Director, Planning

BarkleyOKRP

. Serve as a strategic and operational lead within a planning pod .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $100,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in media planning, strategic analysis, and client relationship management, with a strong ability to integrate cross-functional teams and deliver audience-first media recommendations. Proficient in utilizing media planning tools and applying competitive intelligence to optimize media strategies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Media Planning ExperienceStrategic AnalysisClient Relationship ManagementMedia Planning Tools ProficiencyCross-Functional Team Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Media PlanningStrategic AnalysisMedia Budget ManagementAudience ProfilingMedia Flowchart DevelopmentCompetitive AuditsMedia OptimizationBasic Media MathCreative Messaging AlignmentClient Presentation Skills

Soft Skills

Critical ThinkingEffective CommunicationOrganizational SkillsTeam LeadershipCoaching and Training

Tools & Technologies

VivvixPathmaticsMRI-SimmonsSRDSSQADNielsen NMI/IMSGuideline Planning

Industry Keywords

Media TrendsAudience InsightsIntegrated Media RecommendationsClient BillingMedia Vendor Relationships

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a strategic and operational lead within a planning pod
Develop integrated, audience-first media recommendations aligned with creative messaging
Manage day-to-day media planning work, delegate tasks, and balance team workload
Review and approve team work, obtaining VP feedback or approval as needed
Own key client relationships and lead communication on major media projects
Integrate with Data & Analytics, CRM, Strategy, Creative, PR, Activation, Finance, and other internal teams
Act as strategic lead across clients and align tactical recommendations with strategic direction
Generate creative, ownable ideas and breakthrough audience moments
Manage, coach, and train planning team members
Translate client and strategy audiences into strategic media audiences using syndicated audience tools
Use competitive intelligence to identify category white space and inform media strategy
Oversee client media budgets, media flowcharts, and authorizations
Support client billing with Activation and Finance teams
Identify and develop internal and external points of view based on media and market trends
Ensure media reports provide clear points of view and apply learnings to future strategies
Monitor media trends and identify opportunities for clients
Lead strategic analyses, competitive audits, audience profiles, geographic analyses, and media recommendations
Identify organic growth opportunities across Media, Data & Analytics, and CRM
Maintain relationships with media vendor partners
Partner with Activation to implement approved media recommendations
Present at key client presentations
Lead budget recommendations based on client goals and objectives
Maintain thorough understanding of client businesses and industries
Monitor active campaigns and identify optimization opportunities
Evaluate planning processes, workflows, resources, and tool needs
Update VP, Planning on account status and escalate issues

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field
6+ years of media planning experience required
Able to apply a strategic filter to solve client challenges
Strong knowledge of traditional media channels with an understanding of digital is preferred, but not a requirement
Ability to think critically and apply a strategic approach to all plans or projects
Ability to work effectively with Creative, Media, Data & Measurement, Project Management and Finance teams
Ability to communicate effectively within a team environment and with outside media sales representatives
Passion for media and advertising
Strong organizational and mathematical skills, including basic media math
Thorough knowledge of media planning tools such as Vivvix, Pathmatics, MRI-Simmons, SRDS, SQAD, Nielsen NMI/IMS, and Guideline Planning

Benefits

Comp & perks

Multiple health insurance options
Flexible PTO
Life insurance
401K