Senior Director, Planning

Agency:PHdJob Function:MediaJob Subfunction: Media Planning and BuyingJob Description:Senior Director of Media PlanningThe RoleWe're looking for a Senior Director of Media Planning who will lead our planning practice, set strategic standards across the agency, and drive client outcomes through integrated, full-funnel thinking. You'll own the P&L for assigned accounts, mentor a team of planners and leaders, and champion a planning philosophy that moves the industry forward. You'll be our strategic voice in the room—with clients, with leadership, and across the agency.This is a leadership role where your strategic thinking shapes not just individual client success, but how our entire planning practice operates.What You'll DoStrategic Practice LeadershipDevelop and champion our integrated media planning philosophy (CULTURE COMMUNITY CONVERSION) across all client relationships and new businessSet planning standards and best practices that define how we approach strategy, measurement, and client partnershipBuild proprietary frameworks and methodologies that differentiate our planning approach competitivelyLead thought leadership: position the agency in industry conversations around effectiveness, media strategy, and consumer behaviorInfluence agency offerings: work with leadership to evolve our services, capabilities, and client value propositionClient & Account LeadershipOwn P&L for assigned strategic accounts; drive revenue growth, profitability, and client satisfactionLead account strategy at C-suite level: position yourself as a business partner and strategic advisor, not a media vendorChallenge client briefs systematically: identify gaps in their media strategy and propose comprehensive solutions that move them beyond conventional thinkingBuild custom media architectures based on business objectives, competitive dynamics, and consumer journey—moving beyond category normsOwn client outcomes: ensure integrated planning translates into seamless execution and measurable business resultsTeam & Talent DevelopmentBuild and lead a high-performing planning team (including Associate Directors and Planners), creating a culture of strategic rigor and excellenceMentor leaders and emerging talent toward integrated, systems-based thinkingEstablish planning processes and standards that elevate work across the practiceDevelop career paths and succession plans; attract top planning talent to the agencyChampion continuous learning: foster a team that stays current on research, effectiveness studies, and media landscape evolutionCross-Functional LeadershipPartner with Creative, Insights, Analytics, and Commerce to embed planning in all agency workLead integrated pitch teams and new business development; position planning as the foundation of agency strategyCollaborate with Buying, Research, and other departments to ensure strategic plans execute flawlesslyShape client briefing processes: embed full-funnel thinking into how we scope, plan, and measure workBusiness Development & GrowthContribute to new business pitches and RFP responses, positioning our planning philosophy as a competitive advantageIdentify growth opportunities within existing accounts; propose expanded scope and services based on strategic insightsBuild reputation as a thought leader: speak at industry events, contribute to research, and elevate agency profile in planning circlesWhat We're Looking ForStrategic & Leadership CompetenciesSystems thinker: You understand how brands grow. You connect media strategy to business outcomes, consumer psychology, and long-term brand equity. You can architect integrated strategies that balance short-term performance with long-term brand building.Strategic leader: You set direction, make tough calls, and inspire teams toward ambitious outcomes. You mentor with conviction. You raise standards.Client strategist: You think like a business partner, not a vendor. You challenge clients respectfully, defend recommendations with data and logic, and build trust through strategic rigor.Practice builder: You're not just executing plans—you're building capability, setting standards, and shaping how an entire team approaches planning.Business acumen: You understand P&L, profitability, and how to grow client revenue. You balance strategic ambition with financial discipline.Communication: You distill complexity into clarity. You present strategy with conviction to clients, teams, and leadership. You inspire alignment.Experience & Skills15+ years of media planning experience, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing planning teams and/or P&LProven track record of leading integrated campaigns that drive both brand growth and performance resultsDeep expertise across traditional, digital, social, programmatic, and emerging channelsStrong understanding of media measurement, attribution, analytics, and effectiveness researchDemonstrated ability to develop talent and build high-performing, strategic planning teamsExperience leading new business development and shaping agency offeringsProficiency with media planning and analytics tools; comfortable with data-driven decision makingP&L management experience; comfortable owning revenue, margin, and profitabilityIdeal ProfileYou have a point of view on how advertising works and have shaped industry thinking (through writing, speaking, or influence)You're deeply familiar with effectiveness research (Binet & Fields, Byron Sharp, IPA effectiveness) and apply it to planningYou've built a planning practice or elevated planning capability within an agencyYou've challenged conventional wisdom and moved clients toward more sophisticated strategiesYou're comfortable with ambiguity, change, and the tension between strategic purity and commercial realityYou want to mentor others, raise planning standards, and build something meaningful—not just execute plansYou attract top talent and create an environment where planners want to growWhat We OfferStrategic influence across the agency—your ideas shape how planning is done across all accountsLeadership of a talented, ambitious planning team committed to excellenceP&L accountability and the opportunity to drive meaningful business growthA platform to shape industry thinking: invest in research, speak at conferences, contribute to the conversationPartnership with agency leadership to evolve our capabilities, services, and client value propositionExposure to marquee clients, complex business challenges, and strategic opportunitiesProfessional development: investment in research, certifications, and industry engagementCompetitive compensation, benefits, and equity participation (based on agency structure)A collaborative culture where strategic thinking is valued and excellence is the standardThe Bottom LineYou're not managing plans—you're leading a practice. You're shaping how an entire team approaches strategy, how clients think about media, and how the agency competes. You understand that the best media planning integrates brand and performance, challenges conventional thinking, and drives both business outcomes and long-term brand equity. You develop leaders, attract talent, and set standards. If you think strategically at scale, lead with conviction, and want to build a planning practice that changes the industry—this is the role for you. $150,000-$210,000Omnicom’s policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager. Our objective is to increase this requirement over time, and many of our agencies as well as Omnicom’s corporate group already require five days of in-office attendance.Omnicom is committed to hiring and developing exceptional talent. We agree that talent is uniquely distributed, and we’re focused on developing inclusive teams that can bring the best solutions to everything we do. We strongly believe that celebrating what makes us different makes us better together. Join us—we look forward to getting to know you. We will process your personal data in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice.Link to Recruitment Privacy Notice: For US Job Seekers:It is the policy of Omnicom 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. SummaryLocation: San Francisco, California, United States of AmericaType: Full time