Senior Direct IO Manager

You Will Be Leading end-to-end strategy, planning, and activation across direct digital partnerships, including: Always-on, seasonal, and high-profile campaigns Digital-first sponsorships, tentpoles, and custom content integrations 360 activations spanning digital, physical, and experiential touchpoints Driving modern partnership innovation by: Identifying non-standard digital opportunities including custom content, creator tie-ins, experiential extensions, emerging formats Bringing forward new publisher, data, and measurement solutions that elevate client growth Championing advanced measurement adoption across digital partner programs Shaping strategy & client leadership: Building deep understanding of client business goals, audiences, and KPIs Ensuring all Direct IO activations ladder into unified, integrated media strategies Leading the full RFP process from brief development through vendor evaluation, negotiation, and final client presentation Elevating operational excellence: Improving workflows across planning, trafficking, reporting, and ad operations Developing negotiation best practices and actively upskilling the team Identifying incremental partnership opportunities and securing added value Collaborating cross-functionally: Partnering with Programmatic and Integrated Media leaders to deliver a cohesive Display & Video ecosystem Leveraging traditional media knowledge (Linear, OOH, Audio) as value-add expertise that informs and complements digital programs You Must Have 3+ years of media planning & buying experience, with a strong emphasis on premium digital partnerships, sponsorships, and custom activations Proven ability to build and execute large-scale, publisher-direct programs that include brief development, partner vetting, negotiation, and storytelling through recommendations Strong understanding of digital media channels across display, video, social, and branded content Familiarity with programmatic and how direct and programmatic strategies intersect to create a unified media approach Experience overseeing or supporting traditional media (Linear TV, Radio, OOH)—not required but a meaningful plus Demonstrated ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously and deliver high-quality work in compressed timelines Strong relationship-building skills with publishers, vendors, and internal partners Experience developing processes and elevating operational efficiencies A future-focused, inquisitive mindset with a natural inclination to reimagine and improve