In this role you will support the development of a world-class media Investment and operations department, driving effectiveness and efficiencies across all campaigns, categories, markets and media types. You will oversee adidas' global media partnerships of circa €250-300m, its regional and local media investment strategy, and to supervise the media operations and ad technology functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the Global Investment and operations output, Instilling a culture of effectiveness, efficiency and value
• Develop the strategic approach to media Investments, covering Global media partnerships, Global ad technology, Global programmatic deals, and Global guidance to help regional and local teams with Investment priorities and techniques
• Manage the global relationship with, but not limited to, Google, Meta, Spotify, Snap, Teads, Twitter, Amazon, and all ad technology companies related to media usage and Investment
• Manage the contractual process with media partners and ad technology, working with Procurement to ensure delivery of appropriate terms and conditions based on prioritizing cost effectiveness
• Lead the relationship from adidas with the media Investment teams at the Global media agency, bringing in respective teams such as Procurement, Legal and Finance where required
• Bridge the gap between investment, campaign strategy, media tactics and measurement so that Investment priorities are focused to delivering growth to the business rather than savings
• Collaborate closely with other adidas functions who have a vested interest in investment, media partnerships and ad technology companies. Ensure they are up to speed, are working towards the same goals and follow the Investment lead
• Lead the relationship and contractual terms of the media management platform
• Regularly have teams review and audit adidas' and the agency's use of the media management platform and other ad technology. Take appropriate actions where required in order to maximize the value to adidas
• Support the Global media taxonomy, developing a synchronized naming convention across all platforms and technologies
• Collaborate with Measurement and Analytics teams to ensure naming conventions, agency and partners deliver the required Information at a Global, Regional and Local level
• Oversees the programmatic investment strategy, including but not limited to all use of ad technology, deals, Investments, tactics, tests, contracts, auditing
• Takes final ownership of admin rights across all media related ad technologies and systems for all adidas, agency and partner personnel
• Supports Snr Director of Media in decision-making on principle buying, barter, upfronts, media related AI, use of networks, or any area that affects transparency of media Investments for adidas
• Supports the Snr Director of Media with agency relationship, Including philosophy, terms, contracts, auditing rights, compliance, service, reviews, negotiations, pitches
• Collaborates with Procurement, and Is the media team lead, across all audits, including but not limited to performance, service, compliance, and financial
• Works with Regional marketing and media directors to ensure their agency needs are being met, they are actively participating In the global media deals, are utilizing technologies correctly
• Ingrains feedback from Regional and Local media directors and their teams Into the strategy and choices of media partnerships, technologies and systems
• Regularly trains and oversees the team training key personnel at adidas and the agency on the media Investment strategy, our approach to technology, and why we are focusing on effectiveness
• Collaborates with the media planning team to train creative agencies on the media Investment strategy, technologies and opportunities derived from the Investment approach

Key Relationships:

Global media team and agency, local media teams and agencies, tech vendors, media owners, Global brand and category communications teams, regional and local marketing teams, finance, sales, eCommerce, PR, Legal, consumer insights, consumer analytics, creative agencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep experience of planning, buying and measuring media within a top 4 media agency
• Investment experience across global partnerships, deals, strategies
• Proven track record of working on media and tech contracts
• Strong negotiation skills
• Highly analytical with a concerned attention to detail
• Financial experience, ideally within an agency, managing P&Ls, billings, reconciliations, audits
• An In-depth understanding of the full range of media channels and how they work together within a media plan: search, affiliates, social, online video, display, TV, cinema, print, outdoor etc.
• A comprehensive understanding of marketing and media effectiveness, particularly of leading studies
• Understanding of media agency set-up and structures, with knowledge of how this impacts agency decision making and campaign delivery
• Broad understanding and passion for the media Industry

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:  

• 7 years + media experience across both agency and client
• Minimum of 1 year’s client-side experience