Associate Director, Media Planning

About the role

The Associate Director, Media Planning leads a planning pod, turning high‑level strategy into audience‑first media plans that align with creative messaging. You will guide integrated media recommendations, manage day‑to‑day client relationships, and ensure operational and financial discipline across key accounts.

Key responsibilities

• Develop strategic and tactical media recommendations that support client business objectives.
• Translate audience insights and competitive data into actionable media strategies using syndicated tools such as MRI‑Simmons, Resonate, and YouGov.
• Identify category white‑space and craft unique media moments that amplify creative impact.
• Evaluate campaign performance, provide optimization insights, and track marketplace trends.
• Own daily client interactions, delivering status updates, recommendations, and campaign reviews.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Strategy, Creative, Activation, Analytics, CRM, Finance) to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and coach junior pod members, fostering growth and maintaining operational excellence.

Required profile

• Curious and analytical mindset, always probing deeper for insights.
• Strategic storyteller capable of distilling complex data into clear narratives.
• Empowering manager who balances delegation with hands‑on support.
• Resilient and adaptable, thriving in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.
• Commercially focused with a strong understanding of client business and growth opportunities.

Required skills

• Proficiency with syndicated research tools: MRI‑Simmons, Resonate, YouGov.