Planning Director

Planning Director leads a unit of media professionals in the conception and delivery of innovative, well-targeted business building marketing solutions across a variety of media to meet or exceed clients’ objectives. This involves the creation and execution of media plans, unearthing insights, integrating capabilities and flawless execution on all fronts.

The Planning Director is the primary point of contact for clients and will oversee the day-to-day communications planning and/ or buying processes for the assigned accounts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Client Management
- Establish a partner-relationship with clients by being involved in the business     
  environment.
- Provide business solutions through media approaches for assigned brands.
- Overall account stewardship to ensure communication strategy and implementation are
  in sync towards clients' business direction.
- Undertake key initiatives/business solutions in tandem with clients' goals, business   
  objectives and priorities.
- Manage clients' requests appropriately (e.g. push back on unreasonable timelines, make    judgment or evaluate value on ad hoc requests).
- Take ownership for assigned brands.
- Maintain regular WIPs, dialogues and reviews to ensure effective work processes.
- Improve and uphold agency evaluation.
- Build and coach high performing team members as required.

2.  Business Partner Management
- Leverage good relationships with senior business partners (e.g. creative, media owners),
  hence the ability to obtain updated information that contributes to the brand objectives
  and value-add to clients.
- Conduct professional briefings to business partners on innovations and ensure alignment
  to clients' objectives.
- Establish partnership processes with business partners (e.g. rules of engagement).
- Establish rapport and understanding with senior business partners and ensure clear
  documentation on all communications.
- Ensure best value from all negotiations across media owners and campaigns.
- Manage and resolve conflicts for Executives and Managers.

3.  Research & Media Applications Proficiency
- Guide and troubleshoot for Managers on applications usage.
- Display competency in using advanced functions in each tool.
- Able to tap into proprietary consumer insight applications or alternative sources for more
  in-depth analysis.
- Proficient in using agency's planning approach.

4. Industry Knowledge (Consumer, Business or Brand Insights)
-  Exhibit good understanding and forecast on media/ industry/brand development &
   implications to the businesses.
-  Evaluate the strategic implications of media/ industry/brand developments and identify
   opportunities & threats to businesses (short to long-term).

5. Investment Management
-  Optimize the given investment or allocate appropriate investments by medium/brands.
-  Provide investment consultation to client on appropriate budget to meet the desired
   objectives.
-  Supervise on cost management for brand across medium used.
-  Master contract management (e.g. propose, negotiate, track fulfilment, etc.)
-  Input on action plans in expenditure reports.
-  Reconcile all sources of costing/investment variances.

6.  Corporate Responsibility
-  Lead/participate in pitches.
-  Drive awards submission.
-  Demonstrate appropriate behaviors to uphold the company's image, reputation and
   credentials.
-  Identify new business opportunities.
-  Collaborate with function/practice leads on best practice development.
-  Demonstrate responsible hiring of talents (e.g. fair employment practice) and ability to
   manage termination well with due diligence.
- Mentor and ensure all direct reports master the skills and organizational savvy required
  for advancement.