SVP, Performance Media Lead (Programmatic, Paid Search & Social - Retail Client)

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 269,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental

Vision

Disability

401k

Parental and family leave

Flexible time off

Job summary

Spark Foundry in Chicago is seeking a Senior Vice President, Performance Media Lead to steer the client’s investment philosophy across video, digital, social, search, audio, and more. You will lead cross-channel buying excellence, shape marketplace strategies, negotiate with major media partners, and guide teams toward measurable brand outcomes.

This role emphasizes transparency, governance, and data-driven accountability, with opportunities for thought leadership and innovation in emerging

Qualifications

• 10-12+ years of media buying experience across all platforms.
• Media agency experience.
• Previous team management experience.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to add incremental value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to package, merchandise, and sell in concepts and opportunities.
• Strategic thinking with big-picture perspective.
• Problem-solver with strong project management experience.
• Self-starter capable of working independently and in a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Lead client investment strategy across all channels and set marketplace goals.
• Negotiate with senior- level media partners (broadcast, CTV/streaming, social, programmatic).
• Build relationships with publishers, platforms, and ad-tech partners for premium access.
• Shape investment strategies including channel mix and yield optimization.
• Present investment POVs and quarterly marketplace updates.
• Connect investment moves to brand and business outcomes with cross-functional teams.
• Develop investment processes ensuring transparency and brand safety.
• Oversee forecasting, tracking, and stewardship of investments.
• Lead VPs/Directors across channels; set performance standards.
• Foster curiosity, negotiation excellence, and marketplace innovation.
• Identify emerging channels and new commercial models.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Project management

Team leadership

Independence

Job description

Company description

Spark Foundry was built during the most transformative time in the history of advertising and marketing. We deliver everything a traditional media agency has to offer and have grown into one of the world’s most successful agencies by helping brands evolve their marketing by leveraging identity, commerce, artificial intelligence, and more to connect with people. Transformation is part of our DNA. Spark Foundry’s start-up spirit delivers high-touch approaches and a never-ending desire to challenge the status quo. Combined with Publicis Media’s powerhouse soul leveraging connected data assets, advanced AI applications, and investment clout, we “Bring HEAT to Brands.” No other agency possesses the expertise that we do to address today’s most pressing challenges to drive business transformation through media.

Overview

The SVP, Performance Media Lead is responsible for steering the client’s investment philosophy, marketplace strategy, and cross-channel buying excellence. This role oversees all media investment across video, digital, social, search, audio, OOH, and emerging channels—ensuring value, innovation, and accountability for clients. The SVP acts as the client’s primary voice in the marketplace, guiding partner negotiations, shaping POVs, and elevating media buying and performance.

Responsibilities

Marketplace Leadership & Negotiation

• Lead specific client investment strategy across all channels, setting annual marketplace goals and value frameworks.
• Own senior-level negotiations with major media partners (broadcast, CTV/streaming, social platforms, programmatic supply, publishers).
• Cultivate relationships with publishers, platforms, and ad-tech partners to secure premium access and innovative opportunities.

Client Leadership & Advisory

• Shape client investment strategies including channel mix, rate guidance, risk mitigation, and yield optimization.
• Present annual investment POVs, quarterly marketplace updates, and thought leadership insights.
• Partner with account and strategy leads to connect investment moves to brand and business outcomes.

Operational Excellence & Governance

• Build and refine investment processes that ensure transparency, compliance, brand safety, and data-driven accountability.
• Oversee investment forecasting, tracking, and stewardship to ensure delivery against client commitments.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead a team of VPs/Directors across video, digital, programmatic, and social channels.
• Establish clear performance standards and development plans for investment talent.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, negotiation excellence, and marketplace innovation.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Identify emerging channels, formats, and commercial models that unlock future value for clients.

Qualifications

• 10-12+ years of media buying experience, with progressive levels of responsibility, across all platforms
• Media agency experience
• Previous team management experience
• Excellent negotiation skills and understanding of how to add incremental value without compromisingcommunication needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to package, merchandise, and sell in concepts and new opportunities.
• Strategic thinking, ability to see the bigger picture
• Problem-solver with strong project management experience
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and in a collaborative team setting

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $180,215.00 - USD $268,905.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 9/28/2026.