Mindstream Media Group is hiring: Chief Media Officer in Chicago

Mindstream Media Group, is a full-service media agency with capabilities and expertise across all channels and disciplines, dedicated to exceeding client expectations and delivering measurable business outcomes for clients.

We are searching for our Chief Media Officer (CMO) to join our Leadership Team. As a pivotal member, the Chief Media Officer will oversee our companies media operations and ensure effective delivery and execution of comprehensive media strategies aligned with client goals. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CMO will play a critical role in the development of standardized processes and best practices to optimize performance and ensure client success.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the evolving media landscape. You have operational excellence, strong management skills, and the ability to foster relationships with clients and media partners. As the CMO, you must possess strong change management experience, with the ability to lead as a change agent, driving the organization towards continuous improvement and technological advancement. Additionally, this individual must have experience leading teams through organizational changes, fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on the collective success. This position also requires up to 25% travel.

Key Responsibilities (Include direct/hands on work and oversight of the team to ensure excellence)

• Oversee and lead a growing media activation team, negotiating, activating and optimizing performance across all channels: Traditional Local TV/Radio, National Radio, National TV/DRTV/Programmatic/Addressable, OOH, Print, Direct Mail, Digital programmatic and site-direct digital (CTV, OTT, OLV, display, native, digital audio), paid search and paid social.
• Design, implement and operationalize improved processes and procedures, new technologies, models, tools, and capabilities as necessary to build a forward-looking activation team, and deliver client success.
• Collaborate with Strategy and Performance Analytics teams to ensure accurate and consistent monitoring, optimization and reporting of campaign performance at varying cadences.
• Proactively identify solutions for pain points and problems to mitigate risk before it happens.
• Establish, maintain and scale relationships with key media partners and suppliers.
• Build internal relationships and maintain an open dialogue with key client leaders across accounts.
• Manage the media operations portfolio of projects assigning resources and establishing prioritization to ensure alignment with client priorities.
• Develop financial and operational strategies to drive revenue growth and profitability.
• Oversee the invoice reconciliation process and collaborate with finance to ensure accuracy.
• Support business development activities, building content for client presentations and QBRs.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement.
• Provide mentoring and support to team members, encouraging collaboration and innovation.
• Expected to travel 25% - 30% of the year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience activating brand and performance-oriented media campaigns across both traditional and digital channels, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within an advertising or marketing agency.
• Strong managerial experience and a deep understanding of digital structure in a media agency.
• Experience negotiating and activating omni-channel campaigns with media and/or sports/entertainment properties (i.e., media, content integrations, sponsorships, partnerships).
• Familiarity and experience with major traditional and digital activation data and technology:
  • Nielsen Video/Audio
  • Comscore Digital
  • Media Ocean OX/Prisma Digital
  • Social buying platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Search buying platforms (Google, Bing) and bid management tools.
  • Competitive reporting platforms
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google Analytics and/or Adobe Analytics
• Experience overseeing investment budgets exceeding $25M.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• Proven experience in leading teams through significant organizational change while fostering a collaborate results focused culture.
• Aptitude in decision-making and the ability to solve most operational problems and make effective and timely decisions based on the knowledge available.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills -- able to get complex ideas across to others in straightforward language.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and media partners.
• Knowledge of the latest media trends, technologies, and best practices.