Senior Associate, Commerce

Business Overview 

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn 'action' into 'outcome' for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, P3, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com.

Position Summary

We are looking for you - dynamic, best-in-class talent - to join the growing Commerce team as a Senior Associate. In this role you will support in the development, planning, buying, executing and measuring media plans for designated shopper/commerce media clients. As a Senior Associate, you will create, innovate, and guide Commerce planning and buying processes. 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
Enthusiastic about media with a desire to learn and build knowledge across all aspects of commerce inclusive of retail media networks, programmatic media, instore, shoppable tech and more. You thrive in a fast paced and fun environment. You’re ready to level up your career in media and are excited to partner with some of the world’s leading consumer brands.

Responsibilities

• Media Knowledge
  • Knowledge of media channels (e.g. display, OLV, STV, instore, OOH, etc.) and/or retail media networks & their platforms o Familiar with both DSP interface functionality and levers (campaign hierarchy, audience builder, PMP/PG set up, reporting suite) as well as managed service dashboards
  • Preliminary understanding of individual RMN capabilities across tactic, targeting, reporting methodology, etc.
• Account Management & Strategy
  • Supports Manager in development, presentation, management and measurement of omnichannel commerce media programs
  • Leads RFP and negotiation process for managed service campaigns ensuring previous learnings are applied
  • Assists in building audience targeting details and budget allocation at the tactic/placement level based on client goals for either self service or with partners during the RFP process
    
  • Takes learnings from previous campaigns and apply to next campaign
  • Hosts kick off calls for new campaign launches with partners and/or DSP activation team ensuring client approved strategy is reflected accurately in self service platform
  • Supports in identification of growth opportunities and shares ideas for potential test and learns
  • Takes lead on managing vendor communications and delivers client communications where appropriate
  • Contributes in building an effective detailed media plan, inclusive of tactics, audiences, flighting, KPIs, etc. that drives client performance
  • Input and manage plans within MediaTools where applicable
  • Supports in the creation of client ready materials (e.g. presentations, reporting, etc.)
  • Maintain detailed files of all pertinent records (latest media plans, performance reports, etc.) relevant to clients’ business
  • Responsible for owning any status documents and timelines whether internal or client facing
  • Responsible for accurate meeting minutes and recaps/next steps where appropriate
  • Demonstration of knowledge of outstanding deliverables on the team agenda
  • Day to day lead for billing and responsible for actualizing and clearing invoices
• Execution
  •  Involved in buying process and stewardship for media programs to ensure original objectives are being met
    • Managed service: works with partners to maintain campaign and optimize based on performance, monitors within partner dashboards where applicable
    • Self service: works with DSP activation team to ensure relevant strategies are implemented and campaigns are optimize based on performance, monitors within platform
    • Works with retailers and DSP partners to ensure proper data onboarding and any necessary paperwork is completed prior to campaign launch
  • Responsible for locating, determining, and building relevant audience segments in DSP platforms
  • Manages coordination of creative assets between client, creative agencies and partners
  • Owns accurately entering IOs into Prisma and building Trafficking sheets
  • Become proficient with 3rd party ad-serving and site served placements, tracking & analytic systems to be able to accurately input media plan details and launch campaigns
  • 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
  • Analyzes and reports data on daily/weekly/bi-weekly/monthly & ad-hoc basis
    • Data may be provided from partners or DSP activation team, with self service data being reviewed more frequently
    • Turns insights into long term action by highlighting clear flow of cause, effect and next steps
  • Demonstrates ability to use historical data or vendor relationships to create benchmarks for current campaign performance
  • Maintains client and industry benchmarks for point of comparison when evaluating campaign performance
• Relationships
  • Day to day lead with media partners across communication and scheduling of meetings
  • Works cross-functionally with national planning & investment, ad operations, product, reporting, analytics, finance and other groups across the account
  • Active participants in key vendor meetings ultimately sending recaps/notes for the full team
  • Mentor Associates and provide opportunities for continued growth
• Training/Development
  • Participation in trainings and proactive communication around areas of needed/desired growth for self and Associate
  • Proactive idea sharing with internal team
• Industry Knowledge
  • Seeks out information to remain current on media trends and shares with team members with relevant implications/potential opportunities
  • Familiarity with client business objectives and connections to our day to day work

Required Skills & Experience

• 1-3 years of working experience required
• Agency and/or Commerce media experience preferred
• Working knowledge of commerce industry and platforms including major retailers and supporting technology (e.g. Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, Roundel, Pacvue, Skai, Criteo, TTD, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven problem solving ability
• Self- sufficient and proactive
• Process oriented and organized, with the ability to juggle many tasks at one time. Time management skills are critical
• Project management; effectively managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable in managing up across task progress, campaign performance and team needs 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Knowledge with industry tools such as MediaTools, Prisma, etc.

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. 

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.   

Employment Transparency

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please email accommodation@mbww.com.