Media Buyer, Out of Home Investment

The ideal candidate has experience planning and buying Outdoor campaigns across multiple markets in the US and can hit the ground running on day one. We are looking for an upbeat, outgoing Buyer who can develop strategic OOH plans and effectively present their strategy via strong written and verbal skills. This role has the opportunity to learn about and negotiate trade deals with vendor partners, so networking is a key component to this position. This role also has the opportunity to guide and mentor an assistant. Our goal is to provide this person with continued growth opportunities by having them lead accounts, foster internal and external relationships, participate in client meetings and negotiate trade deals.

Duties and Responsibilities
Media Buying and Planning Responsibilities (45% of time):
• Manage and lead key agency accounts being both the internal and external day to day contact
• Steward OOH media plans from inception through completion including:
o Writing RFPs to be issued to vendors and ensuring that all appropriate vendors within a market are included in the request
o Negotiate OOH media buys
o Provide back-up research data to support the OOH recommendation. This includes, but is not limited to research from Nielsen, Arbitron & Scarborough
o Work with Planning Teams/Agencies to ensure plans are on strategy and meet client objectives
o Oversee posting of media to ensure the campaign is executed accurately and in a timely manner
o Performs market rides as needed
• In depth knowledge of available vendors and media formats in markets relevant to assigned client(s)

Managerial Responsibilities (30% of time):
• Supervise Assistant Buyer’s day to day workload
• Manage internal agency relationships
• Participate in strategy development and brainstorming meetings

Administrative Responsibilities (10% of time):
• Cross check plans and all supporting documents for accuracy (billing, specs, contracts etc.)
• Oversee the contracting process with approved media buys and ensure adherence to process

Media Industry Expertise (10% of time):
• Write department POVs on new opportunities and seek new trends and opportunities within the industry
• Attend agency meetings including vendor and client as needed

Networking Responsibilities (5% of time):
• Actively develop and maintain strong media vendor relationships
• Build Agency’s reputation as best in class within the media industry and vendor community
• Attend industry and client related functions and networking events 1-2 times a month outside normal business hours
• Be an active, participating member of relevant industry organizations such as the Advertising Club of New York
• Create new trade partnerships with media vendors

Results and Expectations
• Maintain and produce professional and high, quality work for Agency and assigned client(s)
• Act as a role model and mentor to Assistant Buyer(s)
• Ability to work independently on key plans/accounts with supervision
• Manage workload and client initiatives both up (to VP, Director) and down (to Assistant Buyer)
• Develop strong and effective media plans based on sound strategies and research
• Work with vendors, clients and internal agency departments to ensure OOH campaigns are executed on strategy

Knowledge and Skills Required
• 3 – 5 years relevant work experience
• Understanding of basic media planning terms and concepts such as GRPs, ROI, reach and frequency
• Understanding of Out of Home Ratings
• Knowledge of various research tools and studies available and how each apply to Out of Home
• Experience using DoMedia and STRATA a plus

Core Competencies
• Must pay extreme attention to detail and be able to proofread documents for accuracy
• Must be highly organized
• In depth knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to integrate and work successfully with various agency teams, handle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines under pressure