Job Description:

We are Dentsu. We innovate in the way brands are built. That means we do things differently to make them better than they were before. In this way, we ensure that our clients' most important marketing assets - their brands - win in a changing world. Dentsu innovates the way brands are built for its clients through its world-class expertise and capabilities in media, customer relationship management and creative communications services. Headquartered in London, Dentsu operates in 145 countries around the world with more than 50,000 dedicated specialists. 

Job description:

The Planning Manager is responsible for leading media planning strategy across a portfolio of clients while developing and managing a high-performing team. This role oversees the end-to-end planning process, ensuring strategic excellence, operational efficiency, and delivery against client business objectives. The Planning Manager collaborates closely with internal teams including Media Buying, Media Operations, Trafficking, Data & Analytics, and partner agencies to drive integrated media solutions and achieve client goals.

As a senior planning lead, the Planning Manager plays a critical role in shaping media strategy, maintaining planning quality standards, fostering client relationships, and driving innovation through data, technology, and Dentsu capabilities.

Accountabilities:

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of media planning professionals, providing ongoing mentorship, performance management, and career development support.

• Owns and directs media planning strategy across assigned client portfolios, ensuring plans align with client business objectives and deliver measurable results.

• Guides the team in developing integrated media strategies that maximize media investment, efficiency, and campaign effectiveness across all channels.

• Serves as a senior strategic advisor to clients, providing insights, recommendations, and thought leadership on media trends, audience behavior, and market opportunities.

• Drives employee engagement and retention through talent development, succession planning, and collaboration with Leadership and Human Resources.

• Elevates the team's media expertise by championing the use of data, technology, audience insights, and advanced planning methodologies.

• Identifies skill gaps and development opportunities within the team and creates actionable development plans to support performance and growth.

• Promotes adoption and integration of Dentsu capabilities, including The Story Lab, Dentsu Data Labs, Cardinal Path, ICUC, and other strategic offerings to enhance client outcomes.

• Partners with Media Buying and Activation teams throughout campaign execution to ensure strategic alignment, performance optimization, and issue resolution.

• Establishes and enforces planning best practices, governance frameworks, and quality control processes across client accounts.

• Collaborates with partner agencies and cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive communication strategies and effective channel integration.

• Oversees the development of client-facing reports, presentations, and recommendations that clearly communicate strategy, performance, and business impact.

• Supports and leads new business initiatives, including RFP responses, strategic recommendations, client presentations, and pitch participation.

• Contributes to departmental growth initiatives, process improvements, and operational efficiencies within a shared services environment.

• Fosters a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Media, Advertising, Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.

• Minimum 5+ years of media planning experience across all media channels, with at least 2+ years of experience leading and developing teams.

• Proven ability to manage, coach, and retain top talent while driving team performance and engagement.

• Advanced understanding of media planning, audience strategy, campaign management, optimization, and measurement principles.

• Strong knowledge of media research, planning, and reporting tools.

• Experience working with data, analytics platforms, ad technology, bid management platforms, DSPs, and supply-side partners.

• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and manage expectations with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities, including budget management and translating data into actionable insights and recommendations.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP), PowerPoint, and Outloook

Additional information:

Vacancy: Is this posting for the purposes of filling an existing vacancy? [Y/N]

The salary range for this position is $80K-$90K. Actual salary within the salary range will be based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, and skills. A range of medical, dental, RRSP, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available to all permanent employees.

AI Disclosure: [dentsu] utilizes artificial intelligence tools as part of its recruitment process, as during the sourcing and screening stages. All other parts of the dentsu application and hiring processes do not utilize artificial intelligence tools.

We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds foster a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better business results. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the clients we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to working with our candidates from all ability levels throughout the recruitment process to ensure that they have what they need to be at their best. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [email protected] or to begin a conversation about your individual accessibility needs throughout the hiring process.

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