Group Director, Planning

Job Description:

This Group Director, Planning role is managerial, but also one of agency leadership.You will own the relationship with Brand Management and partner agencies - the key sources of business problem/opportunities for which communication planningideas can be solutions.demonstratesthe ability to design and drive programs (not just strategies) that improve sales performance of the brand. You are directly responsiblefor the holistic communication plan and design aspects forthe holistic communication plan and design aspects for the assigned client. You will also provide strategic direction for assigned accounts and should understand all aspects of their client’s business as well as the overall technology/competitive landscape.

This role is based in New York City, NY and we are NOT open to remote candidates.

In this specific role, you provide communications planning leadership on a major beverage/ alcohol brand. Experience in this industry is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

IntegratedPlanning:

• Responsible for total management of a given brand’s business(both traditional and digital)throughout the entire strategic, planning, and implementation process

• Accountable for all communication and media deliverables;maintainstatus report as demonstration of this and for client and internal management effectiveness

• Translate strategy statement into ideas and actions; expand communications planning influence beyond Context Strategies and communications plans into orchestrated marketing tactics that deliver on stated goals using agreed to marketing and communications strategies

• Lead or co-lead with Strategy Director in strategic positioning, segmentation initiatives and in areas of holistic program planning and communications idea generation/execution. Use Group Director,IntegratedPlanningstrategically to broaden perspective or sharpen selling power

• Create coherent communications plan (appropriate channels, suitable mix) based on all info available (sales, MMM, METT, publicly available info, etc.) - not just receptivity data

• Oversee strategic implementation and measurement/optimization of communication plans; create projects that are critical to each brand’s marketing and learning plans and be the point-person on strategic and broader implementation questions (leverage management strength of team toimplement media plan specifics)

• Earn shared leadership role with creative agency in holistic brand management and marketing planning process, including new product development, positioning concepts, segmentation, marketing planning, creative execution, message distribution, measurement, andoptimization

• Brief partner agencies on strategic implementation needs and roles of specific communication channels; use specific examples that relate to your brands, retail environments, and competitiveset with real or estimated metrics for success to help clients and other partner agencies understand how to communications strategy comes to life in the communications plan

• Work with internal & external teams to ensure that strategic themes and communications plans are implemented faithfully; provide critical leadership in helping others on the team understand how strategies and plans impact sales and ensure output isin synchwith the business goals

• Build and sustain strong client relationships-attending client meetings andmaintainingregular contact; contact frequency, depth of understanding of client business and effectiveness in selling recommendations are typically related especially in first 12 months on account

• Partner and support Strategy Director

• Collaborate withGroup Director,IntegratedPlanningin creating and negotiating yearly client contracts and supplemental proposals and manage account profitability

Client & Internal Relationships:

• Build trusting collaborative relationships with clients of all levels

• Maintain senior client relationships

• Manage expectations of clients and deliverables

• Stay on top of business andclient concerns to head off issues early

• Accuratelyrepresentsthe client’s point of view when reviewing work,leveragethis perspective when providing feedback to team and presenting to client,ultimately focusedon doing the best work for the Client’s business

• Invest time to investigateopportunitiesfor providingbetter Client support

• Ensure collaboration among all Agency departments; fosters great teamwork

• Include agency executives inappropriate clientmeetings

• Provideappropriate managementupdates andsolicitfeedback and direction when appropriate

• Participate and present in New Business efforts and presentations, where appropriate

Strategic Thinking & Leadership:

• Demonstrate a keen knowledge of client brands, brands equity, consumerdefinitionand motivations

• Lead and contribute to the development of strategic and tacticalcommunications plans

• Articulate effective strategic rationale and logic flow

• Develop specific, measurable client business objectives

• Develop strategies and tactics by media discipline, where appropriate

• Ensure key information is provided toteamregardingclient issues, internal agency issues, changes in account status, etc.

• Respond appropriately when presented with problems and issues

• Seek lasting solutions rather than quick fixes

• Ensure group isproperly trainedon all internal procedures, bestpracticesand Media tools

• Assistswith evaluation of new tools, technologies, and AI capabilities

• Evaluate media/communication opportunities and provide sound recommendations as appropriate

• Ensureappropriate staffutilization

• Train, motivate,developand lead a media planning team

• Construct and deliveraccurate,honestandtimelyperformance management documents

Communication Skills:

• Encourage open, ongoing internal communication

• Establish andmaintaincommunications process with clients,media buying AOR, creative, etc. for each piece of business within the team

• Developclient presentations and other important communication;communication that is clear,compellingand persuasive

• Lead client presentations

• Adapt communication style to relevant audience

• Link communication to audience’s concerns and perspectives

• Move audiencetodesiredaction through clear and persuasive delivery of information

• Communicate key information about our company

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree

• 11+ years of experience in mediaand brand management (integrated experience ideal),experience shouldinclude progressive client management experience

• Deep knowledge and experience with multi-channel marketing

• Strong client service experienceworking on major brands ideally in the Beverage, Alcohol, CPG spaces

• Experience managing a team of planners,supervisorsand associate directors

• Proven ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, fostering strong cross-functional teamwork and results

• Strategic thinking ability with balanced analytical and creative approach to tactical planning

• Experience successfully bringing together people from different disciplines, internal and external to achieve desired outcomes

• Understanding of multiple communications channels and their role in brand marketing

• Research experience

• Commitment to delivering creative solutions, and the ability to align team members behind creative solutions

• High-levelproficiencyin MS Word, PowerPoint,Exceland Outlook

The annual salary range for this position is $136,850 - $182,850. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,

• Life insurance,

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,

• 401k,

• Flexible paid time off,

• At least 15 paid holidays per year,

• Paid sick and safe leave, and

• Paid parental leave

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visitwww.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.

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