Associate Director, Media Planning

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Media Planning

🔹 Company: Zeta Global

🔹 Location: New York, United States

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (T-W-TH in-office)

🔹 Category: Marketing Services

🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 6+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving strategic media plans and RFP responses to win new business and grow existing accounts
• Overseeing media planning outputs and mentoring senior media planners
• Collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Strategy, and Analytics teams
• Managing internal resources and team workload to deliver high-quality work on tight timelines

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving measurable client outcomes and winning business.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the development of strategic, high-impact media plans and RFP responses that help win new business, grow existing accounts, and drive measurable client outcomes

✅ Set the strategic direction for the Northeast planning team, ensuring all recommendations align to client goals, marketplace realities, and cross-channel media opportunities

✅ Oversee the accuracy, clarity, and quality of all media planning deliverables, ensuring the team’s output meets the highest standards across RFP responses

✅ Serve as a key point of escalation for internal teams, proactively navigating challenges, providing solutions, and maintaining strong partnerships

✅ Communicate clearly, consistently, and cross-functionally aligning internal stakeholders across Client Partners, Marketing, Strategy, and Analytics to keep planning efforts on track and impactful

✅ Remain hands-on in planning work and RFP development, especially for high-priority or complex opportunities

✅ Manage, mentor, and motivate a team of media planners providing day-to-day guidance, support, and long-term career development

✅ Manage internal resources and team workload to deliver consistently high-quality work on tight timelines

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of digital and integrated media planning, as well as the ability to balance big-picture vision with execution.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: College Degree preferred

Experience: 6+ years of experience in online advertising or digital media

Required Skills:

• Deep experience in digital and integrated media planning
• Ability to connect upper- and lower-funnel strategies to client goals
• Confidence owning RFP responses and strategic recommendations
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage shifting priorities, team workload, and tight timelines

Preferred Skills:

• Agency experience

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong foundation in media planning and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,000 - $125,000 depending on location and experience

Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee Equity
• Employee Discounts, Virtual Wellness Classes, and Pet Insurance

Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (T-W-TH in-office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and experience level in the New York area.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Marketing Services

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 2007

Company Description:

• Zeta Global (NYSE: ZETA) is the AI-Powered Marketing Cloud that leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and trillions of consumer signals to make it easier for marketers to acquire, grow, and retain customers more efficiently
• Their enterprise customers across multiple verticals are empowered to personalize experiences with consumers at an individual level across every channel, delivering better results for marketing programs
• Zeta was founded in 2007 by David A. Steinberg and John Sculley and is headquartered in New York City with offices around the world

Company Specialties:

• CRM
• Email Marketing
• Display Advertising
• Cross-Channel Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Data Management
• Email Service Provider
• Analytics
• Data Warehousing
• Transactional Email
• Database Services
• AI
• Artificial Intelligence
• Customer Acquisition
• Prospect Acquisition
• Customer Data Platform
• Omnichannel Marketing
• Addressability
• Growth Marketing
• and Customer Retention

Company Website: http://www.zetaglobal.com

ASSUMPTION: Zeta Global is a well-established company in the marketing services industry, with a strong focus on AI and data-driven marketing solutions.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior

Reporting Structure: This role is responsible for leading a team of media planners and collaborating with cross-functional teams

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (T-W-TH in-office)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a leadership role within the media planning team
• Opportunities to work on high-impriority or complex opportunities
• Chance to develop skills in strategic planning, team management, and cross-functional collaboration

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the media planning team and across the organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (T-W-TH in-office)

Office Location(s): 3 Park Ave, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10016, US

Geographic Context:

• The role is based in New York City, a major hub for the marketing and advertising industry
• Zeta Global's headquarters is located in Midtown Manhattan, offering easy access to public transportation and various amenities
• The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and numerous dining and entertainment options

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (T-W-TH in-office)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring regular in-office collaboration and team building.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with a senior leader or executive

Key Assessment Areas:

• Media planning skills and experience
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Leadership and team management capabilities

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant media planning experience and achievements in your resume
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and Zeta Global's mission
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on media planning, team management, and cross-functional collaboration

ATS Keywords: Media Planning, Digital Advertising, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Client Communication, RFP Development, Data Analysis, Excel, PowerPoint, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Problem Solving, Campaign Metrics, Online Advertising Trends, Creativity, Fast-Paced Environment

ASSUMPTION: Zeta Global uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Media planning software (e.g., MediaMind, Nielsen, comScore)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant media planning software and project management tools is beneficial for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Achieve the Impossible
• Customer-Centric
• Collaborative
• Driven

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Focused on driving measurable results

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
• Are you comfortable managing shifting priorities and tight timelines?
• Do you have a proven track record of driving measurable results through media planning?

ASSUMPTION: Zeta Global values candidates who are comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and have a strong track record of driving measurable results.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team with varying levels of experience and expertise
• Balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution
• Navigating shifting priorities and tight timelines
• Working in a hybrid environment, which may require more intentional communication and collaboration

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a focus on driving measurable results.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other media planning positions in its focus on driving strategic planning and winning business through RFP responses
• Zeta Global's focus on AI and data-driven marketing sets it apart from other marketing services companies
• Career paths in media planning can vary, but this role offers opportunities for growth within the team and across the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and team management, with opportunities for career growth and development.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive media plan for a major brand launch, including channel mix, targeting, and messaging strategies
• Creating a custom RFP response for a potential client, demonstrating Zeta Global's unique value proposition and tailored media planning approach
• Managing a team project to optimize a client's media mix and improve campaign performance

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic planning, hands-on execution, and team management aspects of the role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the media planning team currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams, such as Sales, Marketing, Strategy, and Analytics?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the media planning team and across the organization?
• How does Zeta Global support work-life balance for employees working in a hybrid environment?
• What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?

ASSUMPTION: These questions can help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://zetaglobal.com/jobs/jobs-at-zeta-global?gh_jid=5550722004
• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant media planning experience and achievements
• Write a cover letter demonstrating your understanding of the role and Zeta Global's mission
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on media planning, team management, and cross-functional collaboration
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.