Manager, Commerce Search

IPG Mediabrands•New York, NY

About The Position

We are looking for you - dynamic, best-in-class talent - to join the growing Commerce team as a Manager. In this role you will be responsible for managing Sr. Associates & Associates and supporting in the development, planning, buying, executing and measuring media plans for designated shopper/commerce media clients. You will support the Associate Director/Director in the strategic and tactical development of each retail plan. You’ll work closely with national Planning and Buying teams to allow for holistic Commerce media function. The Commerce team is a specialty group that focuses on the planning, buying, execution and measurement of Commerce media. Commerce media is any specific media elements that are retailer focused/tagged. This can be in-store signage such as a coupon machine or shelfblade, a billboard driving shoppers to a Walmart store, digital ads (search, display, OLV/STV, etc) on Amazon or Kroger.com site via managed or self service, tapping influencers that support certain retailers or working with shoppable technology companies to ensure ease of conversion. The team supports client’s commerce/shopper/customer marketing teams—our end goal measuring product sales both online and in-store. Who You Are A passionate and driven professional, you excel at translating client business objectives at the senior level into Commerce daily tactical execution, to drive sales online and in-store. You’re ready to challenge the status quo to produce world-class campaigns for high profile brands and take pride in your ability to clearly articulate the outcomes of the tactics and the strategy to the client as the day-to-day client lead. You thrive in a multi-functional role and enjoy training and coaching team members to ensure flawless tactical execution.

Requirements

Strong working knowledge of commerce industry and platforms including major retailers and supporting technology (e.g. Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Roundel, Pacvue, Skai, Criteo, Citrus, etc.)
Proven knowledge of media planning & planning with use of research tools and resources
Proven ability to understand high level client goals and how they translate into commerce strategies
Proven experience in writing and presenting relevant information to client audience
Can carry conversations with clients easily
Knowledge with industry tools such as MediaTools, Prisma, etc
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
3+ years of working experience required, with 1+ years experience in a people manager role; strong ability to delegate, train, and support direct reports
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven problem-solving ability
Self- sufficient and proactive
Project management; effectively managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Time management and project management skills are critical
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and excellent quantitative analysis skills

Nice To Haves

2+ years of commerce experience working across multiple retailers preferred
Experience in web analytics, ad tracking and other biddable media (e.g. paid search)
Ability to manage team, both upwards and downwards, to ensure cross team communication

Responsibilities

Knowledge of multiple retail media networks & their platforms, may include Amazon, Walmart, Roundel, Kroger, etc.
Seasoned experience with self-service search platforms for both retailer specific (e.g. WMC, Roundel Media Studio, etc.) as well as aggregators (e.g. Criteo, Citrus, Pacvue, Skai, etc.)
Comfortable and knowledgeable with D2C platforms (e.g. Google, Bing, Shopping, etc.)
Understands individual RMN capabilities across tactic, targeting, reporting methodology, etc.
Active participant in development, presentation, management and measurement of omnichannel commerce media programs and defines program objectives and strategies consistent with brand marketing objectives
Ensures strategic consistency across all elements of plan development and implementation
Participates in and guides Senior Associate during campaign buildout inclusive of keywords/targeting. Coaches Senior Associate campaign creation and search strategy to get best plan for client
Takes learnings from previous campaigns and apply to next campaign
Proactively identifies growth opportunities and shares ideas for potential test and learns
Delivers an effective detailed media plan, inclusive of tactics, audiences, flighting, KPIs, etc. that drives client performance
Contributes to the creation of client ready materials (e.g. presentations, reporting, etc) and delivers client communications
Serves as first check for client documents ensuring accuracy and ease of understanding information
Ability to tailor client presentations to the audience (i.e. Senior Level vs. Junior Level)
Supports in establishing and implementing best practices within client accounts
Ability to assess and rank issues and tasks in order of importance for taking action and escalating as needed
Anticipates, recognizes, and clearly defines problems using various techniques to systematically analyze, weigh alternatives and propose solutions
Work with Senior Associate to update any status documents and timelines whether internal or client facing. Responsible for ensuring all tasks are captured and tracking toward completion
Implements team and client centric processes to ensure accuracy of all deliverables (e.g. client documents, budget stewardship/management/client billing), improve overall team performance and minimize risk of human error through consistent implementation of QA guardrails
Supervises buying process and stewardship for media programs to ensure original objectives are being met
Oversees and participates when needed in daily campaign & budget management including optimizations
Oversees and assists Senior Associate with building campaigns within relevant search platforms. Responsible for ensuring campaigns are built out correctly within platform
Oversees coordination of creative assets between client, creative agencies and partners
Provides copy ideas for specific campaigns when appropriate
Monitors pacing to ensure delivery is appropriate and aligned to campaign flighting for both managed and self service campaigns
Measures media performance at all stages to ensure original objectives and strategies are being met to client satisfaction
Development, execution and testing across campaign variables that create client specific insight and drive future testing opportunities
Oversees analysis and reporting of data on daily/weekly/bi-weekly/monthly & ad-hoc basis
Supports Senior Associate with pulling data from self service platforms as needed
Turns insights into long term action by highlighting clear flow of cause, effect and next steps
Maintains client and industry benchmarks for point of comparison when evaluating campaign performance
Responsible for assisting Senior Associate in clearing billing with finance team
Oversees day-to-day relationship with media partners and leads negotiation of commerce media for specific programs, where applicable
Works cross-functionally with national planning & investment, ad operations, product, reporting, analytics, finance and other groups across the account
Maintains client relationships and ensures timely creation & delivery of work
Assists in managing team performance to achieve desired results based on defined roles and responsibilities for the Associates & Senior Associates
Ensures knowledge sharing across internal teams, open communication & provides thought leadership
Identifies & builds functional expertise or knowledge in a relevant, unique & specific media area, including commerce media expertise
Aware of knowledge level and experience of Senior Associates and Associates. Ability to spend extra time where needed to develop direct reports
Seeks out information to remain current on media trends and shares with team members with relevant implications/potential opportunities
Understands client business objectives and connections to day to day work
Support team in development of thought leadership and innovation deliverables