Director, Direct Negotiation

Known; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited paid time off

401k with company matching and no vest

Generous medical plan

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Known, a data science and creative advertising leader in the United States, seeks a Director, Direct I/O in New York to own the local broadcast investment practice. You will partner with a digital buying team of analysts, data scientists, and software engineers to optimize media investments and drive measurable outcomes.

You will lead negotiations with stations and rep firms, own estimates and posts, and mentor a team of buyers while collaborating on modeling and forecasting initiatives that

Qualifications

• 10+ years in local broadcast buying
• Advanced Excel and modeling experience
• Experience translating analytics into media buy decisions
• Strong negotiation and client-facing skills
• Proven ability to mentor buyers and grow teams

Responsibilities

• Own local broadcast investment strategy across markets, dayparts and station groups
• Lead negotiations with stations and rep firms to maximize value
• Ensure accuracy of estimates and posts; diagnose underdelivery and adjust as needed
• Present recommendations to clients and manage escalations
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to bring predictive analytics into planning
• Define team standards for estimating methodology, QA, stewardship cadence, and reconciliation
• Mentor buyers and build bench strength
• Manage station and rep relationships as an ongoing portfolio

Skills

Local broadcast buying

Negotiation

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Predictive analytics

Team mentoring

Media planning

Communication

Tools

Mediaocean Spectra

Mediaocean Prisma

Job description

WE HAVE CREATED A WORLD WHERE ART AND SCIENCE ARE BEST FRIENDS

Known is what happens when a data science firm and a creative agency stop arguing and start collaborating. We were built from scratch with PhD data scientists and award-winning creatives working on the same briefs, from day one. That structure earned us an Ad Age #3 A-List ranking, back-to-back Data & Insights Agency of the Year wins, plus Emmys, Cannes Lions, Clios, and Effies across clients in finance, tech, entertainment, consumer goods, and real estate. We're distributed across the U.S. and unapologetically ambitious.

If you're tired of choosing between doing smart work and doing creative work, you'll fit right in here.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU

Known's Media Science team uses advanced analytics, machine learning, and statistics to plan and optimize advertising dollars. We translate our clients' business goals into meaningful metrics and buy media across every channel to hit those outcomes. We're looking for a Director, Direct I/O to own our local broadcast investment practice and partner with a digital buying team of analysts, data scientists, and software engineers.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own local broadcast investment strategy for your clients, setting how dollars are allocated across markets, dayparts, and station groups
• Lead negotiations with stations and rep firms, using Known's portfolio scale to win rates and value-add that a single-client buyer can't get
• Own the accuracy and the consequences of estimates and posts. Diagnose underdelivery, hold stations to make-goods, and decide when to move money
• Act as the senior broadcast voice in client conversations. Present the recommendation, defend it, and handle escalations directly
• Partner with our data scientists and engineers to bring modeling and predictive analytics into broadcast planning, and help set the roadmap for Known's local TV IP
• Define the standards the rest of the team works to, covering estimating methodology, QA, stewardship cadence, and reconciliation
• Mentor buyers. Review their work, sharpen their negotiation instincts, and build the bench
• Manage station and rep relationships as an ongoing portfolio rather than buy by buy

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE

• 10+ years in local broadcast buying, including time leading buys or people
• Deep command of the local broadcast landscape, including station group dynamics, market nuance, and where the leverage sits in a negotiation
• Expert-level Mediaocean (Spectra and Prisma)
• A track record of negotiated outcomes you can speak to specifically, not just buys you executed
• Fluency in core TV and radio concepts and the judgment to know when the standard approach is wrong for a client
• Experience bringing insights and analytics into a media buy, and the ability to explain the math to a client who doesn't have it
• Advanced Excel, including building your own models rather than filling in someone else's
• Strong quantitative skills and strategic thinking on complex problems
• Comfort owning senior client relationships
• Experience with predictive analytics or data science is a plus

NICE TO HAVE

• Understanding of the digital video landscape and ability to look at a video plan holistically across broadcast and digital channels
• Knowledge of National Video

SOME OF OUR PERKS

• Unlimited paid time off
• 401k with company matching and no vesting period
• Generous medical plan
• Paid parental leave

ONE LAST THING TO ASK YOURSELF

All this might sound great, but you’re probably still wondering, “Would I be a good fit for Known?” or “Would Known be a good fit for me?” Our culture is propped up by four values that we aspire to every day: We are one team. We see the good. We never stop learning. There’s always a better way. At Known we are setting out to build something more than just a company. We are building a legacy filled with exceptionally talented people with a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and origin stories who feel encouraged and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to partner with us in molding and shaping our culture through our values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or locally protected class.

The base salary for this position is $140K-$150K

This range is posted in compliance with state and municipal Pay Transparency laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to receive additional Known benefits.

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