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