Manager, Planning

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.
WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by leading collectively to inspire transformational creativity.
• Create an Open environment by balancing people and client experiences through cultivating trust.
• Lead Optimistically by championing growth and development to mobilize the enterprise.

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand

EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

Role Summary & Impact

As a Manager of Planning, you will direct the day-to-day account activities of the group and play a key role in translating marketing and advertising objectives into overall media strategies. You will also direct the development of media plans consistent with the approved strategy. You will be responsible for developing the skills and knowledge of assigned Associate(s) and/or Senior Associate(s).

Skills and Experience

• Partner with the Director on all aspects of communication plan development and recommendations.
• Demonstrate a full understanding of the Client’s businesses as a basis for all future work.
• Determine and supervise the best possible implementation of all approved communication plans and projects.
• Direct marketing and media analyses to support recommendations.
• Act as primary planning/buying integration contact for outside agency partners.
• Supervise, guide and counsel Senior Associate(s) and/or Associate(s) on all day-to-day activities.
• Train planning staff in media and marketing disciplines as well as the specifics of the Client’s business and industry.
• Accurately, objectively, and constructively evaluate the performance of Senior Associate(s) and/or Associate(s) via the talent development process.
• Provide insightful updates to media and agency partners on the status of all account projects.
• Assume ultimate media financial accountability with Client Accounting and agency partners.
• Act with high integrity when managing solid relationships across agency and media partners to ensure brand understanding, more effectively sell ideas, and contribute to positive agency evaluations,

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in advertising, marketing, business administration or communication; OR equivalent professional work experience.
• 3-4 years experience working within strategy/planning, preferably within a media agency setting.
• Previous experience working across all media channels (digital and traditional).
• Previous experience working with tools including MediaOcean, Prisma is preferred.
• Previous experience working in a data-driven environment is a plus.
• Able to work autonomously in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Adaptable to take direction and multi-task.