Manager, Media Strategy & Planning

Job Description

The Media Strategy & Planning Team at ESPN develops innovative communication strategies & media plans that drive awareness, consumption, subscriptions, and brand affinity across all properties and platforms to affect the ESPN business.

The Manager will provide strategy and thought leadership in creating, and managing the holistic media strategy of the ESPN Marketing portfolio across owned, paid, and Synergy. They will provide strategy and thought leadership in the development of 360 degree integrated media plans using on & off channel media. The ideal candidate possesses outstanding organizational skills, can provide objective analysis and has the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, work with autonomy, while managing deadlines. This position will report to the Associate Director, Media Strategy & Planning and collaborate closely with others in the group, as well as across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company.

Individual must enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a proven ability to handle a high-volume workload and navigate a matrixed organization with a positive attitude and a solutions oriented mindset.

Responsibilities:
• Lead media strategy and planning of annual campaigns bespoke to addressable audiences, their dynamic behavior, and fulfill business and marketing objectives for Direct to Consumer and Live Sport initiatives
• Create strategy and framework of the communication/media plans that will deliver on goals
• Provide performance analysis, optimizations/rationale, ROI, and insights for campaigns
• Drive forward the IMC Framework in partnership with key stakeholders across campaigns
• Manage day to day work with greater marketing teams: brand teams, in-house creative agency and media agencies towards a seamless and integrated marketing campaign; ensuring creative is well aligned to strategy; and consult on best practices by platform
• Guide junior team members through fundamentals of the planning process
• Delegate responsibilities, mentors, and train junior team members including oversight into their projects – monitoring for progress and accuracy of all communication plans/assignments
• Represents Media Strategy & Planning team on cross functional marketing teams, and external meetings
• Work closely with internal teams to drive information gathering and data analysis efforts to be fan centric and platform agnostic
• Stay on top of sports industry trends, ad products, consumer and viewing behaviors to inform media plans
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned

Basic Qualifications:
• Minimum 4 years of related experience in integrated media planning (brand, corporate, agency or publisher side preferred)
• Must have knowledge of TV, radio, digital, mobile, e-mail, print, OOH, search and social media planning/buying
• Strong knowledge of media landscape, terminology, and measurement
• Proven track of IMC development or experience developing marketing campaigns from scratch including positioning framework, audience identification, media strategy and launch roadmaps
• Passion for data-driven marketing and experience with devising effective strategies based on true insights
• Record of being an effective manager, delegator, and leader
• Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office; familiarity with DoubleClick and social media platforms a plus
• Genuine interest in sports and is excited to influence and impact the fan experience

Preferred Qualifications:
• Proactive self-starter: Thrives in a fast paced environment, can provide an action plan with little/variable direction, has a positive attitude, and can manage own time efficiently and independently
• Aptitude for insight: The ability to find trends in large amounts of data & to inform strategies based on those trends
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills: is able to voice POV in the moment as well in more formal settings, host meaningful discussion, and drive clarity
• Superior organizational skills: Attention to detail oriented with the ability to multitask in face of shifting priorities, and meet multiple deadlines; has superior organization, and project management skills
• Passion for learning & innovation: Strives to build new skillsets & to use meaningful innovation for critical problem solving by asking questions to better understand the culture of the business, policies, practices, and procedures
• Collaborative team player: Strong written and verbal communication skills that allows for the clear articulation of strategy and ideas in order to influence and set direction; seeks advice from peers and senior staff members; and isn't afraid to ask questions
• Adaptable: can work well in both group and individual settings, has strong interpersonal skills, and can interface with a wide variety of personalities
• Willingness to work outside of standard business hours, if needed

Required Education
• Bachelors Degree

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rb1526-3-17-184-90-42 in your application.