VP, Investment and Activation

Quad•Chicago, IL

4d•$175,830 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The VP, Investment leads senior media relationships across a portfolio of clients, and is responsible for interfacing and interacting with clients, all Rise and QAS departments and / or other Quad teams on a regular basis to strengthen client relationships and grow client business. This is a hand-on role that provides ongoing communication, consulting, and insights regarding strategic media decisions and emerging trends in specific media channels, sectors, and spaces in which Rise has deep expertise and talent, while also providing ideas and consultative support. The VP leads and participates in new business initiatives including in-person pitch meetings, RFPs and spec work. The VP is responsible for ensuring team infrastructure / organization, resource deployment and staff training within Investment keeps up with client and new business demand. In partnership with peers, the VP also oversees and drives operational aspects of the department including technology usage / deployment, financial planning / analysis, development / implementation of client contracts and SOWs, implementation of company-wide initiatives and day-to-day processes / execution of for all media channels.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (communications, marketing, advertising, or business)
Ability to speak, read and write the English language
15+ years of marketing / media / channel experience (corporate or agency) in client-facing roles
10+ years developing and managing high performance teams
Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with clients (including C-suite), vendors and all levels of the organization
High degree of business acumen and sound decision-making abilities
Deep experience working with performance-based and brand-based clients, including retail
Ability to identify / recruit / retain top talent; experience positively managing personnel issues
Proven ability as a creative problem solver
Proven ability to manage multiple, simultaneous short- and long-term projects
Track record of demonstrating strong judgment and prioritization capabilities
Ability to implement change quickly to support evolving / changing client initiatives
Possess superior knowledge of the media industry, demonstrating depth in media strategy and full funnel (brand + demand) marketing across all channels, media analytics / ROI, and planning and buying local and national media
Demonstrated ability to grow and expand the agency’s offering at the channel level, specifically demonstrating deep knowledge of search, social and programmatic
Influential and persuasive communicator with strong interpersonal skills; exceptional ability to grow and foster internal / external relationships
Strong presentation and impeccable written and verbal communication skills
Expert ability to create strategic, compelling and thoughtful written and visual strategic proposals / presentations with rationale
Demonstrated ability to learn and understand each client’s business; act as an extension of the client with working knowledge of issues that could influence media decisions
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, cross-functional teams
Passion for a purpose-driven, team oriented, client-first, cross-functional culture
Possess a desire for excellence and success in a rapid-paced, deadline-committed environment
Demonstrated problem-solver with the ability to provide creative solutions that result in positive outcomes
Ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision to direct and maximize team performance
Expert synthesizer of detail and information for client, peer and management consumption
Exhibit sound business judgment to navigate through everyday client and team challenges, commanding both authority and respect
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications; advanced Microsoft Excel experience a plus

Nice To Haves

Experience managing offshore teams a plus

Responsibilities

Participate in the new business process, helping to sell prospects on the Rise value proposition, products and services; likewise, support business development efforts that grow current accounts organically and leverage both the Rise and Quad suite of services
Work with other department VPs and directors to collaborate and sell cross-functionally; detect and problem solve any issues that arise re: same
Evolve the media offering (ongoing) to keep pace with changes in the media landscape and in response to changing client objectives; ensure Rise leverages vendor relationships, talent and resources as appropriate
Contribute to delivery of corporate financial commitments related to agency P&L; review the financial performance for the prior month and for YTD ongoing; participate in annual corporate financial planning, analysis and expense management
Develop contracts / pricing / Scope of Work documents, together with internal legal / contract teams and / or the client, that appropriately define each client engagement and benefit both Rise and the client; steward executed Scope of Work details, and manage team to the successful, error-free execution of every media engagement (ongoing)
Work with clients to establish media goals, objectives and strategies within budget; advise client management on relevancy and practicality of recommended media strategies, tactics and recommended alternatives
Partner with the Director, Partnerships to identify new partners, develop testing strategies and cultivate strong relationships across partner portfolio, including responsibility for JBP stewardship and fulfillment, as assigned
Lead teams in successful vendor negotiations to ensure optimum use of budgeted funds and long-term contracts
Responsible for managing a team of direct reports (remote and across all Rise locations) with accountability for all aspects of team oversight, including employee onboarding, employee training, employee performance (accountability and behavior), employee retention
Effectively motivate and lead team while fostering accountability and ownership; marshal onshore / offshore resources to ensure proper team structure, staffing levels and budget performance
Overall control of workflow and assigned responsibilities within the team; oversee the progress of all projects and provide assistance, where necessary, to ensure timely completion; quickly and tactfully troubleshoot employee and client issues; continuously monitor the department’s performance and quality of the work product
Collaborate with leadership and peers to develop solutions that will enhance our operational efficiency, tools, and systems, and improve current workflows, including use of AI and other emerging technologies
Work with direct reports to help develop their staff management and mentoring skills