We are looking for a strategic and dynamic professional for the role of Associate Director - Integrated Media Planning to lead integrated media strategy and planning across ATL, digital, social, content, influencer, and performance marketing platforms.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the evolving media landscape, proven expertise in developing integrated communication strategies, and the ability to build trusted client partnerships. This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, media planning excellence, commercial acumen, and leadership to deliver impactful, insight-led media solutions aligned with client business objectives.

The Associate Director will work closely with cross-functional teams, including strategy, creative, digital, performance, analytics, media buying, production, and partner agencies, to develop cohesive, effective, and measurable media solutions. The role will also be responsible for driving account growth, strengthening client relationships, and mentoring teams to deliver high-quality strategic output.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

1. Integrated Media Strategy & Planning

• Lead the development of integrated media strategies and communication plans across ATL, digital, social, content, influencer, and performance marketing channels.
• Translate client business and marketing objectives into effective media strategies, audience-led communication plans, and channel recommendations.
• Drive consumer, category, competitor, and media landscape analysis to identify opportunities and develop differentiated media solutions.
• Define channel roles, audience segmentation, media mix, budget allocation, campaign phasing, reach and frequency objectives, and investment priorities.
• Ensure seamless integration between traditional and digital media channels to maximize campaign impact, audience engagement, and business outcomes.
• Evaluate emerging media platforms, audience trends, and innovative planning approaches to enhance campaign effectiveness.
• Provide strategic recommendations on media investments, campaign architecture, and communication opportunities based on client objectives and market dynamics.

2. Media Effectiveness & Performance

• Establish campaign measurement frameworks, KPIs, and evaluation methodologies aligned with brand and business objectives.
• Monitor campaign performance across relevant metrics, including reach, frequency, impressions, engagement, CTR, CPC, CPM, CPL, conversions, and ROAS, as applicable.
• Partner with analytics and performance teams to derive actionable insights, optimize media investments, and improve campaign efficiency.
• Lead post-campaign analysis, effectiveness reviews, and strategic recommendations to strengthen future planning.
• Drive data-led decision-making through audience insights, media research, campaign analytics, and performance benchmarks.
• Ensure effective media budget management, investment tracking, forecasting, and accountability across client accounts.

3. Client Leadership & Account Management

• Act as a senior strategic partner to clients, building strong relationships with key stakeholders and understanding their business priorities.
• Lead client discussions, strategic presentations, annual media planning, campaign reviews, and quarterly business reviews.
• Proactively identify client challenges and recommend integrated media solutions that address business, brand, and consumer objectives.
• Drive alignment between client expectations, strategic recommendations, media investments, and campaign deliverables.
• Manage senior stakeholder expectations and navigate complex client requirements with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Identify opportunities for account growth, cross-selling, upselling, and expanding integrated media mandates.
• Contribute to client retention and long-term account development through strategic value creation and consistent delivery excellence.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Campaign Delivery

• Work closely with strategy, creative, content, digital, performance, media buying, analytics, production, and external partners to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Provide strategic direction to internal teams to ensure consistency in campaign objectives, messaging, channel roles, and execution.
• Oversee planning timelines, budget approvals, campaign deliverables, and key milestones to ensure seamless campaign delivery.
• Facilitate collaboration across teams and resolve planning or execution challenges to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Ensure integrated media recommendations are practical, commercially viable, and aligned with client expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, campaign workflows, and reporting standards.

5. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop media planning and account management teams, fostering strategic thinking, ownership, and accountability.
• Review and guide the quality of media strategies, planning recommendations, client presentations, and campaign evaluations.
• Build a culture of collaboration, analytical rigor, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Allocate resources effectively across accounts and projects while maintaining high standards of delivery.
• Support the development of team capabilities across integrated planning, media measurement, client management, and emerging media trends.

6. Business Development & Commercial Management

• Lead or contribute to new business pitches, integrated media proposals, strategic presentations, and client growth initiatives.
• Develop compelling media solutions that demonstrate strategic differentiation, measurable value, and business impact.
• Support revenue growth, account profitability, resource planning, and effective management of media-related commercial commitments.
• Build strong relationships with media owners, publishers, digital platforms, and ecosystem partners to unlock new opportunities.
• Stay abreast of industry developments, emerging media technologies, and competitive offerings to strengthen the agency’s strategic proposition.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Media, Mass Communication, Business, or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• 10 to 12 years of relevant experience in integrated media planning, media strategy, or media and account leadership within an advertising or media agency.
• Proven experience in developing and leading integrated media strategies across traditional and digital media channels.
• Strong understanding of ATL, digital, social media, content, influencer marketing, and performance marketing, with the ability to integrate channels into cohesive communication plans.
• Demonstrated expertise in media strategy, audience planning, budget allocation, campaign measurement, and media effectiveness.
• Strong client leadership skills, with experience managing senior stakeholders and leading strategic client conversations.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams, mentoring talent, and managing multiple client accounts or complex campaigns.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, including the ability to interpret campaign data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Google Workspace, and relevant media research, planning, analytics, and reporting tools.
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving agency environment.

What Success Looks Like

• Development of effective, insight-led integrated media strategies that deliver against client business and brand objectives.
• Strong client relationships, high levels of client satisfaction, and sustained account retention.
• Improved media effectiveness, investment efficiency, and measurable campaign outcomes.
• Successful delivery of integrated campaigns through strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Growth of existing accounts and meaningful contributions to new business opportunities.
• Development of high-performing teams with strong strategic, analytical, and client management capabilities.

Location:

Bangalore

Brand:

Carat

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent