Associate Director, Broadcast Ad Ops (NY, 20650)

Business Overview 

KINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn 'action' into 'outcome' for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI, and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, P3, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com.

The Associate Director, Broadcast Ad Operations is a senior level role at Initiative, with a primary focus on leading and managing all aspects of broadcast clearance, including clearance for competitive programming. This position is responsible for ensuring that all broadcast materials meet network, legal, and client standards, with a particular emphasis on securing timely clearance across a variety of programming environments. While the role includes oversight of the traffic function, the core responsibility is to drive the clearance process from start to finish, ensuring seamless execution across all campaigns. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with deep expertise in broadcast clearance especially in navigating competitive environments along with a proven track record of managing teams, handling complex workflows under tight deadlines, and collaborating effectively with internal teams, clients, and media partners.

Client Responsibilities

• Deliver responsive, high quality client service with a focus on broadcast clearance requirements, including clearance for competitive programming.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clearance related needs, clearly communicating processes, timelines, and requirements to clients and their creative agencies.
• Provide strategic guidance and take accountability for the team’s execution of clearance deliverables, while also overseeing a light level of traffic responsibilities as needed.
• Coordinate closely with internal Initiative teams to ensure alignment and timely execution of client campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and their creative agencies, ensuring they are informed of clearance protocols, legal requirements, and material deadlines.
• Track creatives to ensure all assets are received in advance of deadlines for clearance.
• Monitor and communicate network feedback regarding clearance or content issues, and relay feedback clearly and professionally to clients and creative partners, helping them respond appropriately.
• Supply clearance documentation as needed, keeping clients and creative partners up to date.
• Proactively identify potential clearance or material delivery issues, communicating them clearly and offering solutions before they impact campaign delivery.

Internal Responsibilities

• Collaborate cross functionally with teams including Partnerships, Client Advice, SBUs, and external agencies to ensure smooth clearance operations.
• Share expert knowledge of broadcast clearance and traffic processes across the agency, serving as a key resource for internal stakeholders.
• Lead and manage the day to day operations of the broadcast clearance and traffic team, ensuring high performance, accuracy, and timely execution at all levels.
• Ensure the team is trained and proficient in key tools and systems.
• Act as a liaison between creative agencies and stations to maintain a seamless clearance workflow, particularly for competitive programming.
• Confirm that creative agencies have obtained all necessary legal and network clearances prior to air.
• Monitor and track incoming creative assets to ensure availability for clearance and trafficking within required timelines.
• Stay updated on and document network feedback on creative materials; ensure feedback is addressed internally and externally in a timely and effective manner.
• Resolve discrepancies and clearance related issues
  • Research discrepancies, provide clear rationale, and recommend solutions.

Key Performance Indicators

Client

• Proactive and direct communication with clients and creative agencies, with a focus on broadcast clearance and legal/network compliance.
• Strong, solutions oriented relationships with clients and creative partners, particularly around clearance challenges and competitive programming restrictions.
• Successful implementation and oversight of all clearance deliverables, with timely tracking and receipt of creative assets to meet network deadlines.
• Clear and accurate relay of network feedback to clients and creative agencies to ensure fast resolution of issues and compliance with broadcast standards.
• Delivery of responsive and high quality client service, maintaining a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and subject matter expertise.

Internal

• Effective time and workflow management to ensure all clearance deadlines and traffic deliverables are met.
• Strong collaboration with internal teams to support campaign execution from a clearance and traffic perspective.
• Oversight of day to day operations
• Accountability for team’s accuracy, timeliness, and quality of both clearance execution, with an emphasis on continuous improvement.

Required Experience 

• Experience in Broadcast Ad Operations, with a strong focus on broadcast clearance, including working directly with networks, Standards & Practices, and legal departments.
• Solid experience managing clearance for competitive programming, including navigating category restrictions and network-specific conflicts.
• Thorough understanding of National and Local traffic functions, with the ability to support light traffic responsibilities as needed.
• Proven ability to track, manage, and deliver creative assets in accordance with network requirements and air dates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey network feedback and clearance requirements to clients and creative partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, internal teams, vendors, and creative agencies.
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, particularly when navigating last minute clearance issues or media discrepancies.
• Highly detail oriented, with outstanding organizational skills and the ability to multi task and prioritize effectively in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Team oriented mindset with the ability to lead and work collaboratively under pressure across multiple projects.

DO NOT OVERWRITE BELOW

At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community.  

We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.   

We See You at IPG Mediabrands. 

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days. 

We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award. 

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.   

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email [email protected].

About IPG Mediabrands 

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.