Associate Media Planning Director

Job Description 1. Client Managemento Establish a partner-relationship with clients by being involved in the business environment.o Provide business solutions through media approaches for assigned brands.o Overall account stewardship to ensure communication strategy and implementation are in sync towards clients' business direction.o Undertake key initiatives/business solutions in tandem with clients' goals, business objectives and priorities.o Manage clients' requests appropriately (e.g. push back on unreasonable timelines, make judgment, or evaluate value on ad hoc requests).o Take ownership for assigned brands.o Maintain regular WIPs, dialogues and reviews to ensure effective work processes.o Improve and uphold agency evaluation.o Build and coach high performing team members as required.2. Business Partner Managemento 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.o Conduct professional briefings to business partners on innovations and ensure alignment to clients' objectives.o Establish partnership processes with business partners (e.g. rules of engagement).o Establish rapport and understanding with senior business partners and ensure clear documentation on all communications.o Ensure best value from all negotiations across media owners and campaigns.o Manage and resolve conflicts for Executives and Managers.3. Research & Media Applications Proficiencyo Guide and troubleshoot for Managers on applications usage.o Display competency in using advanced functions in each tool.o Able to tap into proprietary consumer insight applications or alternative sources for more in-depth analysis.o Proficient in using agency's planning approach.4. Financialo Identify opportunities for organic growth of the business.o Uphold financial policy and integrity to avoid violation or potential fraud.o Assist the team members to reconcile all media payment variances of assigned brands.o Work with team members to ensure accurate and timely invoicing (e.g. regular review of unbilled reports, resolve unbilled cases with Finance).o Resolve all ageing matters.o Accurate business forecast of assigned accounts (monthly and annually).5. Industry Knowledge (Consumer, Business or Brand Insights)o Exhibit good understanding and forecast on media/ industry/brand development & implications to the businesses.o Evaluate the strategic implications of media/ industry/brand developments and identify opportunities & threats to businesses (short to long-term).6. Investment Managemento Optimize the given investment or allocate appropriate investments by medium/brands.o Provide investment consultation to client on appropriate budget to meet the desire objectives.o Supervise on cost management for brand across medium used.o Master contract management (e.g. propose, negotiate, track fulfilment, etc.)o Input on action plans in expenditure reports.o Reconcile all sources of costing/investment variances.7. Corporate Responsibilityo Lead/participate in pitches.o Drive awards submission.o Demonstrate appropriate behaviours to uphold the company's image, reputation and credentials.o Identify new business opportunities.o Collaborate with function/practice leads on best practice development.o Demonstrate responsible hiring of talents (e.g. fair employment practice) and ability to manage termination well with due diligence.o Mentor and ensure all direct reports master the skills and organizational savvy required for advancement. Qualifications• 8-10 years media planning experience required, with focus on strategic and operational planning and execution, in regional/global accounts• Knowledgeable about and experienced with the concepts, approaches and issues involved in integrated planning• Adaptive and keen to learn on the digital ecosystem• Familiar with the timelines, processes and needs of the implementation of all media• Knowledgeable about new approaches to and developments in digital tactical planning (social and mobile included)• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving• Able to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure• Supervisory skills• Knowledge and use of various research systems• Technical proficiency, particularly with media systems and MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint• Integrate understanding into the work to make decisions on the business• Filter and adapt the different options and apply good judgment combined with hard facts to select which ideas will produce the best results• Understand what the client's business needs by understanding the history of the brand and what the client wants it to stand for. Understand the client's strategic intent and the implications for building the client's business