Director, Planner

DAC Group•Chicago, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Planner will have the unique responsibility of helping to further define and integrate our upper funnel media offering (both linear/traditional and digital) within our award-winning digital performance marketing agency. As a leader within the media team, this individual will provide strategic leadership for their accounts while still demonstrating a deep knowledge of each channel in order to provide value to clients and teach/train a team of subject matter experts.

Requirements

8+ years of relevant experience in media planning/buying. While planning is the more critical element of the role, an in-depth understanding of buying is also required
Proven existing relationships with vendors, platforms and publishers
Form relationships internally with key stakeholders
Demonstratable comfort in traditional and digital media
Effective and impactful communication at all levels
Demonstrable experience with enterprise-level client campaigns
Demonstrable presentation skills (creation of materials and in-room presentation)
Solid knowledge of tactics, vendors, methodologies, and industry trends and topics
A growth mindset for expanding opportunities within the client base

Nice To Haves

Experience across multiple industry verticals is preferred

Responsibilities

Use 3rd party research tools such as MRI Simmons, Pathmatics, Kantar, GWI, Neilsen and iSpot, as well as analytics data such as GA4 and client-owned CRM data, to identify and define key audiences, media channel insights, and objectives
Work hand-in-hand with Strategic Insights, Client Strategy, Media, and Content Strategy & Creative (where applicable) teams to create truly integrated, full-funnel media plans
Work with Media leads, Strategy and Proove teams to establish Full Funnel Media measurement framework
Partner with Strategic Insights, Media and Proove Intelligence (analytics) teams to ensure media plans are data-driven with defined objectives, and properly measured -- including bringing forth appropriate solutions for awareness, brand lift, consideration and other “upper-funnel” measurement
Lead annual and ongoing planning cycles, including tactical development, optimization recommendations, quarterly business reviews and strategic roadmaps
Research and vet new upper funnel (traditional and/or digital) media opportunities, and work with Account, Strategy and Media teams to define and present new campaign ideas to clients
Act as a client-facing subject matter expert for clients that have significant upper-funnel buys alongside Account management, Media and Strategy team members
Act as a mentor for junior team members to guide them in their career development
Lead and develop media planning talent through coaching, performance management, goal setting and support for recruiting and retention.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the clients’ businesses and the customer journey
Liaise with partners/vendors to plan and execute as required (e.g., local cable buying agency)
Support internal training initiatives including authoring materials and leading training sessions on key traditional/linear/ATL channels and upper funnel media tactics, including planning, buying, measurement, and “lingo”
Build relationships with key publishers, platforms, networks and partners
Create sales/pitch and marketing materials
Assist in development of new business pitch materials; attend and present in pitches
Provide thought leadership where applicable, including within DAC’s owned content as well as conferences and events
Demonstrate expert-level knowledge of the role different channels and tactics play in integrated media plans
Responsible for demonstrating an understanding of consumer behaviors within media, and a working knowledge of media relevant to the client’s business including TV (linear, local, and digital/streaming), digital including social, search and programmatic, experiential, audio/radio, print, OOH, and partnerships
Stay up to date with the industry, including trends, new vendors, etc.