Manager, Media Planning

Initiative is different to other media agencies.

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, LEGO, and T-Mobile.

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

Position Overview

As Manager, Media Planning / Communications Design, you are responsible for managing the production and application of accurate and insightful consumer, cultural relevant, media and market intelligence to contribute to an impactful communications/media plan.

With direction from your Associate Director or Director, you take the strategic design imperatives (Strategy On A Page: SOAP) and communications idea and deploy a variety of data and intelligence to identify and prioritize the best communications channels.

You are able to plot the course of action your team of Communications Designers needs to take, to address the challenge (tasks, approaches, tools, and timelines) and ensure best practice, innovative thinking is applied to the communications design fundamentals.

In this role, you are responsible for the preparation of the communications/ media plan flowchart via MediaTools or Lumina and ensuring the communications plan is built on solid, data rich fundamentals.

Working with partnerships, media publishers/ distributors/ suppliers, and your communications design team, you ensure the accuracy of the inputs required for the development of the media plan flowchart and are responsible for ensuring any changes made to the approach are reflected in the plan and documented to ensure financial compliance and accountable standards are achieved.

With more than 4 years in a Communications Design role, you are versed in the media planning design process/workflow, media fundamentals across all channels, tools and techniques.

You are able to share your thoughts clearly and succinctly in both written and presentation form—you will be expected to know how to use Powerpoint or Keynote Presentation Desktop applications to develop client ready, accurate and error free presentations

Responsibilities

Client

• Responsible for the creation of accurate substantiated and detailed media plans and media planning scenarios
• Responsible for the timely, accurate delivery of day to day requests from the team along with disciplined and organized call-reports and timely follow-throughs
• Responsible for organizing and developing client-facing category, culture and competitive tracking documents

Internal

• Work with the Associate Director and Partnerships team to develop the RFP to brief internal partnership’s/ SBU team and external partners
• Manage the team output and development of the flowchart including oversight of the plan being accurately produced within Ripple/ MediaTools/Lumina to address the reach/frequency and business goals
• Seek opportunities to extend beyond paid through the integration (and quantification) of owned, earned and shared media channels
• Lead the best practice production of audience and communications data and intelligence for the development of the communications plan, utilizing relevant tools and techniques
• Contribute to the ideation team sessions in conjunction with the Strategy team and relevant SBU to generate creative & compelling connections idea.
• Responsible for timely, accurate delivery of day to day requests from the client and internal team
• Oversight of brand media plans, financials, ATBs and billing documentation internally and for the client; able to know and speak to the plan inside and out
• Leads internal, client and partner agency status calls and updates; organizes and coordinates call-reports and ensures that follow-ups are documented and carried out in a timely manner
• Takes the challenge at hand (tasks, approaches, tools, and timelines) and ensure best practice, innovative thinking is applied to the communications design fundamentals
• Digests the client’s goals/target and leads compiling planning inputs – competitive reporting, syndicated audience research, landscape trends, campaign learnings
• Manage, train & mentor junior members of the team – Associate(s), Comms Designer(s)

Prioritization:

• 30% Client
• 60% Internal
• 10% Commercial

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s):

Client

• Contribute key media inputs for best in class communications planning solutions that propel the communications idea
• Able to effectively lead the management of the client’s communications budget to successful outcomes
• Accurately and effectively manage client’s day to day communications design product requirements

Internal

• Able to successfully manage Communications Design planning outputs from team
• Key contributor to RFP process, including briefing and partner selection together with Partnership colleagues (may oversee this on smaller briefs / accounts)
• Able to deploy tools and techniques to deliver best in class communications planning outcomes across OESP

Commercial

• Contributor to SBU revenue growth via communications design (client base)
• Contributor to organic revenue growth from communications design scope (client base)

Desired Skills and Experience

• 4+ years in integrated planning role in media, publisher / vendor, or communications discipline (digital, content)
• Media planning skills must be sufficient and able to be taught to junior team members
• Category or audience experience as relevant per assignment
• 1+ years of experience in managing or developing staff
• Ability to delegate, develop and oversee direct reports
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
• Required PC proficiency and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

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We See You

We embrace diversity, and our responsibility to maintain an inclusive environment is core to our culture and values. We see diversity of people and experiences as fuel for creativity and innovation needed to bring about the best experiences and services. A diverse workforce means we can grow together, be better problem solvers, and bring about long-term, meaningful change where we will achieve above and beyond our business goals. We are better together..

When you join Mediabrands, you join a global community and are valued for who you are – your lived experiences, the contributions you make, and the distinct perspectives you bring. Here, what you think and who you are is just as important as what you do. As we recruit, we are dedicated to looking beyond what a resume can show. If you think you’d be a great addition to the team but don’t have the exact experience or skills, we encourage you to apply and share your unique background with us. We see you at Mediabrands.

Wage and Benefits

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. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.

We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.

The salary range for this position is $xxx to $xxx. 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.

Employment Transparency

It is the policy of Initiative, division of the Interpublic group, 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.

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 accommodation 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 with Initiative, please email [email protected].

IPG Mediabrands