Position Summary

2K is seeking a highly skilled and execution-oriented Manager, Paid - Player Connections to join the Player Connections Planning team, based out of our Novato office. This role directly addresses a critical capability gap on our team: holistic media planning across both RTB (Real-Time Bidding) and Direct IO, combined with the ability to translate complex data sets-including GWI, MRI Nielsen, and Pathmatics-into clear, actionable recommendations for our Business Units (BUs). The Manager will operate autonomously as a senior lead within the team, owning the end-to-end development and optimization of US & Global paid media strategies, while serving as the primary connector back to BU stakeholders. A critical component of this role is the hands-on execution and oversight of in-house media channels, including major platforms such as Meta and Google, as well as the activation of 1st party data. This position requires a candidate who can build actionable media briefs for agency partners, manage cross-functional agency integration, and drive data-grounded recommendations that optimize high-value spend across both agency-led and in-house channels.
Primary Responsibilities

Media Planning & Strategy Development

• Lead the development of strategic paid media plans for the globe, ensuring holistic media planning that encompasses both RTB (Real-Time Bidding) and Direct IO (Insertion Order) media-operating autonomously as a senior lead and owning the BU recommendation cycle end-to-end.
• Collaborate with media agencies and in-house execution teams to develop global paid media plans that align with overarching business goals.
• Author clear, actionable media briefs for agency partners and internal teams-serving as the strategic lead on cross-functional agency management and integration, and providing the guardrails necessary for high-impact execution.
• Ensure all media strategies are grounded in a deep understanding of the region level media industry nuances while considering global brand consistency.
• Determine optimal channel mixes and platform strategies based on campaign objectives and player insights.

In-House Execution & Channel Oversight

• Directly oversee and execute campaigns within in-house media channels, with a specific focus on performance and brand uplift eg. Meta and Google platforms.
• Manage the activation and integration of 1st party data into paid media workstreams to drive personalized player connections and improved targeting efficiency.
• Monitor real-time platform health and performance, making tactical adjustments to bidding, creative rotation, and audience segmenting.
• Stay at the forefront of platform updates (Meta, Google, etc.) to ensure 2K is leveraging the latest alpha/beta features and best practices.

Operational Oversight

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of media campaigns, from initial plan development through to "live" status.
• Oversee critical executional workstreams, including budget management, finance processes, trafficking, spec sheet coordination, and campaign reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day media operations, ensuring all tactics are executed with precision and on schedule.
• Maintain rigorous oversight of media investment, ensuring adherence to financial protocols and internal procurement standards.

Data Analysis & Recommendations

• Lead analysis of commercial performance data, online/offline performance data, and customer insights to derive meaningful, BU-ready recommendations-translating complex data sets from tools such as GWI, MRI Nielsen, and Pathmatics into actionable strategic direction that optimizes high-value spend.
• Deliver clear, data-grounded recommendations to Business Units to optimize paid media investment and improve campaign ROI-working autonomously as the lead point of accountability for both agency-managed and in-house channels, and ensuring insights flow back to BU stakeholders in a timely, actionable format.
• Utilize industry-standard research and planning tools (e.g., GWI, MRI Nielsen, Pathmatics, WARC) to inform audience targeting and media selection.
• Lead campaign reporting workstreams, providing stakeholders with transparent and insight-rich performance readouts.

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• 5+ years of professional experience in media planning, with a demonstrable focus on strategic planning and building media briefs for agency partners across the full media mix.
• Direct experience with hands-on-keyboard execution and oversight of campaigns on platform such as Meta and Google.
• Expert knowledge of holistic media planning principles, with specific proficiency in both RTB and Direct IO
• Proven experience in the application and oversight of 1st party data within paid media environments.
• Proficiency with media planning and audience research tools-specifically GWI, MRI Nielsen, and Pathmatics-with the ability to translate outputs from these
• Proven track record of taking US media campaigns live, including hands-on experience with US-specific budget management, finance processes, trafficking, spec sheet coordination, and campaign reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven experience developing actionable media briefs and managing cross-functional agency integration across multiple partners.

Nice To Have

• Experience in the video games or entertainment industry.
• Knowledge of global media trends and international planning.
• Experience in a hybrid environment managing both in-house execution and agency partners.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 and $148,320 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.

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