Media Director, Planning

At GSD&M, we’re on a mission to build First & Only brands, meaning the first to do it and the only ones who can. We’re able to do this because we set a high bar for ourselves and our work. We care about what we put out in the world. We’re humans who like other humans. Our ideas make a difference.

Shift culture. Create a smile. Inspire change. Initiate belly laughs. Deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves. We grow. We learn. We get better. We do it all over again. Because that’s what it takes to build and be First & Only.

• Job Title:
  
  Media Director, Planning
• Department:
  Media
• Reports to (Position): VP, Media Planning
• Supervisory Responsibilities (Y/N):
  Yes
• FLSA Status (Exempt vs. Non-Exempt):
  Exempt
• Travel (%): 15-30%

GSD&M is searching for an Media Director to join our Planning team. The ideal candidate leads with audience-first thinking, bolstered by a digital mindset that’s balanced by the ability to seamlessly lead a cross-functional media strategy team. The role reports into the VP, Director (Planning) but is responsible for leading the overall client relationship and strategic development of media plan recommendations via research, historical client-based campaigns, and collaboration within the cross-functional agency team.

This person will also be responsible for management and development of the Planning team, along with partnering closely with the Digital Solutions, Video Investment and Decision Science teams.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Possess familiarity across all things digital, and know how all elements within digital ecosystem work together
• Strategic understanding of digital marketplace and thorough experience planning digital-heavy campaigns, including:
  • Direct, programmatic, paid search and paid social, across all platforms
  • Custom partnerships/programs, gaming and social programs connected to media buys
• Help usher established traditional media planning and buying process into the digital age
• Meet with media sales reps and industry representatives on a regular basis to pursue ideas that are strategically aligned with the client’s business
• Be a source of confidence with the clients so they trust you as an expert in cross-platform, audience-first strategy development
• Provide point-of-view on various new media and technologies in the marketplace
• Ability to use alternative analytical approaches to solve media problems

• Possess thorough knowledge of marketing and advertising principles; understanding of media concepts and terminology
• Familiar with media buying and planning process within an integrated agency environment
• Develop planning objectives and strategies that coincide with the client’s marketing direction
• Utilize available interactive media planning tools to develop media plans
• Lead team in developing media plans, final recommendations, and campaign performance reports
• Proven ability to think critically, analyze performance and opportunities, and look for unconventional solutions
• Aggressively keep abreast of the current media landscape and industry trends (via trade press, seminars, current events, etc.) that may impact client’s business

• Provide strategic direction to media supervisors, planners and assistant media planners while maintaining some day-to-day planning responsibilities
• Serve as a mentor and provide conduits for professional growth among the team
• Ultimately responsibility for the work generated by the team
• Ability to train, motivate and foster a strong, cohesive working team
• Ability to effectively handle personnel issues and provide recommendations on additional resources needed

• Establish and maintain professional client relationships; manage the flow of client media needs
• Provide strategic thinking and oversight of work
• Ability to articulate objectives, opportunities and techniques
• Ability to effectively and comfortably communicate and interact with clients and negotiate on their behalf
• Responsible for overall budget control across all client-specific campaigns

• Collaborate with Media Directors, Account Directors, Director of Decision Science, Director of Media Operations and Investment Leads to foster convergence
• Take a fresh look at…