At a glance:This is a senior leadership role within Rain's Media Planning team that bridges Group Director and VP-level responsibilities. The AVP drives client strategy, strategic planning, business growth, talent development, and agency-wide initiatives while consistently modeling Rain's Leadership Attributes.
The role sits at the intersection of media channels and cross-functional partners, translating client goals, audience insights, marketplace dynamics, and performance data into clear, measurable recommendations.
We are seeking a seasoned media leader with deep cross-channel experience, sharp analytical instincts, executive presence, and the courage to make confident decisions amid ambiguity while staying close to the work.
What does an Associate Vice President, Group Director, Media Planning do at Rain?Client and strategic media leadership- Serve as a senior strategic media lead on key client accounts, developing innovative, future-facing plans that drive measurable business growth.
- Lead integrated planning across Converged TV, Audio, Social, Search, Programmatic, OOH, Print, and emerging channels.
- Translate audience insights, historical performance, attribution outputs, marketplace trends, and client business objectives into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Partners with Analytics and channel leads to shape measurement plans, optimize against brand and performance KPIs, and apply learnings to future planning.
- Bring a senior planning perspective to planning reviews, QBRs, client presentations, and executive discussions, partnering with Media Planning Department leadership on major strategic decisions.
- Build trusted senior client relationships through fresh thinking, clear recommendations, and confident communication, escalating broader business or relationship issues appropriately.
Agency and department leadership- Apply a strategic, agency-first mindset to department direction, business growth, and Rain's readiness for what's next.
- Partner with Media Planning Department leadership to set planning standards, scalable processes, and cross-functional ways of working.
- Champion Rain's CREW Core values and operate from an "our people, our clients" mindset.
- Demonstrate courageous leadership by making timely decisions, challenging the status quo, showing vulnerability, admitting mistakes, and trying new things.
- Strengthen the agency's Media Planning practice by improving planning quality, integration, training, and consistency across teams and workflows.
- Advance Rain's planning tools, proprietary technology, AI-enabled workflows, and attribution models, recommending capabilities that help the agency scale.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging platforms, and measurement evolution, bringing new ideas back to the agency.
New business, networks, and thought leadership- Champions new business by quickly understanding prospective clients' categories, challenges, and growth opportunities, then developing compelling pitches with cross-functional partners.
- Build networks inside and outside the agency, connecting client partners, industry experts, platform and data partners, and peers to exchange ideas and move the agency forward.
- Contribute to POVs, case studies, training materials, and Media Impact Report content that advance Rain's perspective on the evolving media ecosystem.
Talent development and management- Manage, mentor, and develop planning talent, including Directors and emerging leaders, with accountability for team growth and day-to-day leadership.
- Coach teams through strategic planning, client leadership, communication, delegation, and accountability.
- Create and support training opportunities across tools, channels, audience strategy, planning methodology, measurement, and strategic storytelling.
- Champion a high-performing, collaborative, accountable planning culture where team members feel supported, challenged, and connected to agency priorities.
Financial and operational accountability- Provide input on staffing, resource allocation, utilization, and delivery models in partnership with VP/EVP leadership.
- Support account and department health by connecting scope, staffing, profitability, deliverables, client satisfaction, and team capacity.
- Remove barriers, create clarity around ownership and next steps, and maintain urgency around business-critical deliverables.
What do we look for in an Associate Vice President, Group Director, Media Planning at our agency?- 12+ years of experience in agency media planning, integrated media strategy, or related media leadership for national accounts.
- Deep cross-channel planning experience across linear, streaming, digital, audio, social, search, programmatic, retail media, and emerging channels.
- Proven ability to translate data, research, marketplace context, audience insight, and performance results into compelling strategic narratives.
- Strong executive presence and communication skills, with experience leading or contributing to senior client conversations, planning reviews, QBRs, and new business presentations.
- Experience managing and developing senior planning talent, including Directors and high-potential future leaders.
- Strong business acumen, including understanding of staffing, scope, utilization, operational efficiency, resource planning, and the drivers of healthy client business.
- Future-facing POV on media industry change, including audience strategy, Converged TV, measurement evolution, attribution, AI-enabled planning, and changing consumer behavior.
- A critical thinker and problem-solver who can operate through ambiguity, challenge the status quo, and roll up their sleeves when needed.
- A collaborative, agency-first mindset; someone who values relationships at all levels and treats others with dignity and respect.
