Supervisor, Media Buyer

Position Summary

The role of a Supervisor, Media Buyer is to execute and oversee negotiations, and document all client's media buys within the Investment group. The Supervisor, Investment will be responsible for preparing and presenting all written documentation to the Planner or client (e.g. pre-buy/post-buy reports, media evaluations/recommendations, and other pertinent documentation). The Supervisor is also responsible for training and mentoring junior employees.

This role requires you to work as part of an integrated media investment team to ensure the product is grounded in insights and experience, resulting in flawless media executions.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure detailed media briefings and purchase authorizations are received as required from the planner and/or client.
• Explore new media opportunities as well as evaluate and issue sponsorship and integrations to the client under the direction of Manager.
• Provide ongoing actionable feedback and training to direct reports in order to ensure performance and development goals are achieved.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of campaign reports, including third party audits, value summaries, tracking of expenditures by supplier or customer as required.
• Proactively advise the team of any variations to execution of media plans.
• Oversee team to ensure invoices, discrepancies and billings are cleared and issued in a timely fashion.
• Contribute to the improvement of overall product and image and making recommendations as required.
• Assist Manager in preparation of cost and planning guides.
• Identify and communicate potential buying market conditions to peers.
• Develop and maintain positive rapport with media partners.
• Ensure clear communication with the planning teams (e.g. involvement in briefs).
• Provide guidance and direction to the planning teams on buying conditions.
• Interview and participate in hiring of junior employees if/when required.
• Proactively and independently contribute to and/or prepare media point of views (POVs).
• Attend media seminars and presentations as required, ensuring that junior employees are in attendance and leveraging learnings.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Professional or Educational background in Marketing or Advertising would give leverage to this application.
• Mid / Intermediate level of experience in media investment.
• Previous experience buying in major markets, national networks and specialty.
• Professional negotiation skills.
• Professional presentation skills.
• Ability to develop positive on-going business relationships with a focus on client service.
• Professional analytical and financial acumen.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships and partnerships.
• Professional learning agility, with a passion for continuous development.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Highly developed organizational skills with professional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent ability to manage and prioritize time.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, supporting the team, self-development, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Previous experience training junior employees.
• Proficient with media research tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world's most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand's entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it's creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 9,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry's most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC's Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit

What's in it for you?

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.

• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.

• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.

• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.

• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to