Director, Planning - VP

The VP will take ownership of the day-to-day client relationship, overseeing media planning across both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and healthcare professional (HCP) audiences, with a significant emphasis on DTC. This individual will be responsible for translating complex media strategies into clear, actionable recommendations, helping clients understand the rationale behind investment decisions, and ensuring media plans align with broader business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Media Planning & Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of integrated media plans across traditional and digital channels, ensuring alignment with client business objectives.
• Oversee media planning for pharmaceutical brands across DTC and HCP audiences, with particular emphasis on consumer-focused campaigns.
• Translate audience insights, market dynamics, and performance data into thoughtful media recommendations.
• Guide channel selection, investment allocation, and media planning decisions to maximize campaign effectiveness.
• Partner closely with strategy, analytics, investment, and activation teams to develop cohesive, insight-driven media solutions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen media plans, improve performance, and deliver greater value to clients.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day media planning lead for a key pharmaceutical client, independently managing senior-level relationships and strategic conversations.
• Build credibility and trust by clearly communicating the thinking, data, and rationale behind media recommendations.
• Confidently navigate client questions and concerns, offering informed perspectives and constructive solutions.
• Lead client presentations, planning discussions, and business reviews, making complex media concepts accessible and relevant to business objectives.
• Anticipate client needs, proactively address challenges, and maintain strong relationships through consistent communication and follow-through.
• Balance client expectations with sound media recommendations, knowing when to challenge assumptions and when to adapt.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide direction, mentorship, and support to media planning team members, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Establish clear priorities and expectations while empowering team members to take ownership of their work.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment across planning, strategy, investment, and campaign execution.
• Promote a solutions-oriented environment that encourages open communication and shared problem-solving.
• Maintain oversight of deliverables, timelines, and quality while ensuring the team has the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in media planning within an advertising or media agency environment, including leadership of complex client accounts.
• Strong pharmaceutical or healthcare media experience, including hands-on exposure to DTC campaigns; HCP planning experience is highly valued.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrated media planning across digital and traditional channels.
• Proven ability to independently manage senior client relationships, lead strategic discussions, and influence media investment decisions.
• Strong understanding of media planning principles, audience strategy, channel selection, budget allocation, and performance measurement.
• Experience translating complex media concepts and data into clear, compelling recommendations for clients with varying levels of media knowledge.
• Demonstrated success navigating challenging client conversations, managing expectations, and building long-term relationships.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing media planning professionals.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced agency environment.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be a trusted media partner who brings confidence, clarity, and consistency to the client relationship. They'll be comfortable leading independently, explaining not just what we're recommending but why, and working collaboratively with internal teams to deliver strong business outcomes. Above all, they'll combine strategic media expertise with the interpersonal skills and judgment needed to build lasting client confidence.