VP, Activation

dentsu•New York, NY

1d•$164,450 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for a hands-on activation leader to run day-to-day execution across Search, Social, Video, Programmatic, Local, and Commerce for a defined book of business. This role turns the agency’s craft standards and AI-enabled playbooks into results on real accounts – managing channel leads, owning QA and performance, and building the client relationships that keep those accounts growing. The VP partners with the EVP on standard-setting but owns execution. This role sits at the intersection of modern media. The VP, Cross-Channel Activation will work in close partnership with agency stakeholder groups spanning Client Leadership, Marketplaces & Partnerships, and Decisioning to deliver end-to-end media solutions for their accounts. This position reports to the EVP, Head of Activation.

Requirements

10+ years’ experience in digital marketing (either at an agency or client brand)
6+ years’ experience in people management
Proven track record of converting media into business results
Working knowledge of the US media environment, including the AdTech required to execute digital media programs
Experience managing complex business processes across multiple internal teams

Responsibilities

Enforce cross-channel Activation craft standards across Search, Social, Video, Programmatic, Local, and Commerce for your book of business, holding channel leads accountable to agency benchmarks.
Roll out AI-enabled workflows, standardized playbooks, and governance models within your accounts; flag gaps back to the EVP for agency-wide fixes.
Serve as first-line escalation for Activation performance issues on your accounts.
Pilot new AI, automation, and data tools within your accounts before wider rollout; report results back to the innovation agenda.
Surface platform and technology opportunities specific to your client roster; bring them to the EVP for joint evaluation.
Drive adoption of new operating models and tools across your teams. Be the on-the-ground change agent for transformation initiatives.
Build strong relationships with client leadership, analytics/decisioning, and creative teams assigned to your accounts.
Navigate the matrixed organization to unblock your teams, escalating structural issues to the EVP with proposed resolution and jointly work to across the network.
Partner with creative and analytics counterparts to deliver integrated media solutions for your clients.
Represent Activation in client-facing narrative and pitch support for your accounts with the expectation of occasional participation, not a standing mandate.
Support Growth and Strategy on new business for your client vertical when called on.
Contribute case studies and results from your accounts to the agency’s broader thought leadership output.