Senior Director, Planning

Agency: PHd

Develop and champion our integrated media planning philosophy (CULTURE > COMMUNITY > CONVERSION) across all client relationships and new business Set planning standards and best practices that define how we approach strategy, measurement, and client partnership Build proprietary frameworks and methodologies that differentiate our planning approach competitively Lead thought leadership: position the agency in industry conversations around effectiveness, media strategy, and consumer behavior Influence agency offerings: work with leadership to evolve our services, capabilities, and client value proposition Client & Account Leadership Own P&L for assigned strategic accounts; drive revenue growth, profitability, and client satisfaction Lead account strategy at C-suite level: position yourself as a business partner and strategic advisor, not a media vendor Challenge client briefs systematically: identify gaps in their media strategy and propose comprehensive solutions that move them beyond conventional thinking Build custom media architectures based on business objectives, competitive dynamics, and consumer journey—moving beyond category norms Own client outcomes: ensure integrated planning translates into seamless execution and measurable business results Team & Talent Development Build and lead a high-performing planning team (including Associate Directors and Planners), creating a culture of strategic rigor and excellence Mentor leaders and emerging talent toward integrated, systems-based thinking Establish planning processes and standards that elevate work across the practice Develop career paths and succession plans; attract top planning talent to the agency Champion continuous learning: foster a team that stays current on research, effectiveness studies, and media landscape evolution Cross-Functional Leadership Partner with Creative, Insights, Analytics, and Commerce to embed planning in all agency work Lead integrated pitch teams and new business development; position planning as the foundation of agency strategy Collaborate with Buying, Research, and other departments to ensure strategic plans execute flawlessly Shape client briefing processes: embed full-funnel thinking into how we scope, plan, and measure work Business Development & Growth Contribute to new business pitches and RFP responses, positioning our planning philosophy as a competitive advantage Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts; propose expanded scope and services based on strategic insights Build reputation as a thought leader: speak at industry events, contribute to research, and elevate agency profile in planning circles

Systems thinker: You understand how brands grow. You connect media strategy to business outcomes, consumer psychology, and long-term brand equity. You can architect integrated strategies that balance short-term performance with long-term brand building. Strategic leader: You set direction, make tough calls, and inspire teams toward ambitious outcomes. You mentor with conviction. You raise standards. Client strategist: You think like a business partner, not a vendor. You challenge clients respectfully, defend recommendations with data and logic, and build trust through strategic rigor. Practice builder: You’re not just executing plans—you’re building capability, setting standards, and shaping how an entire team approaches planning. Business acumen: You understand P&L, profitability, and how to grow client revenue. You balance strategic ambition with financial discipline. Communication: You distill complexity into clarity. You present strategy with conviction to clients, teams, and leadership. You inspire alignment. Experience & Skills 15+ years of media planning experience, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing planning teams and/or P&L Proven track record of leading integrated campaigns that drive both brand growth and performance results Deep expertise across traditional, digital, social, programmatic, and emerging channels Strong understanding of media measurement, attribution, analytics, and effectiveness research Demonstrated ability to develop talent and build high-performing, strategic planning teams Experience leading new business development and shaping agency offerings Proficiency with media planning and analytics tools; comfortable with data-driven decision making P&L management experience; comfortable owning revenue, margin, and profitability Ideal Profile You have a point of view on how advertising works and have shaped industry thinking (through writing, speaking, or influence) You’re deeply familiar with effectiveness research (Binet & Fields, Byron Sharp, IPA effectiveness) and apply it to planning You’ve built a planning practice or elevated planning capability within an agency You’ve challenged conventional wisdom and moved clients toward more sophisticated strategies You’re comfortable with ambiguity, change, and the tension between strategic purity and commercial reality You want to mentor others, raise planning standards, and build something meaningful—not just execute plans You attract top talent and create an environment where planners want to grow