Senior Associate, Planning

Wavemaker
dental insurance, paid time off
United States, New York, New York
175 Greenwich Street (Show on map)
Apr 04, 2025
Position Summary: The Senior Associate, Planning plays a crucial role in the development and execution of media plans for the Johnson & Johnson account. This role requires a strong understanding of media channels, research tools, and budget management, along with excellent communication and collaboration skills. The Senior Associate will work closely with the planning team, internal teams, and clients to ensure effective and innovative media strategies. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and high-profile account within a fast-paced agency environment. Major Responsibilities/Principal Accountabilities: Media Planning & Execution: Analyze media landscape, marketing data, and competitive spending to inform media plan development. Evaluate and utilize media data for plan execution, including audience delivery, schedules, and rates. Contribute to media strategy development in collaboration with planning team members. Attend client meetings, taking notes of plan recommendations and updates. Manage day-to-day plan changes and maintenance, collaborating with planning team. Develop and maintain media flowcharts using specialized software (e.g., Media Tools). Manage budget tracking and reconciliation, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. Assist in the development of media POVs and strategic recommendations. Media Research & Analysis: Proficiently utilize media research tools (e.g., IMS, NMI, Nielsen) to analyze data and draw actionable insights. Evaluate digital performance and identify optimization opportunities. Conduct audience research using various tools and methodologies. Client & Internal Collaboration: Build strong relationships with internal WPP+ teams. Effectively communicate media plans and performance updates to stakeholders. Collaborate with account teams to ensure alignment between media strategy and overall marketing objectives. Proactively seek and incorporate feedback to improve media plan effectiveness. Industry Knowledge & Development: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging media channels. Participate in media training sessions and share knowledge with team members. Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices within the team. Assist in training and development of junior staff. Must-Have Skills: Media Research Tools: Proficiency in using industry-standard tools for media research (e.g., IMS, NMI, Nielsen, comScore) and audience insights (MRI, MARS, SIMMONS). Media Flowcharting: Experience creating and managing media flowcharts using specialized software for tracking and visualizing information (e.g., Media Tools). Budget Management: Proven ability to manage and track multi-million dollar budgets Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with digital media planning and buying. Knowledge of various media channels (e.g., TV, digital, print, OOH, radio/audio). Eagerness to Learn: Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to learning new skills and staying updated on industry trends. Self-Starter: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Active Listener: Strong listening skills and the ability to effectively understand and respond to client and team member needs. Comfortable with Ambiguity: Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities and navigate uncertain situations effectively as new team develops processes and new ways of working. Proactive Problem Solver: Ability to identify and address challenges proactively, seeking solutions and escalating issues when necessary. Desired Skills & Experiences: Experience working with pharmaceutical or healthcare clients with preference to Immunology or Oncology brand experience. Knowledge of Johnson & Johnson's brand portfolio and marketing objectives. Experience with advanced analytics and data visualization tools. Life at GroupM Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we're just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. GroupM employees can tap into the global GroupM & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. GroupM is WPP's media investment group and the world's leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and T&Pm, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com. GroupM is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. GroupM is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with GroupM, please send an e-mail to GroupM Leave Administration at Leave.Administration@groupm.com or call (212) 297-8507 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $45,000 to $100,000. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, please visit https://www.wpp.com/people/wellbeing/benefits-at-wpp-in-the-us for more details.