VP, Planning

Business Overview 

If you are looking for a people-first organization that can offer you the career you crave, UM is your home. We are the destination of choice for the world’s best talent, where every individual is empowered to unleash their limitless potential and do the best work of their careers.  

We are always searching for passionate team members who love media and live and breathe our core values of Curiosity, Courage, and Community. We seek out those who aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions, are excited to explore the nuances, and are hungry for personal growth and continuous learning. People who thrive at UM are collaborators by nature who pursue diverse perspectives because they understand that true innovation is driven by inclusivity. As a people-first agency, we provide the information, tools and technology, career development, and empowerment our people need to realize their potential and achieve their career ambitions.   

A global media network within the IPG Mediabrands family, UM operates in over 100 countries, with 3,000+ people innovating on a roster of powerful brands and our client campaigns have been recognized by the industry’s most competitive global showcases like Cannes Lions, Festival of Media Global, and WARC.   

As a result of our people-first commitment, UM has been celebrated as a FORTUNE Best Workplace in Advertising & Marketing in the US, a Campaign Best Place to Work in EMEA, a Campaign Asia Diverse & Inclusive Workplace in APAC, a top 3 agency in LATAM by The Effies, and ranked the number one agency in both Canada and MENAT by RECMA. 

As VP, Planning, you’ll support the vision and strategic plan for the account, ensuring success across Work Quality, Client Relationships, Financials, and Team Health. You’ll play a key role in planning and executing media strategies integral to their business success and launch industry-leading work that propels the business forward.

• Create and articulate a vision for the team to ensure the team is working towards a common goal (a vision could be in context of a plan, a deck, a POV, etc)
• Develops and leads team in execution media strategy & plan development

• Develop media strategies consistent with brand marketing objectives and selling strategy in partnership with SVP.
• Ensure plans align to client business objectives
• Cultivate strong relationships with peer group to share best in class work and share best practices

• Partner with SBUs to build recommendations based on client objectives and KPIs

• Ability to work across multiple accounts at once and manage cross agency partnerships
• Ability to lead planning for all media channels (video, print, audio, digital, programmatic etc)
• Act as a local market point person for applicable global businesses
• Consistently bring new media and technology ideas to team for application/brainstorming
• Build a high performing team, ensuring mentoring, career development and workload management.
• Strong ability to present to all levels of clients and internal team members/ agency leadership and cross agency leadership

• Self-Starter, demonstrates initiative
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborative mindset
• Thrives in fast paced environment
• Proven track record with client relations and growing existing business
• Solid awareness of industry trends and planning/measurement models

• 10+ years relevant experience; 5+ years as a people manager
• Understanding of marketing and communications process; Planning, buying, managing, and optimizing across all channels (directly and/or consulting)
• High level of comfort presenting to all levels of clients and internal team members/ agency leadership and cross agency leadership

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family.

The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please email [email protected].