Cramer-Krasselt is hiring: Director, National Video Investment in Chicago

There’s never been a better time to join one of America’s largest and best independent agencies – a full-service agency with an enviable client roster, world-class talent and capabilities that span all the critical elements of modern marketing. Cramer-Krasselt is more than integrated, we are interconnected, and contributors are able to influence business strategies with a core team and have a voice at the decision‑making table.

We’re looking for a senior national investment leader who knows how to buy, negotiate, and optimize at scale—not just talk about it. This role sits at the intersection of broadcast, cable, streaming, and audio, blending traditional demo‑based buying with advanced audience targeting, data‑driven CTV, and outcome‑focused measurement. You’ll lead a small, high‑performing team while remaining hands‑on in the market, owning national budgets and investment decisions that materially impact our clients’ businesses.

You’ll serve as the agency lead for national video (linear TV and CTV) and audio (terrestrial and streaming) investment, bringing thought leadership to how we plan, buy, and measure across the agency—while playing a meaningful role in winning and growing new business. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Media, you play a key leadership role with direct client relationships, real authority, real accountability, and real influence.

If you’ve spent 10+ years navigating upfronts, scatter, evolving video ecosystems, and increasingly sophisticated measurement demands, and you still want to be directly involved in the work, this role is for you.

About the Role

• Own national linear and CTV investment across broadcast, cable, and streaming partners
• Lead upfront and scatter planning, negotiation, and execution with full budget accountability
• Manage and mentor a small team of buyers while remaining actively involved in day‑to‑day buying
• Balance traditional demo‑based strategies with advanced audience targeting and data‑driven CTV approaches
• Serve as the agency lead for national video investment, establishing best practices, buying standards, and negotiation principles across accounts
• Partner with strategy, analytics, and client teams to align media investment with business and performance outcomes
• Oversee measurement, attribution, and outcome‑based buying frameworks, ensuring performance is clearly understood, optimized, and communicated
• Build and maintain senior‑level relationships with clients, networks, publishers, streaming platforms, and audio partners
• Lead national radio investment including strategy, buying approach, partner negotiations, and performance oversight
• Bring a strong POV to investment decisions—challenging norms when the data, opportunity, or client need demands it
• Develop internal thought leadership that elevates the agency’s cross‑channel investment discipline
• Play a key role in new business, leading integrated video/audio investment approaches for pitches and RFPs
• Identify, test, and scale emerging video and audio opportunities to keep our approach ahead of the market

About You

• 10+ years of national TV and CTV buying experience, including both upfront and scatter
• Deep, hands‑on expertise across broadcast, cable, and streaming
• Experience leading national‑level radio buying, including strategy, partner selection, and negotiations
• Proven ability to manage national budgets and high‑stakes negotiations
• Strong background in advanced audience targeting, data‑driven CTV, and outcome‑based buying
• Experience with measurement, attribution, and performance frameworks beyond basic delivery metrics
• Prior experience leading and developing a team of buyers
• B2B and major sports sponsorship/buying experience is a plus
• Clear, confident communicator who can operate at both the tactical and executive level

What We Believe

• We don’t buy on autopilot
• We don’t accept “that’s how it’s always done” as an answer—we keep pushing
• We believe smart investment, strong relationships, and modern measurement can coexist

Additional Information

• We currently work in the office three days a week to facilitate in‑person collaboration and the value these relationships bring to managing, mentoring, teamwork and culture. We are also committed to providing an environment that allows for work/life balance, so C‑Kers work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.
• Compensation range at the time of posting: $145,000 to $165,000 annually. Individual compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications and experience of the applicant, and C‑K reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time based on requirements of the position and level of responsibility.
• C‑K offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision for employees and dependents including domestic partners; disability; 401(k) company match and profit sharing; and paid time off including parental leave.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
• If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre‑employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please do not hesitate to let your recruiter know.