Director, Media Investment

Company description

Spark Foundry is the agency that is shaped by ideas. We believe everyone’s ideas are powerful – big or small. Our knack for exploring them makes us better.

We strongly believe in collaboration, where a thriving working relationship leads to everyone’s best work. Luckily, this conviction attracts likeminded clients and talent to create a positive and magnetic team.

We’re constantly adapting to each of our clients’ businesses’ needs to avoid stagnation. This ensures that our clients get the best service to tackle their future-facing challenges and that our team stays on their toes.

Above all, we love to go above and beyond what’s expected of us. We’ve done this through media innovation that is recognized by both the industry and by our clients who reap the benefits.

The near future is very bright for Spark Foundry, whether that’s a result of Publicis Groupe’s investment in groundbreaking global & local tools and data solutions or because of the contagious momentum amplified by new team members and new clients.

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Media Investment Director to support the Paramount business , with a primary focus on traditional media and broadcast buying .

This is a highly visible, fast-moving role that requires someone who can operate independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver exceptional execution under tight timelines. The entertainment and movie business moves differently from traditional “spots‑and‑dots” buying. Campaigns frequently evolve at the last minute, requiring quick pivots, revisions, and a high degree of responsiveness.

The successful candidate will bring 8+ years of hands‑on broadcast buying experience, strong client‑facing skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the confidence to take ownership with minimal supervision.

This role is best suited to someone who thrives in a high‑energy environment and understands that the nature of the entertainment business can sometimes require flexibility outside of traditional 9‑to‑5 hours.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

Broadcast Investment & Execution

• Lead traditional media investment and buying, with a strong emphasis on broadcast television.
• Manage campaigns from negotiation and buying through execution, optimization, reconciliation, and post-campaign reporting.
• Navigate frequent changes, revisions, and short turnaround times while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Ensure buys are executed effectively and aligned with client objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Maintain strong documentation and process discipline across all investment activity.

Client Leadership

• Serve as a confident, trusted day‑to‑day investment partner to the client.
• Build strong relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and accountability.
• Clearly communicate recommendations, changes, challenges, and implications to stakeholders.
• Manage expectations effectively in a business where priorities can shift quickly.

Collaboration & Global Coordination

• Partner closely with internal teams and global counterparts to ensure seamless coordination and execution.
• Manage multiple stakeholders and priorities while maintaining clear ownership and communication.
• Work cross‑functionally with planning and investment partners to translate strategy into effective marketplace execution.

Audit & Financial Accuracy

• Support regular interactions with external auditors and ensure all buying activity is accurately documented.
• Maintain a high standard of financial stewardship, record keeping, reconciliation, and process compliance.
• Identify discrepancies or issues quickly and drive them through to resolution.

Sports Media

• Bring an understanding of the sports media landscape, including the role of live sports within the broader broadcast marketplace.
• Help support evolving sports‑related investment needs as the business continues to expand in this area.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of progressive experience in traditional/broadcast media buying and investment.
• Deep, hands‑on experience with broadcast television buying. This is not a digital investment role.
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian broadcast marketplace and traditional media buying environment.
• Experience managing complex, fast‑moving client business with frequent changes and tight deadlines.
• Strong negotiation, investment, and analytical capabilities.
• Confidence working directly with senior clients and external media partners.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong sense of accountability.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong financial, reconciliation, documentation, and audit discipline.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and elevate when appropriate.
• Highly proactive, adaptable, solutions‑oriented, and comfortable operating with ambiguity.
• Experience or strong knowledge of sports media investment is a significant asset.
• Entertainment, theatrical/movie, or similarly fast‑paced category experience would be an asset.

What Success Looks Like

You are someone who stays calm when plans change, catches the details others may miss, and takes ownership from beginning to end. You understand that great media investment is not simply about securing inventory. It is about judgment, negotiation, accuracy, responsiveness, and strong relationships.

You are equally comfortable negotiating a broadcast buy, responding to an urgent client request, coordinating with global stakeholders, and ensuring the documentation is audit‑ready.

Most importantly, you own the work and can be trusted to keep things moving in a demanding, highly dynamic business.

Additional information

Transparency matters to us. The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $110,000 per year. Actual compensation within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and applicable certifications. This range reflects what we reasonably expect to offer based on current market data.

Spark Foundry is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We create and nurture a vibrant work environment that celebrates, values and leverages all aspects of diversity and inclusiveness, attracts world‑class talent and serves as the industry benchmark for best practices.

We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide appropriate accommodation for candidates with disabilities or accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process, upon request.