Senior Direct IO Manager

Responsibilities

• lead digital-first media planning and activation with a deep emphasis on premium publisher partnerships, sponsorships, and cross-channel brand experiences
• drive integrated display and video strategies in close collaboration with Programmatic teams, while ensuring traditional media expertise serves as an enhancement bringing breadth and rigor to our holistic approach
• As the day-to-day client lead, you will architect and oversee innovative digital activations, high-impact partnerships, and custom content programs that push brands forward
• You will also guide selective traditional media executions (Linear, OOH, Audio) as complementary layers within the broader strategy
• This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong POV, a drive to elevate partnerships, and the ability to challenge the norm in pursuit of brand-building outcomes
• If you excel in fast-paced environments, thrive on collaboration, and are passionate about cultivating talent and modern media craft, this is an opportunity to lead meaningful innovation
• 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

Requirements

• 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

Preferred

• Experience overseeing traditional media (Linear TV, Radio, OOH) is a meaningful plus

Benefits

• Remote-first culture
• Unlimited PTO
• Extended Holiday break (Winter)
• Flexible schedules
• 100% paid parental leave
• 401(k) matching
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Pet Insurance
• Sponsored life insurance
• Short Term Disability insurance and additional voluntary insurance
• Annual Class Pass credits and more!