Director, Planning

dentsu•New York, NY

1d•$114,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Director, Integrated Planning, who will balance managerial responsibilities, with agency leadership. This role will design and drive programs (not just strategies) that directly improve sales performance of the brand, and is directly responsible for the holistic communication plan, strategic direction, and driving results for their client. Our ideal person should understand all aspects of their client’s business as well as the overall technology and competitive landscape. This person is responsible for integrated planning work and operations for assigned accounts across multiple media channels, primarily national and local television and digital channels. You will cultivate client media relationships at all levels.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, and 8-10 + years of experience in integrated media planning with demonstrated success delivering business outcomes
Deep knowledge and experience with multi-channel marketing
Strong client service experience
Proven leadership ability – managed a team of planners, supervisors and associate directors
Proven ability to work with people at all levels of an organization, fostering strong cross-functional teamwork and results
Strategic thinking ability with balanced analytical and creative approach to tactical planning
Experience with advanced measurement (MMM, attribution, incrementality)
Familiarity with major platforms (Google, Meta, DSPs, CTV)
Experience working with first-party data / audience strategy
Experience successfully bringing together people from different disciplines, internal and external to achieve desired outcomes
Understanding of multiple communications channels and their role in brand and performance marketing
Understands evolving privacy landscape and its impact on targeting and measurement and research experience
Experience leading multi-market or localized planning strategies
High-level proficiency in MS PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Copilot/Claude

Nice To Haves

Exposure to healthcare or regulated industries is a plus, but not a necessity
Commitment to delivering creative solutions, and the ability to align team members behind creative solutions

Responsibilities

Responsible for total management of a given brand’s business (both traditional and digital) throughout the entire strategic, planning, and implementation process
Accountable for all communication and media deliverables; maintain status report as demonstration of this and for client and internal management effectiveness
Translate strategy statement into ideas and actions; expand communications planning influence beyond Context Strategies and communications plans into orchestrated marketing tactics that deliver on stated goals using agreed to marketing and communications strategies
Lead or co-lead strategic positioning, segmentation initiatives and in areas of holistic program planning and communications idea generation/execution.
Create coherent, data-driven communications plan (appropriate channels, suitable mix) based on all info available (sales, MMM, METT, publicly available info, etc.) – not just receptivity data
Oversee strategic implementation and measurement/optimization of communication plans; including but not limited to reviewing performance data at least weekly, communicating performance updates to clients with strategic insights about what drove positive or negative performance trends, and collaborating with team on next steps based on performance trends
Create projects that are critical to each brand’s marketing and learning plans and be the point-person on strategic and broader implementation questions (leverage management strength of team to implement media plan specifics)
Brief clients on strategic implementation needs and roles of speech communication channels; use specific examples that relate to your brands, retail environments, and competitive set with real or estimated metrics for success to help clients understand how communications strategy comes to life in the communications plan
Work with internal & external teams to ensure that strategic themes and communications plans are implemented faithfully; provide critical leadership in helping others on the team understand how strategies and plans impact sales and ensure output is in sync with the business goals
Build and sustain strong client relationships-attending client meetings and maintaining regular contact; contact frequency, depth of understanding of client business and effectiveness in selling recommendations are typically related especially in first 12 months on account
Collaborate with VP, Business Lead in creating and negotiating yearly client contracts and supplemental proposals and managing account profitability
Build trusting collaborative relationships with clients
Maintain senior client relationships and manage expectations of clients and deliverables
Stay on top of business and client concerns to head off issues early
Spend time investigating opportunities for providing better Client support
Ensure collaboration among all Agency departments; fosters great teamwork
Include agency executives in appropriate client meetings
Provide appropriate management updates and solicit feedback and direction when appropriate
Participate and present in New Business efforts and presentations, where appropriate
Demonstrate a keen knowledge of client brands, brand equity, consumer definition and motivations
Lead and contribute to the development of strategic and tactical communications plans
Articulate effective strategic rationale and logic flow
Develop specific, measurable client business objectives
Develop strategies and tactics by media discipline, where appropriate
Leverage advanced analytics (MMM, attribution, testing) to inform investment decisions
Apply audience-first planning using first-party data and platform signals
Ensure key information is provided to team regarding client issues, internal agency issues, changes in account status, etc.
Respond appropriately when presented with any issues and provide lasting solutions
Ensure group is properly trained on all internal procedures, best practices and Media tools – (Prisma, Dentsu. Audiences, – additional as needed)
Assists with evaluation of new tools and technologies
Incorporates automation and AI-driven tools into planning workflows
Evaluate media/communication opportunities and provide sound recommendations as appropriate
Ensure appropriate staff utilization
Train, motivate, develop and lead a media planning team
Construct and deliver accurate, honest and timely performance management documents
Encourage open, ongoing internal communication
Establish and maintain communications process with clients, media buying AOR, creative, etc. for each piece of business within the team
Develop client presentations and other important communication; communication that is clear, compelling and persuasive
Lead client presentations
Adapt communication style to relevant audience
Link communication to audience’s concerns and perspectives
Move audience to desired action through clear and persuasive delivery of information
Communicate key information about our company