Dir, Traffic - TV

Position Overview

Do you have a proven record of creating best practices, leading, and developing a traffic team? Do you have a passion for helping local and national businesses reach their target customers right where they are? If so, this is the job for you!

Cox Media Group “CMG” has an exciting opportunity for a best-in-class Director of Television Traffic. We are looking for a dynamic leader to standardize Sales and Traffic operations across markets.  

Reporting to the SVP, Chief Sales Officer, this role will focus on increasing revenue and minimizing errors by defining standard processes and setting up and maintaining database configurations, including Inventory Codes, property settings, sales codes, and security settings, to ensure optimal performance  and use.  

Location: Other CMG TV Markets locations will be considered 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Process Improvements:

• Defines workflow communication processes for order errors, oversell, inventory management, late orders, material changes, preempts, makegoods, etc.  
• Liaises between stations and the corporate office to build relationships and resolve issues.  
• Works with the corporate sales operations team on divisional initiatives and workflow.  
• Monitors changes and resolves traffic discrepancies.  
• Partners with the Sales department to ensure current and updated inventory availability, sellout  information, and placement of bonus spots.  
• Assists sales management with internal pricing and with communication of inventory to both local and national sales offices.  
• Works with programming, account executives, and sales management to ensure a seamless flow of schedules and revisions. Assists the sales team with inquiries about AR and the traffic system
• Works closely with Finance on cash-in-advance and credit-restricted accounts.
• Standardizes formats, inventory codes, advertiser and agency profiles, sales codes, format codes, priority use, etc., so that these items are uniform across all stations and logs to maximize operational efficiency and minimize errors.  
• Customizes the database and system properties for optimal performance and efficiency.  
• Standardizes the day-to-day business processes for exchanging information between traffic and each station. This includes processing orders, managing spots, setting deadlines, logging changes, finalizing and reconciling logs, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Training for Staff:

• Trains log editors and creates a comprehensive checklist for daily duties and the best way to use the Software to be efficient and effective in doing that task, including WO Traffic tools.
• Works with staff to identify the best workflows and processes for spot placement, log massaging, and barter.
• Maintains daily staff schedules and vacation grids, and ensures backup coverage is available for sick leave, vacation, etc.  
• Key Performance Indicators related to Traffic should be monitored, and workflows should be updated to reduce the most common errors.  
• Creates Monthly Inventory Management Performance and reviews it with log editors and sales managers to increase revenue by reviewing spot placements.  
• Assists staff with solving problems and troubleshooting issues with WO Support.  
• Be available after hours and on weekends in case of on-air emergencies.
• Resolves problems among Traffic Staff, Sales, Continuity, Programming, and Accounting.  

WideOrbit Traffic and Station Information: 

• Maintains a complete understanding of the WideOrbit software system, including reviewing release notes and implementing new features.  
• Interacts with engineering and broadcast operations regarding any "On-Air" malfunctions that may arise.  
• Works closely with station programmers to ensure hourly clocks are accurate and up to date in the program logs.  
• Maintains inventory and sales codes, selling elements, placer, and property settings related to traffic and sales.
• Assists with the analysis of implementing or purchasing new features, implementing new workflows, and bridging the gap in understanding between the user and the executive team.  
• Establishes a cross-functional, multi-station advisory team to test and review new features and ideas.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5-8 years of Traffic Management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of broadcast traffic to effectively manage the scheduling, placement, and delivery of advertisements across various media platforms.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to ensure accurate and timely implementation of traffic schedules, while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities to resolve any issues related to ad placements, discrepancies, or conflicts, ensuring smooth operations and client satisfaction.
• Effective communication and people skills to collaborate with internal teams, clients, and media vendors, providing clear instructions and resolving any conflicts or discrepancies in a professional manner.
• Project Management, planning, and/or Buying capacity.
• Advanced experience working with Microsoft Outlook (creating and organizing folders, answering, and/or managing 500+ emails per day), Microsoft SharePoint, and WideOrbit Traffic. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, management, communications, or related field.
• Advertising/ Media Agency Experience
• Supervise Regional Traffic Managers at multiple locations, including training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Proven experience participating in or leading inventory optimization discussions and committees.