Purpose: The Investment Lead is responsible for driving value for Unilever through strategic media investment. This includes developing and implementing innovative investment strategies, identifying new investment opportunities, and nurturing strong relationships with media owners in order to drive optimal client value. The Investment Lead plays a critical role in maximising media budget effectiveness and delivering exceptional results for our clients. Critical function that ensures contractual pricing and quality delivery is monitored and delivered.
Investment:
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve existing commitment discounts and optimise media positioning.
- Develop and implement Trading Strategy in line with contractual obligations and WPP/GroupM responsible investment guidelines
- Work closely with GroupM South Africa Investment team in negotiating best in class discounts and value deals
- Set pricing for planners and continuously adjust it based on seasonality and monthly actuals, ensuring a 0% variance on delivery by the end of the year
- Monthly tracking/reporting to monitor spends vs deals/commitments
- Communicate investment requirements to Client Lead(s), Strategists and Planners on a regular basis
- Comprehensive understanding of media inflation, metrics, calculations, mitigation factors, indices, affinities and conversion that affect media pricing.
- This includes working with the Client Lead to submit an accurate monthly Forecast to GroupM
- Work closely with team to guide investment decisions
- In line with MSA obligations as well as WPP/GroupM responsible investment guidelines
- Work closely with team to ensure media planning & post campaign accuracy
- Work closely with team to ensure media buying & financial system accuracy
- Develop and maintain ways of working for consolidated campaign tracking to monitor performance on a monthly basis
- Ensure that all reasons for potential exclusions/adjustments is documented and filed
- Identify areas of concern timeously and provide workable solutions to ensure that targets/KPIs are on track and met
- Work closely with GroupM South Africa Investment team in tracking/reporting media inflation
- Create and/or update reporting templates as required
- Monthly, Quarterly, Bi-Annual and Annual reporting due to GroupM/MS local, regional and global
- Monthly, Quarterly, Bi-Annual and Annual reporting due to local, regional and global client
- Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of available media implementation tools (Telmar, Arianna, Addynamix, Media Inflation Watch)
Relationship Building & Collaboration:
- In-depth comprehension of all contractual obligations & guarantees
- Understand audit methodology and calculations
- Up to date with SA media landscape and factors that may affect media deliverables
- Build & maintain good working relationships with teams in SA and ROA
- Develop & upskill team members to ensure optimal ways of working, campaign delivery and reporting accuracy & timeous delivery
- Existing knowledge of ROA markets, landscapes, challenges & opportunities will be hugely beneficial!
- Build & maintain good working relationships with MS/GroupM regional and global teams
- Cultivate and manage strong relationships with key media suppliers to secure advantageous terms and deliver a competitive edge for Unilever
The ideal candidate
- The ideal candidate should excel in managing numerous dynamic elements, handling high volumes of work, and adapting to constant change
- Significant work experience across media disciplines including Implementation Planning, Buying and finance.
- Proven track record of success in an agency or media owner organisation.
- Deep understanding of media performance measurement metrics across all media channels.
- Strong numeracy skills and a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics of ATL and digital media.
- Proficiency with media planning and buying tools, including Telmar and Ariana.
- Strong target orientation, with a proven ability to drive results and meet deadlines effectively.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong understanding of media implementation processes and ability to drive operational excellence.
- Exceptional organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong Negotiation and commercial acumen
- Methodical, process driven
- Compliance adherence
- Analytical
- Attention to detail
- Proficient in excel
- Ability
KPIs
- Reporting accuracy & timeous delivery
- Manage and deliver on Audit requirements
- Meeting contractual obligation (media)
- Audit pass (financial)
- Client Satisfaction Score
- Include ROA and MS Regional/Global team feedback
