigned biddable channel leads; develop their strategic and business skills.
• Develop annual staff development plans and ensure delivery against them.
• Provide leadership needed to achieve client goals while providing feedback and support to assigned team.

• Strategic Vision & Leadership-The ability to set a clear direction for digital activation strategies, ensuring alignment with business objectives while inspiring teams to execute effectively.
• Data-Driven Decision Making-Adept at leveraging analytics and performance metrics to optimize digital campaigns, improve ROI, and drive innovation in biddable media strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration-Capable of building strong relationships with internal teams (e.g., Engagement Strategy, Client Finance, Ad Ops) and external partners to ensure seamless execution and integration of digital initiatives.
• Adaptability & Innovation-Staying ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving digital landscapes to continuously refine strategies and maintain a competitive edge.

Identifies multiple elements of a problem, breaks down each of those elements in detail, showing causal relationships between them, identifies several solutions and weighs the value of each.

Sets clear, challenging, and attainable group goals and expectations that are aligned with those of the organization. Takes action to ensure that others buy into leader’s mission, goals agenda and policy. Generates excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment to the group mission.

• Digital Media Expertise-Possesses a deep understanding of digital media channels, including SEM, Paid Social, Programmatic, and Digital Activation. Stays ahead of industry trends, mastering campaign execution, and optimizing strategies to maximize engagement and conversion. Knowledgeable of bidding strategies, targeting capabilities, audience segmentation, and platform-specific best practices to ensure media investments deliver measurable results.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills-Makes informed decisions based on data. Interprets complex analytics, identifies patterns, and turns insights into actionable strategies that improve performance.
• Leadership & Team Development-Mentors, inspires and empowers teams to excel in digital media execution. Provides strategic guidance, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring professional growth for employees. Navigates challenges, drives collaboration among cross-functional teams, and creates a high-performing environment where team members feel motivated and valued.
• Client & Stakeholder Management-Establishes trust with clients, vendors, suppliers, and agency partners, ensuring seamless execution of marketing strategies. Communicates complex digital concepts in a way that resonates with stakeholders, positioning the agency as a strategic thought leader while aligning digital efforts with client objectives.
• Financial & Budget Management-Skilled at managing budgets, forecasting costs, and optimizing spending. Ensures that financial resources are allocated effectively across digital platforms, balancing innovation with cost-efficiency to maximize impact. Possesses a deep understanding of media buying principles, contract negotiations, and financial reporting to support revenue growth.
• Technology & Platform Proficiency-Proficient in industry-leading tools and platforms that power successful campaigns. Fluent in bid management systems, analytics platforms, ad tech solutions, automation tools, and emerging technologies.

Responsible for demonstrating behaviors aligned to living our CMI Media Group values, inclusion & diversity mission, and company mission and vision, and being accountable in interactions with employees in the company to do the same.

Education, Certifications, Specialized Training:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in marketing, business or any quantitative or analytical related fields.

• 10+ years’ experience managing biddable media campaigns in management platforms like SA360, Sprinkler, TTD or other inventory and optimization platforms.

• Deep expertise in audience suppliers, especially in the areas of Video, Programmatic, Paid Social, SEM and more.

• Excellent digital media background and project management skills.

• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Proven experience leading and building departmental process, partnerships and tools.

• Healthcare/Pharmaceutical background a plus.

• 8+ Years of team management experience.

• 8+ Years of managing partner relationships.

Functional/Technical Knowledge:

• Strong quantitative analysis skills.

• Ability to create, grow and expand relationships with clients, vendors and internal stakeholders.

• Demonstrable passion for learning new technologies.

• Strong business and leadership skills to make independent decisions affecting the daily operations and management of campaigns.

• Passion for working in a fast-growing healthcare media agency. 

• Expert in Digital Media best practices, strategy, and execution.

Physical, Travel and Other Job Specific Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours including outside of normal business hours, as needed.
• Ability to travel as needed to other company or partner offices for meetings and work responsibilities.
• Ability to lift and carry objects, as needed to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to complete timesheets daily.
• Prolonged periods in a stationary position working on a computer.
• Ability to move or transport objects up to 15 pounds (such as your computer) as needed to complete assigned responsibilities.