Sr. Media Planner, Investment & Strategy

POSITION OVERVIEW IW Group is seeking a strategic and client-focused Senior Media Planner, Investment & Strategy to lead media planning and investment recommendations across a portfolio of high-profile clients, including Covered California. This role serves as a senior contributor within the media team, helping shape integrated media strategies, guide investment decisions, and provide strategic counsel to clients and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate combines strong strategic thinking with deep media expertise across digital and traditional channels. They are equally comfortable developing audience-first media strategies, evaluating media investments, analyzing performance data, and presenting recommendations to clients. This individual will serve as a senior resource for media planners and buyers, helping elevate the quality of work across the team through mentorship, collaboration, and subject matter expertise. This role is designed for a highly motivated media professional seeking to expand their strategic leadership capabilities and grow within an entrepreneurial agency environment. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Media Strategy & Planning Lead the development of integrated media strategies aligned with client objectives, audience insights, cultural intelligence, and business goals. Translate campaign briefs into strategic media frameworks and actionable recommendations across digital and traditional channels. Develop media plans encompassing paid social, search, display, video, CTV, YouTube, audio, OOH, programmatic, and emerging platforms. Evaluate market conditions, competitive activity, consumer behavior, and industry trends to inform media recommendations. Partner with internal teams to ensure media strategies are aligned with broader marketing and communications objectives. Identify innovative opportunities, emerging platforms, and AI-enabled solutions that drive campaign effectiveness. Media Investment & Stewardship Develop strategic budget allocation recommendations across channels and tactics to maximize campaign performance. Lead media investment analysis and provide recommendations that balance efficiency, reach, engagement, and business outcomes. Support vendor negotiations, rate evaluations, added-value opportunities, and media partnerships. Maintain oversight of campaign budgets, pacing, actualization, and financial stewardship. Ensure media plans are optimized to deliver maximum value and effectiveness for client investments. Support billing reconciliation and media financial management processes. Campaign Oversight & Performance Management Provide strategic oversight throughout campaign development, launch, optimization, and reporting. Monitor campaign performance and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Lead testing strategies and optimization recommendations across channels. Analyze performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Develop clear, concise reporting narratives that connect media performance to client business objectives. Client Leadership & Collaboration Serve as a senior media strategist for assigned clients. Present media plans, investment recommendations, performance analyses, and marketplace insights to clients and internal stakeholders. Build trusted relationships with client teams through proactive communication and strategic guidance. Collaborate closely with account, strategy, analytics, and creative teams to ensure integrated campaign execution. Provide mentorship and strategic guidance to media planners and buyers through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Research & Innovation Stay informed on evolving media trends, platform updates, consumer behaviors, privacy regulations, and measurement advancements. Utilize audience, marketplace, and syndicated research tools to inform strategic recommendations. Evaluate emerging technologies, media opportunities, and industry innovations for potential application to client campaigns. Contribute to the development of media best practices, planning frameworks, and operational efficiencies within the department. TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES Advanced experience with Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, DV360, Trade Desk, YouTube, CTV, and programmatic media platforms. Strong understanding of audience targeting methodologies, first-party data strategies, and measurement frameworks. Experience with ad serving and tracking platforms such as Campaign Manager 360. Proficiency in Google Analytics, Excel, Tableau, Looker Studio, or similar reporting and visualization tools. Strong financial acumen related to media budgeting, pacing, actualization, and reconciliation. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business, or a related field. 6-8 years of media planning, buying, and strategy experience within an agency environment. Demonstrated experience developing integrated media strategies across digital and traditional channels. Strong understanding of media investment planning, budget management, and vendor negotiations. Experience presenting recommendations and performance insights directly to clients. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Experience targeting multicultural audiences, particularly Asian American audiences, is highly preferred. Healthcare, public sector, destination marketing, automotive, CPG, or multicultural marketing experience is a plus. HYBRID WORK MODEL IW Group has adopted a hybrid work model. Teams are required to work in-office at least three days per week. While performing the responsibilities of this role, the employee will spend most of the time working at IW Group offices, client offices, or other approved locations. This role may require extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, to support client deliverables and business needs. Occasional travel may be required for client meetings, events, or agency initiatives. #J-18808-Ljbffr IW Group Inc.