Media Buyer

Initiative; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37 paid days off including vacation

Flexible hybrid work model

Formal training opportunities

Global agency network

Employee networks

Job summary

Initiative Canada seeks a Media Buyer to join our integrated media investment team in Toronto. The role involves negotiating campaigns, purchasing media to plan parameters, and preparing pre-buy and post-buy reports to support client objectives.

You will collaborate with planning teams, manage budgets, track changes, and contribute to market analyses while developing knowledge of the media landscape across multiple partners and platforms.

Qualifications

• Professional or Educational background in Marketing or Advertising would give leverage to this application.
• Associate level of experience within the media industry with proven buying experience.
• Driven desire to develop and excel in a media career.
• Client service oriented.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Strong learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly developed organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent ability to manage and prioritize time effectively.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, assisting the team, self-development, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to develop and foster relationships with media partners.
• Proficient with media research tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Negotiate media campaigns directly with sales representatives.
• Purchase all assigned media to campaign parameters.
• Request submissions for upcoming campaigns from media partners.
• Develop a media schedule that satisfies campaign parameters and brand objectives.
• In partnership with the media planning team address market concerns, timing, and brand attribution.
• Prepare and present pre-buy and post-buy reports.
• Upload media buys and track changes with a high level of accuracy.
• Responsible for solving and clearing billing discrepancies/queries, and managing the budget control report (BCR) in a timely manner.
• Execute all relevant revisions to the media buy.
• Negotiate compensation as required.
• Ensure clear communication with the planning teams (e.g. involvement in briefs).
• Assist the Senior Buyer on the evaluation or cost value analysis of sponsorships and integrations and make recommendations where appropriate.
• Explore promotional or value-added opportunities where applicable.
• Proactively advise the team of any variations to execution of media plans.
• Assist with training junior employees on tools and processes.
• Assist with the preparation of media point of views (POVs).
• Prepare market analyses.
• Conduct third party audits as required.
• Continue to proactively develop knowledge of the media landscape.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical

Budget mgmt

Media planning

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Marketing/Advertising background

Media buying experience

Tools

Media research tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

The role of a Media Buyer is to prepare, negotiate and document the execution of client’s media buys within their buying group, as well as prepare or assist the Supervisor/Manager in preparing all written documentation for the Planner or Client

(e.g.: pre-buy/post-buy reports, media evaluations/recommendations, and other pertinent documentation).

This role requires you to work as part of an integrated media investment team to ensure the product is grounded in insights and experience, resulting in flawless media executions.

Responsibilities:

• Negotiate media campaigns directly with sales representatives.
• Purchase all assigned media to campaign parameters.
• Request submissions for upcoming campaigns from media partners.
• Develop a media schedule that satisfies campaign parameters and brand objectives.
• In partnership with the media planning team address market concerns, timing, and brand attribution.
• Prepare and present pre-buy and post-buy reports.
• Upload media buys and track changes with a high level of accuracy.
• Responsible for solving and clearing billing discrepancies/queries, and managing the budget control report (BCR) in a timely manner.
• Execute all relevant revisions to the media buy.
• Negotiate compensation as required.
• Ensure clear communication with the planning teams (e.g. involvement in briefs).
• Assist the Senior Buyer on the evaluation or cost value analysis of sponsorships and integrations and make recommendations where appropriate.
• Explore promotional or value-added opportunities where applicable.
• Proactively advise the team of any variations to execution of media plans.
• Assist with training junior employees on tools and processes.
• Assist with the preparation of media point of views (POVs).
• Prepare market analyses.
• Conduct third party audits as required.
• Continue to proactively develop knowledge of the media landscape.

Qualifications:

• Professional or Educational background in Marketing or Advertising would give leverage to this application.
• Associate level of experience within the media industry with proven buying experience.
• Driven desire to develop and excel in a media career.
• Client service oriented.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Strong learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly developed organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent ability to manage and prioritize time effectively.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, assisting the team, self-development, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to develop and foster relationships with media partners.
• Proficient with media research tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 9,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry’s most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC's Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit initiative.com.

What's in it for you?

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to [e-mail]