Director, Strategic Planning

The Dir, Strategic Planning is an experienced planning lead with a track record of success in client-facing, supervisory, and new business roles. They possess expertise in planning tools and core competencies, with a focus on driving proper use of positioning, insight generation, and creative brief writing. Their market research expertise and consulting skills enable them to uncover strategic opportunities and inform creative development. With strong strategic leadership, they drive clarification and direction in internal and client meetings. They demonstrate advanced strategic storytelling skills, using frameworks such as blue ocean and challenger. Their client‑focused approach ensures exceptional service delivery. Seen as a leader within the department, they are responsible for the supervision and career development of multiple levels of talent.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Brand Planning: Expert in strategic discipline, agency processes and pharma compliance requirements. Translates market dynamics, customer insights and deep understanding of disease state to developing brand strategy and solving brand challenges. Displays strong storytelling skills and voice as it relates to written strategy skills. Expands role on new business by conducting research, distilling insights, generating strategy, and storytelling. Client Management: Displays strategic leadership and facilitation of an expanded set of client workshops and brainstorming sessions. Grows ability to drive influence toward a strategic POV and recommendation internally and with clients. Serves as consultant to client on market research design, methodologies, and analysis. Strong strategic voice, driving clarification, direction, and leadership of internal and, if applicable, client meetings. Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Lead strategic planning responsibilities on multiple brands, integrated accounts, with greater autonomy and proficiency. Partner with other agency departments to ensure pull‑through of insights and strategy. Talent Management: Manage and mentor junior level staff and delegate incoming tasks and assignments as appropriate. Involved in hiring and staffing decisions and full life‑cycle talent management (e.g., delivering feedback, annual reviews, general and performance management).

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

For Specialty functions, see additional information (if applicable) in the box below. Executes expert‑level understanding of the strategic planning fundamentals of disease state, indications, customer, and science of assigned brands. Partners with other agency departments to ensure pull‑through of insights and strategy. Leads strategic planning responsibilities on multiple small accounts, new business and/or supports senior planners on larger, integrated accounts, with autonomy and proficiency. Leads the full suite of brand strategy deliverables (positioning, bedrock, creative briefs/briefings, message strategy, tactical planning). Market research expertise and consulting; drive insight mining/ideation to uncover strategic opportunities and inform and strengthen creative. Expert in planning tools and core competencies, driving proper use; positioning, insight generation and creative brief writing. Expand leadership on new business opportunities in immersion insight gathering, storytelling, strategy development, and tactic pull‑through. Strategic leadership and facilitation of expanded set of client workshops and brainstorm sessions. Directly supervises Associate Director, Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning Supervisor, and/or Senior Strategic Planner, on brand(s), and provides mentorship/guidance to team as needed. Responsible for hiring, staffing, career development, and full life‑cycle talent management for direct team (e.g., delivering feedback, annual reviews, general and performance management). Demonstrates leadership, empathy and professionalism in communications.

EDUCATION

Degree/Diploma: Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or Related Field (preferred).

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

7+ years Brand strategy or market research in an agency setting (required). 5+ years Pharmaceutical/Health experience (preferred).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Competent in software specific to the client and agency processes including Microsoft Word, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel. Strong working knowledge in research tools (search databases including SERMO, Datamonitor). Excellent working knowledge in social media platforms. Excellent oral and written communication. Excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills; triangulate insights and data from multiple sources, departments, agency partners to analyze and solve problems. Ability to use AI platforms as an accelerant for brand needs and strategic deliverables. Able to work on multiple projects, adhere to timeline and maintain organization. Understanding of agency offerings, services, products, and solutions. Strong level of understanding of brand/pharma marketing and promotional strategy and trends (customer, industry, innovation).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SPECIALTY FUNCTIONS

Pharma/health strategic planning/marketing brand experience preferred (1 or more). Market access agency, access and reimbursement, or market access industry experience required. Strong level of understanding of brand/pharma marketing and market access strategy and trends (customer, industry, innovation). Growth in strategic storytelling skills and POV development. Salary: $130,000 to $180,000 annually The salary range for this position is noted within this job posting. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the company, as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience and qualifications. It is the policy of IPG Health and any of its affiliates to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. EOE/AA/M/D/V/F. #J-18808-Ljbffr Neon Nyc