Barkley

SVP, Direct Investments

Barkley

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Colorado, Illinois, Montana, New York, Texas • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $180,000 - $225,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Define and execute the strategic vision for the Direct Investments department, modernizing Local Media Buying while integrating specialized capabilities in OOH, Audio, Sports Marketing, and Sponsorships.
  • Lead, mentor, and inspire a large, multi-disciplinary team (including Directors and VPs), fostering a culture of precision, accountability, and deep market knowledge. Oversee all recruitment, training, and career development frameworks for the department.
  • Serve as the primary Strategic Lead in senior client communications, presentations, and high-stakes meetings, articulating the value of integrated local and engagement strategies.
  • Oversee the strategic approach to "Programmatic Activation Briefs" for pDOOH and pAudio, ensuring the team translates high-level strategy into effective execution briefs for programmatic traders.
  • Drive negotiations for optimal rates and preferred partnerships across the entire investment landscape, from local broadcast station groups to major OOH vendors and sports franchises.
  • Proactively identify and champion new media opportunities and emerging technologies (e.g., new local measurement currencies, interactive OOH), ensuring the agency remains at the cutting edge of the industry.
  • Develop and publish industry-leading thought leadership content (white papers, articles, speaking engagements) that positions the agency as an expert in Direct Investments and Local Activation.
  • Oversee all Local Investment strategies across Spot TV, Spot Radio, Local Cable, Local OOH, and Digital extensions, ensuring optimal market coverage and efficiency for clients.
  • Manage the operational health of the Direct Investments practice, including staffing models, technology investments, and resource allocation, ensuring the team is structured for success.
  • Architect and manage proprietary trading models or preferred partnerships with local media groups and aggregators to drive unique value for the agency's clients.
  • Act as the agency’s primary expert on Local Market dynamics, providing high-level counsel to clients on geographical prioritization, market nuances, and competitive localized spending.
  • Lead the integration of "Audience Activation" strategies into broader investment plans, ensuring local efforts are cohesive with national or programmatic layers.
  • Lead major new business development initiatives, serving as the senior investment lead in pitches and demonstrating the agency's superiority in local market activation.
  • Represent BarkleyOKRP at major industry events (e.g., NAB, Local Media Association, OOH conferences), enhancing the agency's reputation as a powerhouse in Direct and Local Investments.
  • Other duties/responsibilities may be assigned from time to time.

Requirements

  • 12-15+ years of extensive experience in Media Investment, with a specific, proven track record in Local Media Buying and Strategy at a senior level.
  • Deep expertise in local broadcast (TV/Radio) and local OOH markets, including a strong understanding of local measurement currencies (Nielsen Audio/Video, Comscore, Geopath).
  • Proven experience managing significant P&L responsibilities and leading large investment teams.
  • Strong proficiency with media buying platforms widely used in local trading (e.g., Strata, Core, Mediaocean) and modern data enablement tools.
  • Exceptional negotiation skills with a history of structuring complex, agency-level deals with media holding companies or large station groups.
  • Outstanding executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex local market dynamics for C-level clients.
  • Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach, capable of bridging the gap between traditional local buying and modern audience-based targeting.
  • Must be a visionary leader who is passionate about the power of local media to drive business results.
Benefits
  • multiple health insurance options
  • flexible PTO
  • life insurance
  • 401K

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
Media InvestmentLocal Media BuyingProgrammatic ActivationP&L ManagementNegotiationAudience ActivationData-driven StrategyMarket AnalysisStrategic PlanningTeam Leadership
Soft skills
Executive PresenceCommunicationMentoringInspirationAccountabilityPrecisionVisionary LeadershipClient RelationsC-level CommunicationCohesion