Director, Planner

DAC • Chicago, IL

8d • $155,000 - $180,000 • 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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive health benefits.
• Generous PTO, wellness initiatives and parental leave.
• Retirement saving plans.
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development.
• A supportive, collaborative, and casual work environment.
• health, vision, dental, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and employee assistance support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed