SVP, Direct Investments

Here’s what it takes to be successful in the role:

● Local Market Authority & Strategic Vision: You possess an unrivaled understanding of the US Local Media landscape while seeing the "macro" picture of national trends. You translate this knowledge into high-level investment strategies that give clients a competitive advantage in local markets across TV, Radio, Cable, and OOH.

● Operational Leadership & Team Stewardship: You have a sophisticated understanding of agency economics and resource allocation. You are fully accountable for the team's operational efficiency, staffing models, and budget management. You make data-driven decisions that optimize team performance and drive sustainable growth for the Direct Investments practice.

● Master Negotiator & Relationship Builder: You are a formidable negotiator with deep-rooted relationships with media owners, vendors, and station groups at both the national and local levels. You leverage these relationships to secure "first-look" opportunities, unique integrations, and superior pricing for clients across broadcast, OOH, sports, and experiential partnerships.

● Transformational Problem-Solving & Innovation: You excel at deconstructing complex investment challenges and architecting scalable solutions. You foster a culture of innovation, specifically identifying new media opportunities and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in programmatic activation (pDOOH/pAudio) and direct investment.

● Executive Communication & Thought Leadership: You are a masterful communicator and a recognized industry voice. You serve as the strategic lead in senior client communications and presentations, articulating complex investment theses with clarity.

You are committed to producing high-value thought leadership content that elevates the agency's profile.

● Organizational Agility & Talent Development: You are a passionate "leader of leaders," dedicated to attracting, mentoring, and retaining top-tier investment talent. You foster an inclusive, high-performance culture that values deep market expertise and continuous professional growth.

Responsibilities:

● Define and execute the strategic vision for the Direct Investments department, modernizing Local Media Buying while integrating specialized capabilities in OOH, Audio, Sports Marketing, and Sponsorships.

● Lead, mentor, and inspire a large, multi-disciplinary team (including Directors and VPs), fostering a culture of precision, accountability, and deep market knowledge. Oversee all recruitment, training, and career development frameworks for the department.

● Serve as the primary Strategic Lead in senior client communications, presentations, and high-stakes meetings, articulating the value of integrated local and engagement strategies.

● Oversee the strategic approach to "Programmatic Activation Briefs" for pDOOH and pAudio, ensuring the team translates high-level strategy into effective execution briefs for programmatic traders.

● Drive negotiations for optimal rates and preferred partnerships across the entire investment landscape, from local broadcast station groups to major OOH vendors and sports franchises.

● Proactively identify and champion new media opportunities and emerging technologies (e.g., new local measurement currencies, interactive OOH), ensuring the agency remains at the cutting edge of the industry.

● Develop and publish industry-leading thought leadership content (white papers, articles, speaking engagements) that positions the agency as an expert in Direct Investments and Local Activation.

● Oversee all Local Investment strategies across Spot TV, Spot Radio, Local Cable, Local OOH, and Digital extensions, ensuring optimal market coverage and efficiency for clients.

● Manage the operational health of the Direct Investments practice, including staffing models, technology investments, and resource allocation, ensuring the team is structured for success.

● Architect and manage proprietary trading models or preferred partnerships with local media groups and aggregators to drive unique value for the agency's clients.

● Act as the agency’s primary expert on Local Market dynamics, providing high-level counsel to clients on geographical prioritization, market nuances, and competitive localized spending.

● Lead the integration of "Audience Activation" strategies into broader investment plans, ensuring local efforts are cohesive with national or programmatic layers.

● Lead major new business development initiatives, serving as the senior investment lead in pitches and demonstrating the agency's superiority in local market activation.

● Represent BarkleyOKRP at major industry events (e.g., NAB, Local Media Association, OOH conferences), enhancing the agency's reputation as a powerhouse in Direct and Local Investments.

● Other duties/responsibilities may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications:

● 12-15+ years of extensive experience in Media Investment, with a specific, proven track record in Local Media Buying and Strategy at a senior level.

● Deep expertise in local broadcast (TV/Radio) and local OOH markets, including a strong understanding of local measurement currencies (Nielsen Audio/Video, Comscore, Geopath).

● Proven experience managing significant P&L responsibilities and leading large investment teams.

● Strong proficiency with media buying platforms widely used in local trading (e.g., Strata, Core, Mediaocean) and modern data enablement tools.

● Exceptional negotiation skills with a history of structuring complex, agency-level deals with media holding companies or large station groups.

● Outstanding executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex local market dynamics for C-level clients.

● Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach, capable of bridging the gap between traditional local buying and modern audience-based targeting.

● Must be a visionary leader who is passionate about the power of local media to drive business results.

 

The annual gross base salary range is $180,000- $225,000 USD.  This range represents the anticipated target salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and are based on factors such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and geographic location. Salary is one component of BarkleyOKRP's total compensation package, which includes multiple health insurance options, flexible PTO, life insurance, and 401K.