Description:
The role of a Jr. Media Solutions Specialist is to maintain all client budgets/ media buys in the media system and act as a liaison between media planning teams, Initiative finance team and client's Finance & Marketing Operations team. They will be regarded as the subject matter expert in the overall entry, maintenance and accuracy of the assigned account. The candidate will be responsible for client/vendor billings and reconciliation in coordination with the Initiative finance team to ensure timely maintenance of account payables.
This role requires regular interaction and collaboration with the media team, Initiative finance team, Interpublic's Shared Services team and media vendors. The successful candidate will posses and exhibit a high degree of professionalism in their conduct and communications.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as part of a centralized team that coordinates budget control reports (BCRs), holistic spend tracking and spend forecasts for Executive level reporting – with extensive use of Excel & Tableau
- Act as point of control to generate media purchase authorizations (MPAs) and to maintain accurate files
- Operate as part of a team to ensure media buys are entered accurately in the applicable media system and QA process are adhered to
- Coordinate with the Initiative finance team to review draft billing and to obtain appropriate approvals from media planning team prior to submitting client invoices
- Investigate and follow-up on discrepancies with appropriate team members to ensure clearance
- Liaise with the media team and the Initiative finance team on MPA and billing questions
- Liaise with media vendors on accounts payable issues including discrepancy management and invoice coding
- Liaise with shared services team to ensure billings and payables issues are resolved in a timely manner
- Assist the Sr. Manager, Media Solutions and the overall team as needed on ad hoc projects and assignments relating to team operations
Desired Skills & Experience
- Post-secondary education – University graduate with a preference in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or Marketing.
- 1-2 years Financial or Accounting or related experience, preferably in a media agency or related industry (marketing, advertising, or technology)
- Proven experience and strong familiarity in media finance systems such as Media Ocean / DDS and Prisma
- Highly developed organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage high data entry volume
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and works well in a team setting
- Excellent interpersonal skills; strong internal and client relationship skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
- Ability to manage confidential data with a high level of discretion
- Ability to work well and multi-task
- Exhibit a high degree of professionalism in conduct and communications
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Tableau System
- Experience with finance reporting automation practices (Preferred but not required)