Director, Planning

dentsu•Chicago, IL

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Integrated Planning’s role is managerial, but also one of agency leadership. The role of the Director, Integrated Planning is to own the relationship with Brand Management and partner agencies – the key sources of business problem/opportunities for which communication planning ideas can be solutions. The Director demonstrates the ability to design and drive programs (not just strategies) that improve sales performance of the brand. This person is directly responsible for the holistic communication plan and design aspects for the assigned accounts. The Director also provides strategic direction for assigned accounts and should understand all aspects of their client’s business as well as the overall technology/competitive landscape. The Director may own a planning group and their responsibility may extend from complete oversight of assigned clients, to staff management and development. This person sets the working style for the group and is responsible for the integrated planning work and operations for assigned accounts across multiple media channels. The Director, Integrated Planning cultivates client media relationships at all levels. They are also active in the media community – sitting on panels and other public opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
8-10 years of experience in media and brand management (integrated experience ideal), experience should include progressive client management experience
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 interact 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 successfully bringing together people from different disciplines, internal and external to achieve desired outcomes
Understanding of multiple communications channels and their role in brand marketing
Research experience
Commitment to delivering creative solutions, and the ability to align team members behind creative solutions
High-level proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

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 with Strategy Director in strategic positioning, segmentation initiatives and in areas of holistic program planning and communications idea generation/execution.
Use Group Director, Integrated Planning strategically to broaden perspective or sharpen selling power
Create coherent 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; 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)
Earn shared leadership role with creative agency in holistic brand management and marketing planning process, including new product development, positioning concepts, segmentation, marketing planning, creative execution, message distribution, measurement, and optimization
Brief partner agencies on strategic implementation needs and roles of specific 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 and other partner agencies understand how to 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 synch 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
Partner and support Strategy Director
Collaborate with Group Director, Integrated Planning in creating and negotiating yearly client contracts and supplemental proposals and manage account profitability
Build trusting collaborative relationships with clients of all levels
Maintain senior client relationships
Manage expectations of clients and deliverables
Stay on top of business and client concerns to head off issues early
Accurately represents the client’s point of view when reviewing work, leverage this perspective when providing feedback to team and presenting to client, ultimately focused on doing the best work for the Client’s business
Invest time to investigate 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, brands 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
Ensure key information is provided to team regarding client issues, internal agency issues, changes in account status, etc.
Respond appropriately when presented with problems and issues
Seek lasting solutions rather than quick fixes
Ensure group is properly trained on all internal procedures, best practices and Media tools – (DDS, Tempo – additional as needed)
Assists with evaluation of new tools and technologies
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