Media Planning Director

Overall Objective

The Media Planning Director manages the efforts of his/her assigned teams in the timely development and submission of annual Media Plans, Point-of-Views (POVs) and related media analyses as may be directed or required.

Responsibilities

• Learns all phases of the clients’ marketing objectives.
• Manages the development, implementation and optimization of integrated media plans, strategies and tactics.
• Oversees preparation and presents media plans, as needed, including objectives, strategy, rationale, and all backup materials. Make presentations directly to client senior executives and associated client team members.
• Manage clients’ expectations with leaders, clearly communicating media strategies to clients
• Supervises the execution of media plans, including preparation of media budgets, schedules of insertions, contracts, and supporting materials.
• Prepares media authorizations per approved plans/project requests.
• Prepares budget recaps for clients.
• Trains and supervises supervisors, planners and assistants in all media channels
• Monitors active buys during the negotiations process and checks final buys for adherence to guidelines.
• Monitors live campaigns, ensuring ongoing optimizations are made by team – and delivering periodic campaign performance reporting internally and to clients
• Participates in new business project assignments.
• Assists accounting department in reconciling variances and assuring proper payments.
• Proactively builds relationships with internal and external partners that aid in driving innovative media solutions for assigned clients
• Works with the senior Buying team management to define and develop optimal media buys, monitoring, post-promotional reporting and other post-buy analyses
• Attends presentations by media vendors for the purpose of evaluating new information/services and to maintain good rapport with sales representatives; maintains a high professional profile.
• Develop POVs as needed in response to client needs or requests
• Ensures relationships with account teams are harmonious and productive
• Regularly meets with stakeholders to ensure alignment
• Regularly meets with direct reports to provide feedback and coach/develop team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience
• 8-10+ years media planning experience preferrably in a full-service Advertising/Marketing Agency
• Prior experience in a supervisory and/or Director role is required
• Experienced across most major media channels; sufficient knowledge in both traditional and digital channels
• Excellent presentation and writing skills
• Proven ability to develop high quality media strategies that drove results
• Experience negotiating short and long-term contracts with vendors
• MS Office: Internet Explorer, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Experience with most major media planning technology (e.g., Telmar or IMS Reach/Frequency, Kantar or Nielsen Competitive, Nielsen and/or Comscore ratings, Comscore digital, MRI-Simmons, Scarborough, Mediatools, Strata etc.)
• Experience working in a results-focused, fast-paced environment.