Overview

The Associate Director, Media Strategy & Planning is a hybrid project manager and strategic leader responsible for driving media planning excellence of a complex media account. They serve as a cross-functional partner, working closely with client leadership, account teams, and internal media disciplines to deliver innovative media solutions that meet client business objectives. This role ensures flawless execution of media campaigns by coordinating across internal teams including: Media, National Video, Social, Programmatic, and Data & Analytics, and managing operational processes such as billing, timelines, and deliverables. Success in this role requires a blend of critical thinking, operational excellence, and client-facing finesse. The ideal candidate is highly organized, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can successfully manage multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Drive the entire process of media plan implementation from initiation to completion and analysis; ensuring achievements, deliverables, and budgets are met.
• Provide expertise in digital, national video and traditional media planning, helping clients navigate evolving consumer and media landscapes.
• Facilitate communication across internal and external teams across media channels to maintain alignment on timelines, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and help implement scalable solutions that enhance operational workflow.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, optimization, and account growth across brands.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, providing coaching, guidance, and support for career growth.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across the planning team while helping drive best practices and process improvements.
• Contribute to new business opportunities and agency thought leadership initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Have been working in digital media planning, buying and management for 7+ years with progressive levels of responsibility
• Strong cross-channel planning and buying skills, particularly in digital and national video channels
• Successful at building strong, collaborative client relationships, instilling trust and authority on behalf of the agency
• Ability to manage timelines, projects and personnel within direct report team and across cross-functional teams
• Flexible and able to keep up with a fast-paced, constantly-evolving environment, including the capacity to successfully manage multiple workstreams at one time
• Strong foundation in strategic and critical thinking, finding ways to innovate and collaborate with teams to improve outputs
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing junior talent.
• Proactive, adaptable team player who can balance hands-on execution with strategic leadership.

Additional information

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
Tuition Assistance
Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
Matching Gifts programs
Flexible working arrangements
'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Compensation Range: USD $97,375.00 - USD $133,300.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 9/15/2026.