Manager, National Video Investment (Video & Programmatic Media)

About Ovative Group:

Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm transforming how brands grow. We partner with leading names like American Eagle, Best Buy, Domino’s, The Home Depot, Polaris, and UnitedHealth Group to build smarter media and measurement programs that drive real, profitable growth. 

We don’t just track performance—we redefine it. Powered by our proprietary intelligence platform, EMRge, and our holistic metric Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), we help brands connect revenue, customer, and brand outcomes into one clear picture of success. Our approach to full-funnel strategy, buying, and measurement delivers results that matter—and it’s getting noticed. Our work has been recognized by Digiday, Google, USA Today, Inc. 5000, and Search Engine Land.

About the Role:

The Manager, National Video Investment is an opportunity to take the next step in responsibility at a fast-growing company with the highest standards for talent, fun, and client success. This role sits within our Video & Programmatic Media (VPM) team and owns national video investment across the full channel mix — with national linear television (Broadcast, Cable, Syndication) at its core. 

The ideal candidate brings sharp critical thinking, strong attention to detail, and deep expertise in the national linear TV landscape. They are skilled at managing media partners, leading buy negotiations end-to-end, and translating performance data into actionable optimizations. Familiarity with programmatic and CTV is a meaningful plus, as this role increasingly operates at the intersection of linear and digital video. Above all, this person plays a pivotal part in helping Ovative advance our journey toward measuring and optimizing paid media to true enterprise impact — not solely ecommerce results. 

Responsibilities of a Manager, National Video Investment include:

National video strategy & thought leadership 

• Serve as the subject matter expert for national linear television (Broadcast, Cable, Syndication) — the primary channel focus of this role — staying current on partner offerings, industry developments, and emerging trends 

• Develop and execute media strategies and negotiation approaches aligned with client growth goals across linear and, where relevant, programmatic video 

• Identify and communicate synergies across network partners and media channels (Broadcast, Cable, Programmatic, CTV) within the client mix, in partnership with other team members 

• Support higher-level cross-functional marketing strategy projects by providing deep video media expertise, with particular strength in linear 

• Provide insights and expertise on the role video and audio can play in delivering client goals 

National video buy management & execution 

• Lead day-to-day negotiations, execution, and stewardship for national linear television buys across an assigned set of clients, with the ability to support or collaborate on programmatic video where needed, including: 

• Partner with the planning team to develop thoughtful strategic media recommendations that meet buy spec parameters — budget, flighting, performance KPIs, unit length splits, and partner considerations 

• Provide detailed national linear media recommendations informed by audience, reach, frequency, and delivery goals 

• Maintain productive relationships with national TV partners and their sales representatives; stay current on media developments and landscape changes 

• Collaborate with the Ovative cross-functional team to review client business performance and adjust buy approaches accordingly 

• Pull regular reporting and analyze data to inform optimizations and buy adjustments 

• Manage media invoice reconciliation, including importing electronic invoices, matching to ordered schedules, troubleshooting discrepancies, securing makegoods, and reconciling creative traffic rotations 

• Report budgets and delivery regularly for client reporting, including post-invoice actualization 

• Work with partners to gather post-buys and ensure clients receive all owed delivery 

• Send traffic instructions and creative assets to network partners 

Custom analysis, reporting & insights 

• Develop and deliver custom analysis and insights that connect video investment to broader client business performance 

• Translate data into clear, actionable stories for both internal teams and clients 

Internal agency & client relationship management 

• Provide inputs to develop client-facing communications and, where appropriate, present materials to the internal agency team and/or client 

• Work to achieve program objectives and KPIs; proactively raise concerns and propose solutions 

• Build and maintain trust and credibility with clients and internal stakeholders 

• Contribute to recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring of new team members 

• Align with the agency culture of open communication and 360-degree feedback 

• Maintain collaborative relationships across cross-functional agency teams 

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience directly responsible for national linear television buying 

• Strong communication and client relationship management skills 

• Proven track record driving positive results through national linear channels 

• Proven mastery of: 

• National TV media buying (Broadcast, Cable, Syndication) 

• STRATA/Freewheel media buying system (preferred), including invoice reconciliation 

• Pricing estimation using SQAD and/or industry intel 

• External partner and network relationship management 

Preferred 

• Hands-on experience with programmatic video and/or CTV buying — this is the most meaningful differentiator for candidates with a strong linear foundation 

• Familiarity with DSPs, auction-based buying, and how programmatic and linear strategies can work together 

• Previous experience in performance marketing, retail, or eCommerce environments 

• Familiarity with local television, radio, or regional buying 

• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members 

Pay Transparency: 

At Ovative, we offer a transparent view into three core components of the total compensation package: Base Salary, Annual Bonus, and Benefits. 

For our Manager positions, including the position of Manager, National Video Investment (Video & Programmatic Media), our compensation range is from $90,000 to $132,000 on an annualized basis, with the potential for an annual bonus of up to 20% of base salary. 

Working at Ovative Group:

We provide strong, competitive, holistic benefits that understand the importance of your life inside and out of work. 

At Ovative, culture isn’t a buzzword—it’s the reason we’ve been named a Top Workplace for ten years running. We lead with trust, transparency, and a commitment to doing the hard work others avoid.

We offer flexibility. You'll work from our Minneapolis, Chicago, or New York office on set days each week, and an option to work remote on others.

Our open floor plan reflects our open communication and flat structure—where interns collaborate with VPs, analysts partner with senior leaders, and our CEO engages with every team member. Together, we create an environment where smart, driven people can do their best work and support one another in the process. 

We’re equally committed to inclusion and belonging. Ovative fosters a workplace where everyone can participate and thrive—regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or other protected class status. Our benefits and policies reflect that commitment, from inclusive medical leave coverage for same-sex spouses to equitable care and support for all families. 

Benefits: 

We strive to hire and retain the best talent by offering fair, competitive compensation, a meaningful bonus program, and excellent health coverage. When the company performs well, we all benefit. 

Some tangible benefits and amenities we enjoy:

• Access to all office spaces in MSP, NYC, and CHI  

• Frequent, paid travel to our Minneapolis headquarters for company events, team events, and in-person collaboration with teams

• Generous paid vacation policy  

• 401k match program  

• Top-notch health insurance options, inclusive of same sex partners 

• Family formation benefits including reimbursement options for fertility, pregnancy, and parenting needs 

• Monthly stipend for your mobile phone and data plan  

• Sabbatical program  

• Charitable giving via our time and a financial match program  

• Shenanigan’s Day  

Additional information can be found at Ovative's Career Page.

The details of the benefits are covered by applicable plan documents for group benefits and by company policies where a plan document does not apply.

Working at Ovative won’t be easy—but if you like challenging, hard work, driving results, and being surrounded by the best talent, it has the potential to be the most rewarding job you’ll ever have. If you think you can make us better, we want to hear from you! 

EEO & Accessibility: 

Ovative is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a respectful, inclusive workplace for all. Applicants receive consideration without regard to legally protected characteristics (e.g., color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity/, gender expression, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, marital/ status, familial status, military or veteran’s status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other status protected under applicable law). 

We provide reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law to qualified applicants and employees with disability, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

If you need assistance or accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at application.accomodations@ovative.com. 

Application Details and Process:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer on a full-time basis, without current or future need for visa sponsorship. Ovative is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire.

Open Until Filled or Otherwise Withdrawn:

We encourage interested candidates to apply early. The position will remain open for at least 10 business days from the first day of posting. After this time, if the position has not been filled, the posting will remain open until the position is filled, or until the posting is otherwise closed or withdrawn for business reasons.