The Manager – Media Channel Activation leads a team of Media Buyers to build a best‑in‑class in‑house media operation within their assigned channel vertical. This role transforms high‑level media strategy into flawless channel activation—owning execution from campaign setup and QA through optimization, delivery, and performance reporting. As a channel SME, this leader influences strategic planning through data‑driven insights and continuous improvement recommendations.

Essential Job Functions

1. People Leadership & Team Development

• Foster an inclusive environment where team members feel supported and empowered to do their best work.
• Guide team members in professional development, goal‑setting, and skill growth through consistent, actionable feedback.
• Hold the team accountable to deadlines and deliverables, ensuring seamless coordination across internal and external partners.
• Provide ongoing training on best practices, emerging trends, media principles, and industry developments.
• Partner with Media Leads to support a competitive hiring process and maintain a strong talent pipeline aligned with organizational needs.

2. Channel Ownership & Performance Accountability

• Own performance for TV & Programmatic ensuring campaigns meet or exceed objectives.
• Oversee budget allocation across platforms and line items, optimizing for efficiency and impact.
• Identify opportunities for advanced platform features, alphas/betas, and emerging ad‑tech capabilities.
• Monitor evolving trends, tools, and marketplace shifts across biddable media, applying insights in partnership with performance teams.

3. Strategic Partnership & Scenario Planning

• Partner with Media Leads on channel forecasting, budgeting, and pacing.
• Research and recommend innovative media solutions that enhance the overarching Paid Media Strategy.
• Lead scenario planning and rapid‑response modeling for incremental investments or real‑time opportunities.

4. Insights, Reporting & Executive Representation

• Coach team members to produce actionable, data‑driven insights grounded in performance results.
• Represent channel health, performance narratives, and optimization recommendations in executive‑level settings.
• Serve as the organizational SME for channel‑specific activation, trends, and advancement.

5. Operational Excellence & Ad Quality Management

• Oversee trafficking, QA, and final sign‑off for all campaign builds, ensuring flawless execution.
• Maintain strict adherence to brand safety, frequency management, quality standards, and platform compliance.
• Build and sustain relationships with external partners (publishers, platforms, ad‑tech vendors).
• Advance best practices in bidding, pacing, budgeting, ad operations, and reporting frameworks.

6. Workflow & Project Management

• Collaborate with Media Leads to understand workload projections and adjust timelines for optimal delivery.
• Lead recurring channel‑focused meetings, providing clear documentation and performance recaps.
• Ensure visibility into project status, blockers, and opportunities across the team.

Job Requirements

• 6+ years executing Programmatic campaigns within DSPs (DV360 and Verizon Media required, additional DSPs a plus)
• 2+ years managing a team of at least 3–4 media professionals.
• Strong balance of analytical and strategic thinking.
• Ability to understand and activate holistic digital media strategies.
• Proficiency with advanced analytics, attribution modeling, and interpreting large datasets to drive performance.
• Hands‑on leadership style with the ability to coach team members while stepping in as a practitioner when needed.
• Highly collaborative with strong organizational, delegation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of Programmatic inventory, including PMP and Open Exchange optimization strategies.
• Expertise in Linear TV operations, agency principles, and emerging CTV/OTT environments, including measurement and optimization.
• Proven ability to translate complex Programmatic, TV, and CTV concepts into actionable training and guidance for hands‑on‑keyboard teams.

This position will be based at our national executive office in Memphis, TN and eligible for hybrid working schedule.