Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Barkley.
Job overview
The VP, Direct Investments at Barkley leads the Audience Activation & Impact practice, driving strategy and innovation across multiple engagement channels to deliver impactful client activations and agency growth.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves defining strategic vision, leading and mentoring teams in OOH, Audio, Sports, Hyperlocal, and Experiential activations, managing P&L, fostering innovation, maintaining client relationships, overseeing operational excellence, and driving new business development.
Experience and skills
Requires 10-12+ years in media buying, planning, and strategy with senior leadership experience in engagement channels, strong financial acumen, leadership skills, and expertise in programmatic activation platforms like pDOOH and pAudio.
Job location and travel
This is a full-time, hybrid position based at BarkleyOKRP.
Unique job features
This executive role uniquely combines leadership in specialized audience engagement channels with responsibility for innovation, financial management, and cross-departmental collaboration to drive agency growth.
Company overview
Barkley is an independent, employee-owned advertising agency based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1964, Barkley is one of the largest independent agencies in the U.S., offering a full range of services including strategy, creative, design, engagement, PR, innovation, digital development, and data strategy. The agency is known for building "whole brands" for modern consumers and has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Barkley generates revenue through its comprehensive advertising and marketing services, working with a diverse portfolio of brands.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight visionary leadership and strategic acumen in audience activation, emphasizing your experience driving innovation and growth in OOH, Audio, Sports Marketing, Hyperlocal, and Experiential activations.
Clearly showcase your financial and business acumen, including P&L management and resource allocation skills, to demonstrate your ability to lead a high-impact, engagement-focused practice.
Apply through multiple channels such as Barkley’s corporate career site and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and ensure your candidacy is noticed by different parts of the organization.
Connect with current leaders and team members in Barkley’s Audience Activation & Impact division on LinkedIn; use ice breakers like commenting on recent Barkley campaigns or asking about emerging trends in programmatic pDOOH and pAudio activations to start meaningful conversations.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description like 'audience activation,' 'programmatic pDOOH/pAudio,' 'P&L management,' 'engagement strategies,' and 'cross-departmental collaboration' to increase your chances of passing initial screenings.
Utilize Jennie Johnson’s Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, identify multiple application channels, and discover relevant LinkedIn connections, allowing you to focus your energy on preparing for interviews and networking effectively.
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