Sr. Manager, Media Planning

VTech Electronics•Arlington Heights, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Media Planning will lead the development of integrated media strategies that drive brand awareness, consumer engagement, and business growth across digital, social, video, retail, and traditional channels. This role will serve as the key liaison between internal brand teams, creative partners, media agencies, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure media investments are optimized, insights-driven, and aligned to business objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong strategic thinking with hands-on media expertise and a passion for understanding consumer behavior.

Requirements

Strong analytical and reporting skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
Experience working with media agencies and external partners
Excellent communication, presentation, and project management skills
Collaborative mindset with strong cross-functional partnership skills
Strong ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization, to include communication to execution teams and presentations to senior leadership
Ability to drive complex projects with minimal supervision in a multi-tasking environment
Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience with Microsoft Office 365 preferred.
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in the area of media planning, preferably within a client-side marketing organization, consumer products company, or media agency
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, or related field; or any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform essential functions of this role
Strong understanding of digital media ecosystems including Meta, YouTube, TikTok, streaming/video, retail media, programmatic, and paid search
Experience managing integrated campaigns across both digital and traditional media channels
Experience in toy, family, entertainment, lifestyle, or consumer products industries
Experience supporting omnichannel retail or e-commerce marketing initiatives

Responsibilities

Develop and execute full-funnel media strategies across paid digital, social, video, influencer, retail media, audio, streaming, and traditional channels
Partner closely with brand marketing teams to align media plans with campaign objectives, product launches, seasonal priorities, and business goals
Collaborate with media agencies to build integrated media plans, negotiate efficiencies, and optimize campaign performance
Analyze media performance data and provide actionable recommendations to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and ROI
Lead campaign reporting and communicate insights, learnings, and optimization opportunities to internal stakeholders and leadership teams
Manage media budgets, forecasting, and pacing to ensure accuracy and efficient allocation of spend
Monitor industry trends, emerging platforms, and competitive activity to identify new opportunities and innovations
Partner cross-functionally with creative, e-commerce, PR, and consumer insights teams to deliver cohesive campaigns
Support testing strategies across channels, audiences, formats, and measurement methodologies
Ensure media plans are audience-first, data-driven, and aligned with overall brand strategy
Use a variety of digital tools (SEO, SEM, E-Mail Marketing, Video, Display, Retargeting) and programs to engage with target consumers to drive business objectives.
Create effective digital campaigns to increase key KPIs like CTR, conversions, new customer acquisition and retention
Demonstrate expert understanding of regulatory requirements around advertising to children, COPPA compliance that are applied to media and creative evaluation.
Showcase media plans and results in departmental presentations and as needed for leadership requests.
Collaborate through communication and teamwork with co-workers, management, clients and others in a courteous, and professional manner
Exercise sound business judgment.
Work independently and collaboratively and manage time effectively in order to meet changing deadlines and priorities.
Treat all employees, guests and customers and others affiliated with our business with respect.
Conform and abide by all laws, regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions and VTech's Rules of Engagement.
Conform with all safety rules and use all appropriate safety equipment.
Other duties as needed or required.