Director, Planning

Job Description:

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.  

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Integrated Planning:

• 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 

Client & Internal Relationships:

• 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

Strategic Thinking & Leadership:

• 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

Communication Skills:

• 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

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• 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

• 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

• High-level proficiency in MS PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Copilot/Claude

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office. 

The annual salary range for this position is $114,000 - $130,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. 

Benefits available with this position include: 

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance, 

• Life insurance, 

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, 

• 401k, 

• Flexible paid time off, 

• At least 15 paid holidays per year, 

• Paid sick and safe leave, and 

• Paid parental leave 

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com. 

To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps. 

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