Company description
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellogg Company, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa and more.
Overview
The Associate Director, Planning oversees a media planning team and manages cross-media strategy and planning campaigns. The Associate Director owns planning activities for complex or large spend campaigns, and is responsible for generating strategic insights while driving learnings across the full suite of the client's activities.
The ideal candidate for this position will be a thoughtful decision maker and team player who loves data and has the proven ability to lead strategic planning initiatives including deck writing, budget and channel allocation and audience development. This is an energetic, collaborative team that partners with an analytics-driven client to provide guidance as they continue to grow and evolve their brand.
Responsibilities
Strategize with internal directors and client to develop innovative, well-targeted marketing solutions
Interface with clients and partner agencies to build strategic communication plans for targeted audiences
Review client deliverables for quality, ensuring that recommendations and work product are sound and viable
Own the development of strategic proposals and client facing POVs, coordinating with necessary teams to account for all relevant inputs
Assume accountability and ownership of campaign planning for assigned client accounts
Embrace and encourage a culture based on teamwork, collaboration, and support
Develop best practices for improving communication and collaboration within the team and the group
Lead knowledge share sessions to share and learn new strategies for optimizing and enhancing campaign performance
Collaborate and foster relationships with key partners including clients, internal teams, and leadership
Lead strategic planning initiatives including deck writing, budget and channel allocation, and audience development
Serve as escalation point for teams to help troubleshoot issues
Support development of strategic approach and experience design by delivering channel ideas and providing the link to reality of historical performance and in-market opportunities
Responsible for management and development of Associates, Senior Associates, and Supervisors
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree preferred, preferably with a concentration in marketing, advertising, communications, business, sociology, or consumer insights
5+ years of experience in media planning/strategy experience across media channels
Previous team management experience
Strong digital media experience preferred
Resourceful, curious, and motivated individual with an ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
Ability to manage timelines, projects and personnel within direct report team and across cross-functional teams
Proven experience in successfully managing multiple work streams at one time
Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills
Excellent presentation skills to effectively lead meetings in-person with key clients
Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and manage priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with strong understanding of Excel and PowerPoint
Experience working within media systems/platforms (Kantar, MOAT, Prisma, ComScore etc.)
Additional information
Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.
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 U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.
Compensation Range: $106,780.00 - $153,405.00 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 3/9/2026.
If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
