Media Activation Specialist

ZURU; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Culture for Growth

Health Benefits

Global Opportunities

A-Player Team

Fruits and refreshments

Job summary

ZURU is seeking a Media Activation Specialist to own paid media across ZURU Edge brands and coordinate with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and The Trade Desk. You will optimize budgets, drive performance insights, and collaborate with the India team to ensure seamless cross-border campaigns.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions, strong Excel analysis, and a growth path toward leadership. You will work within a fast-paced, innovative environment with global opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field.
• 2-4 years' hands-on paid media experience.
• Experience with Meta, TikTok, YouTube, or Google/Trade Desk platforms.
• Strong Excel skills and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain paid media strategy for assigned ZURU Edge brands and related campaigns.
• Create, execute, and optimise paid media campaigns with precise pacing across platforms.
• Manage budgets and analyse performance to hit targets.
• Lead campaign performance reporting with the Planning team and share learnings.
• Develop and grow relationships with platform reps (TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Google).
• Collaborate with the India team to align cross-office campaigns.
• Drive continuous improvement and explore AI tools when appropriate.
• Mentor Coordinators and support transition from Coordinator to Executive.

Skills

Paid media

Excel

Attention to detail

Digital marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field

Tools

Meta

TikTok

YouTube

Google/The Trade Desk

Retail media

Programmatic DOOH

Job description

Take full ownership of a paid media portfolio at ZURU: manage budgets across Edge brands, build direct relationships with TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Google, and turn performance data into real commercial impact.

Position Overview

At ZURU, we put innovation and excellence at the core of everything we do, principles that have helped position us as one of the leading advertisers globally across digital and social platforms. The Media Activation Specialist drives paid media buying for ZURU Edge brands across TikTok, YouTube, Meta, The Trade Desk, and emerging channels like retail media and programmatic DOOH. Building on the Coordinator foundation, the role adds direct partner relationships, deeper data analysis, and oversight of setup work handed to the India-based team, with a growth path toward Head Executive and Manager.

About ZURU

ZURU exists to disrupt industries and challenge the status quo through radical innovation and automation. ZURU Toys reimagines play, ZURU Tech is building the next construction revolution, and ZURU Edge pioneers next‑generation FMCG brands for modern consumers.

Founded in 2003 by Nick and Mat Mowbray (EY Entrepreneur of the Year, World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame), ZURU has grown to a team of over 5,000 across more than 30 countries.

Our toy brands, including Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, X‑Shot, Rainbocorns, and Smashers, are some of the most recognised in the world. Our FMCG brands include MONDAY Haircare, Rascals, NOOD, BONKERS, and Gumi Yum Surprise.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Portfolio ownership – Own and maintain the paid media strategy for an assigned portfolio of ZURU Edge brands, stepping in on other campaigns across the team as needed.

• Campaign execution & pacing – Create, execute, and optimise paid media campaigns across TikTok, YouTube, Meta, The Trade Desk, and emerging channels like retail media and programmatic DOOH, with flawless pacing and delivery against plan.

• Budget & optimisation – Manage paid media budgets across brands, analysing performance and recommending adjustments to hit targets.

• Reporting & insight – Drive campaign performance reporting in conjunction with the Media Planning team, sharing learnings with brand teams and across the wider ZURU business.

• Partner relationship management – Grow relationships with TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Google partner reps collaboratively and progressively, meeting weekly or fortnightly to unlock advanced product and investment opportunities.

• India collaboration – Work closely with the Paid Media Lead and the India‑based team, ensuring seamless communication and consistent campaign execution across both offices.

• Continuous improvement – Challenge current ways of working to drive new platform, process, and technology adoption, including exploring AI tools once the core workload is solid.

• Cross‑functional partnership & mentorship – Present portfolio performance confidently to the brand and content teams, and support newer Coordinators with setup questions as part of the Coordinator‑to‑Executive pathway.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or a related field preferred, with a genuine passion for digital marketing.

• 2‑4 years' hands‑on paid media experience (agency or in‑house); performance marketing/buying background preferred.

• Working knowledge of Meta, TikTok, YouTube, or Google/The Trade Desk ad platforms, with experience in at least one essential and openness to learn the rest.

• Strong Excel skills, comfortable using data to challenge and justify media decisions.

• Strong attention to detail and a willingness to take ownership and accountability for outcomes, not just tasks.

What We Offer

• Culture for Growth

• Health Benefits

• Global Opportunities

• Surrounded by an A Player Team

• Lots of fresh fruit, coffee, pals fridge and more

ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow

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