Business Overview
UM is a global media agency committed to Futureproofing our clients' businesses. We leverage the transformational power of rich business analytics and real-time intelligence to maximize growth and activate the full consumer journey across content and connections. As the leading global media network in IPG Mediabrands, UM operates in over 100 countries, with more than 3,000 people innovating on a roster of global clients including Accenture, American Express, GoPro, Johnson & Johnson, Levi Strauss & Co, Mattel, Sony, and Spotify. UM is globally headquartered in New York, with North American offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Birmingham, Detroit, Montreal, and Toronto.
At UM, we know our employees are our greatest asset. We are committed to fostering a culture rooted in Diversity, Equity & Belonging, where everyone feels they belong, and their contributions are valued. We prioritize personal and professional growth, encourage an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue passion projects, and celebrate our people and community with moments of joy and spontaneity. Our leadership is dedicated to building a culture of care that permeates every element of the company from work flexibility to career planning to regular talent reviews, and more. Our DNA, for UM, helps guide us in all that we do:
Fearless: We bring our authentic selves to work and put our whole selves into the work
Optimistic: We approach challenges with empathy and curiosity, infusing joy into everything we do
Relentless: We're unwavering in our pursuit of the right solution, eager to reimagine what's possible
Unified: We band together to accomplish what we could not otherwise do alone
Masterful: We're constantly growing in our craft, setting new standards for our industry and our world
We are proud to be named an AdAge Best Place to Work several times over, a Top Workplace in the US by Great Places to Work, a top 10 FORTUNE 2022 Best Workplaces in Advertising & Marketing and She Runs It's 2021 Outstanding Company for Working Mothers. But feedback is most meaningful when it comes from our own people: over 90% of our employees say the agency is a great place to work and 95% say they are proud to work at UM.
Position Summary
As Associate Director, Planning, you'll support the vision and strategic planning for a leading financial account ensuring success across Work Quality, Client Relationships and Team Health. You'll play a key role in planning and executing media strategies integral to their business success and launch industry-leading work that propels the business forward. This planning team's role involves tight collaboration with the International Client team, a dedicated measurement and analytics team & local market planning teams.
Responsibilities

• Responsible and accountable to the implementation of the in-going global media strategy, media principles and channel mixes, driving relationship with internal teams including local market planning teams, strategy, measurement & analytics, operations and brand safety
• Lead communication and relationships with international client team and internal agency local market planning teams, Measurement & Analytics, Operations, and Brand Safety
• Oversee the day-to-day management and communication of media plans for designated client from ideation to performance
• Lead the UM local market teams on timely development of all planning deliverables
• Ensure the strategy and audience insights are funneled down into the tactical media plans.
• Ensure accuracy of all client deliverables
• Ensure UM cross-market visibility and adoption of best practices, innovation and global partnerships
• Support the development of client-led global media briefs, including building channel mixes by market tied to budgets & audience sizing & universally strategic media principles
• Maintain client friendly timelines to launch for each market
• Provide client-friendly, cross-market roll ups of campaign elements
• Ensure measurement and learning agendas are accurate & comprehensive and part of the tactical recommendations delivered to the client

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong institutional knowledge of media planning principles
• Strong knowledge / experience with recommending campaign optimizations based on brand health & ROI results
• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships with cross functional partners, internal teams, and stakeholders
• Proactive approach to problem solving
• Comfortable exploring new technologies, platforms and approaches to push the needle on big ideas
• Ability to manage both upwards and downwards to ensure cross team communication
• Ability to speak/present to both junior and senior level clients
• Strong presentation skills
• UM does not require candidates to have a college degree

Desired Skills & Experience

• 5 years of integrated planning and 2-3 years experience in a people manager role; strong ability to delegate, train, and support direct reports
• Experienced people manager, supporting team in career development, training, and workload management
• Ability to learn/master agency tools specific to your account (MediaTools, Growth Accelerator, NMI)
• Project management; effectively managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under a fast-paced environment

We See You
At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community.
We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.
We See You at IPG Mediabrands.
Wage and Benefits
We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.
We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.
The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee's/applicant's skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.
Employment Transparency
It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email accommodation@mbww.com.
About IPG Mediabrands
IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.
Salary Range
$95,000-$115,000 USD