Bench Media Buyer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Bench Media Buyer

🔹 Company: PRR INC

🔹 Location: Alexandria, Virginia, United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: 💸 Paid Advertising (PPC, SEM)

🔹 Date Posted: Wed Apr 02 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

📌 Essential Job Details

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Executing media buys that align with clients’ advertising goals.
• Negotiating with vendors to secure effective and efficient media placements.
• Optimizing media campaigns to ensure maximum impact and ROI.
• Collaborating within a dynamic and fast-paced media team environment.

ASSUMPTION: The job overview suggests a focus on both strategic planning and execution for media buying, predominantly within the context of digital and traditional advertising environments.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Understand and implement the media buying process, including managing insertion orders and maintaining order confirmations.

✅ Coordinate with vendors to ensure advertising assets meet required specifications.

✅ Work with project managers and creative teams to manage creative asset needs.

✅ Create and manage advertising traffic instructions and assets prior to campaign launch.

✅ Maintain communications with media vendors concerning orders, proof of performance, and invoice verification.

✅ Resolve discrepancies in media vendor invoices and negotiate for compensation adjustments.

✅ Update internal schedules to ensure timely trafficking of advertisements.

✅ Develop and maintain relationships with media vendors.

✅ Support the media planning team with research and data recaps post-campaign.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a strong ability to handle vendor relationships and detail-oriented tracking of campaign logistics, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy in media placement operations.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: 3-5 years in advertising/media buying and budget management.

Required Skills:

• Analytical and project management skills
• Strong critical thinking and attention to detail
• Excellent numerical and data management skills
• Knowledge of media metrics (CPM, CTR, GRPs)
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Excel and MS Office Suite
• Relationship-building skills with internal teams and media vendors

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with media analytics platforms like Comscore or Nielsen
• Proficiency in programmatic advertising platforms

ASSUMPTION: The focus is on candidates with robust operational and analytical skills in advertising, with an emphasis on those familiar with data-driven decision-making tools.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $45 - $50 per hour, based on experience.

Benefits:

• The role is part-time and 'bench' status, so benefits are not offered.

Working Hours: Variable, ranging from 0-20 hours per week, depending on project needs.

ASSUMPTION: The part-time nature indicates flexibility, suited for professionals seeking project-based work without a benefits package.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising Services

Company Size: 51-200 employees; working in a medium-sized company can offer opportunities for diverse project involvement and cross-department collaborations.

Founded: 1981

Company Description:

• PRR is a full-service communications, marketing, and community-building agency.
• They specialize in public involvement, advertising, and policy planning.
• PRR is recognized for its focus on behavioral changes for community enhancement.

Company Specialties:

• Marketing and public relations
• Digital design and video production
• Social media management and web development

Company Website: http://www.prrbiz.com

ASSUMPTION: The company’s established presence and multifaceted services can provide stability and a variety of learning experiences for employees.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Experienced, suitable for those with prior media buying and budget management expertise.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Media Director, indicating a direct line for strategic alignment and project guidance.

Work Arrangement: Primarily on-site at their Alexandria, VA location.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in media buying and vendor negotiation.
• Potential for involvement in a range of media campaign strategies.
• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration within marketing scopes.

ASSUMPTION: Given the agency setting and project variability, there may be upward mobility into more strategic roles over time.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Professional office within a marketing and communications agency.

Office Location(s): Alexandria, Virginia; additional offices are based in Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C.

Geographic Context:

• Proximity to a rich media and political hub in the D.C. area.
• Access to diverse cultural and networking opportunities.
• Convenient access to public transportation and urban amenities.

Work Schedule: Flexible hours based on project requirements.

ASSUMPTION: The office environment likely fosters collaboration and offers resources typical of an advertising agency geared towards dynamic project work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial screening by HR or hiring manager.
• Skill assessment or case study review.
• Technical interview with the media buying team.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Experience with media buying and platform-specific competencies.
• Ability to manage budgets and maintain vendor relationships.
• Navigating media metrics and interpreting analytics.

Application Tips:

• Highlight experience with various advertising platforms and vendor negotiations.
• Showcase analytical skills and understanding of media metrics.
• Emphasize experience in fast-paced and deadline-driven environments.

ATS Keywords: media buying, advertising, vendor negotiation, media metrics, Google Ads, budget management, analytics

ASSUMPTION: Interviews are likely rigorous owing to the analytical and technical exigencies of the role, necessitating thorough preparation in industry trends and tools.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Excel for data management and analysis
• Google Ads for campaign management
• Meta Business/Ads Manager for social media advertising
• LinkedIn Business/Ads Manager for B2B advertising strategies

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Excel and various ad management platforms is crucial for effective performance, highlighting the technical nature of the role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Collaborative and team-centric culture
• Focus on creating meaningful community impacts

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Emphasis on teamwork and collaboration
• Result-oriented and deadline-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How comfortable are you with negotiating and nurturing vendor relationships?
• Can you balance multiple projects and adhere to tight deadlines?
• How do you approach data-driven decision-making?

ASSUMPTION: The cultural atmosphere accommodates agile thinkers capable of thriving in fast-paced and collaborative settings, aligning with the overall mission of community enhancement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing multiple projects with variable hours can demand effective time management skills.
• Maintaining consistent communication with vendors and internal teams across different time zones could be challenging.
• Adapting quickly to changing client needs and campaign specifications requires flexibility.
• Handling the lack of benefits typical of part-time work arrangements.

ASSUMPTION: The role's challenges likely stem from its dynamic nature and the agency's goal to provide high-value outputs in a timely manner, requiring candidates to be highly adaptable.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Other media buyer roles may offer full-time opportunities with benefits but less flexibility.
• Digital media specialists might focus more on online platforms with less traditional media involvement.
• Account managers may deal more with client relations rather than direct media execution.

ASSUMPTION: Comparisons highlight that this position offers niche expertise in media procurement across multiple platforms, contrasting with roles emphasizing client relations or digital-only focus.

📝 Sample Projects

• Executing cross-platform advertising campaigns incorporating TV, radio, and digital channels.
• Developing vendor relationships to secure prime media placements for targeted demographics.
• Compiling comprehensive post-campaign performance reports leveraging media analytics.

ASSUMPTION: Sample projects provided indicate a well-rounded engagement with diverse media channels, reflecting the trainee's broad skill set.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does PRR support professional development within the media team?
• Can you describe a typical project lifecycle for media buys at PRR?
• What are the biggest challenges faced by the media team currently?
• How do you balance innovation and result-oriented strategies in media buying?
• What tools or platforms are essential for daily operations in this position?

ASSUMPTION: These questions aim to uncover the company's operational ethos and expectations, and gauge alignment with the candidate's career aspirations.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Ensure your resume highlights relevant experience in media buying and vendor negotiation.
• Include a cover letter mentioning your adaptability and project management skills.
• Prepare for potential technical assessments on media metrics understanding.
• Contact HR for any clarifications needed about the role's flexible working schedule.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.