Paid Media Manager 

 VML 

Location: San Jose, Costa Rica 

Who we are: 

At VML we exist to inspire growth for ambitious brands. Part creative agency, part consultancy and part technology company, our experts provide end-to-end capabilities on a global scale to deliver inspiration across the entire brand and customer experience. 

We are 20,000 strong in 90 markets around the world; our people bring together creative storytelling, diverse perspectives, inclusive thinking, and highly specialized vertical capabilities to drive growth for our clients. We offer deep expertise across the entire customer journey, including communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. 

Who we are looking for: 

VML is seeking a smart, inquisitive, and self-driven Media Manager to join our expanding marketing science team within VML. As a member of the Marketing Science group, you will be instrumental in developing comprehensive media plans, covering multiple touch points such as SEM, Display Media, Social, Video/OTT/CTV, and Radio 

The Media Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, buying, execution, and optimization of media campaigns across multiple channels and brands. This role oversees an annual working high media budget across multiple brands. The Media Manager ensures that all paid media initiatives deliver maximum ROI through data-driven decisions, performance optimization, and cross-channel integration. 

What you’ll do: 

Media Strategy, Planning, and Buying 

• Develop, execute, and manage comprehensive media plans that align with brand objectives and annual budgets. 

• Oversee the annual media spend, ensuring efficient allocation across channels and adherence to budget parameters. 

• Plan and activate media across channels including Digital, Paid Search, Paid Social, Demand Generation, Video/OTT/CTV, and Radio. 

• Conduct ongoing vendor negotiations to secure best-in-class media rates, added value, and bonus placements. 

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to produce and optimize search copy, ensuring alignment with legal and compliance requirements. 

• Campaign Management and Optimization 

• Lead daily management and monitoring of campaign performance through analytics dashboards and platform data. 

• Optimize campaigns in real-time to meet or exceed KPIs related to reach, engagement, conversion, and ROI. 

• Conduct prospecting and retargeting efforts using client-provided first-party data to maximize audience targeting effectiveness. 

• Review and adjust media plans and budgets annually, incorporating up to two rounds of consolidated client revisions. 

Reporting and Analytics:

• Deliver comprehensive proof of placement, QA links, and post-buy reporting across all media channels. 

• Analyze performance metrics to provide actionable insights and recommendations for ongoing improvement. 

• Produce post-buy broadcast reports to evaluate delivery, secure make goods for underperformance, and measure value-added placements. 

Vendor & Partner Relations: 

• Manage relationships with media vendors and partners to negotiate favorable terms, added value opportunities, and best-in-category rates. 

• Conduct terrestrial radio station ranking and audience analysis to guide investment decisions. 

• Secure bonus spots, DJ endorsements, live reads, and other added-value opportunities across radio and television. 

Who you are: 

• Curious | With an inquisitive mindset you embrace the unknown and see as an opportunity to explore and innovate. 

• Ambitious | Willing to take calculated risks, stretch yourself and your team to do new things vs. plugging into existing solutions. 

• Passionate | You take great pride in your work. You approach our own and our clients’ business challenges with enthusiasm and a commitment to getting it right.  You love working in health 

• Humble | Wear any hat that needs to be worn, and you know you do not know everything. You want to learn from others.  

• Able to work Independent | you feel comfortable working with minimal supervision to perform the tasks required from you. 

What you’ll need: 

• 5+ years of experience in media planning, buying, and campaign management across multiple channels. 

• Proven experience managing high dollar budgets and multi-brand portfolios. 

• Strong knowledge of digital media platforms, OTT/CTV, paid search, paid social, and radio buying. 

• Proficiency in analytics and media management tools (e.g., Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, DSPs, Nielsen, SEM Rush, etc). 

• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power Point 

• Advanced English level 

At VML, we are committed to actively building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued and heard, and is treated with dignity and respect.  As leaders and creative partners across industries, it is our responsibility to cultivate an environment reflective of our greatest asset; our people. We believe that this commitment inspires growth and delivers equitable outcomes for everyone as well as the clients and communities we serve.  

VML is a WPP agency.  For more information, please visit our website and follow VML on our social channels via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.