VP, Investment and Activation

General Purpose of Job

The VP, Investment leads senior media relationships across a portfolio of clients, and is responsible for interfacing and interacting with clients, all Rise and QAS departments and / or other Quad teams on a regular basis to strengthen client relationships and grow client business. This is a hand‑on role that provides ongoing communication, consulting, and insights regarding strategic media decisions and emerging trends in specific media channels, sectors, and spaces in which Rise has deep expertise and talent, while also providing ideas and consultative support.

The VP leads and participates in new business initiatives including in‑person pitch meetings, RFPs and spec work. The VP is responsible for ensuring team infrastructure / organization, resource deployment and staff training within Investment keeps up with client and new business demand. In partnership with peers, the VP also oversees and drives operational aspects of the department including technology usage / deployment, financial planning / analysis, development / implementation of client contracts and SOWs, implementation of company‑wide initiatives and day‑to‑day processes / execution of for all media channels.

Chicago, 4 days in office

• Participate in the new business process, helping to sell prospects on the Rise value proposition, products and services; likewise, support business development efforts that grow current accounts organically and leverage both the Rise and Quad suite of services.
• Work with other department VPs and directors to collaborate and sell cross‑functionally; detect and problem solve any issues that arise re: same.
• Evolve the media offering (ongoing) to keep pace with changes in the media landscape and in response to changing client objectives; ensure Rise leverages vendor relationships, talent and resources as appropriate.
• Contribute to delivery of corporate financial commitments related to agency P&L; review the financial performance for the prior month and for YTD ongoing; participate in annual corporate financial planning, analysis and expense management.
• Develop contracts / pricing / Scope of Work documents, together with internal legal/contract teams and / or the client, that appropriately define each client engagement and benefit both Rise and the client; steward executed Scope of Work details, and manage team to the successful, error‑free execution of every media engagement (ongoing).
• Work with clients to establish media goals, objectives and strategies within budget; advise client management on relevancy and practicality of recommended media strategies, tactics and recommended alternatives.
• Partner with the Director, Partnerships to identify new partners, develop testing strategies and cultivate strong relationships across partner portfolio, including responsibility for JBP stewardship and fulfillment, as assigned.
• Lead teams in successful vendor negotiations to ensure optimum use of budgeted funds and long‑term contracts.
• Responsible for managing a team of direct reports (remote and across all Rise locations) with accountability for all aspects of team oversight, including employee onboarding, employee training, employee performance (accountability and behavior), employee retention.
• Effectively motivate and lead team while fostering accountability and ownership; marshal onshore / offshore resources to ensure proper team structure, staffing levels and budget performance.
• Overall control of workflow and assigned responsibilities within the team; oversee the progress of all projects and provide assistance, where necessary, to ensure timely completion; quickly and tactfully troubleshoot employee and client issues; continuously monitor the department’s performance and quality of the work product.
• Collaborate with leadership and peers to develop solutions that will enhance our operational efficiency, tools, and systems, and improve current workflows, including use of AI and other emerging technologies.
• Work with direct reports to help develop their staff management and mentoring skills.

• Bachelor’s degree (communications, marketing,…