📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Media Planning (Austin)
🔹 Company: Dentsu
🔹 Location: Austin, Texas, United States (Remote/Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 6+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Austin or Seattle)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Setting the strategic direction for the media planning team
- Leading the development and execution of media plans
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of the media landscape.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide and guide strategic input for all media plans, internally and externally
✅ Accountable for media plan output, accuracy, and overall excellence
✅ Demonstrate ability to use resources (syndicated, proprietary, analyst data) to help guide client's marketing goals and apply to recommendations
✅ Work with activation department leads to outline appropriate processes and timelines
✅ Understand and adopt new techniques and technologies that are relevant for clients' media strategies
✅ Be the central contact across investment, strategy, and analytics teams
✅ Build trusting, collaborative relationships with clients at appropriate levels
✅ Represent the client's point of view when reviewing work, use this perspective when providing feedback to team and presenting to client
✅ Ability to work with large teams – directly and indirectly with junior talent and internally across departments
✅ Provide and discuss industry information on media, markets and related dynamics
✅ Construct and deliver accurate, honest performance management documents
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, project management, and analytical skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field
Experience: 6+ years of integrated media planning experience, preferably within B2B or fintech
Required Skills:
- Proven experience developing tactical campaigns for digital channels
- Experience managing a team of planners
- Knowledge of current trends and innovations in media and culture
- Knowledge of insights tools such as MRI and Simmons and tools like Nielsen Ad Intel and/or Kantar Stradegy
- Experience with MediaTools and buying platforms such as DDS, MediaOcean, HudsonMX
- Understanding of DCM, and other digital media related tools (comScore, eMarketer, Forrester…)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with B2B or fintech clients
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in B2B or fintech and additional language skills may have an advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $68,000 - $110,400 per year (Based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401k
- Flexible paid time off
- At least 15 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick and safe leave
- Paid parental leave
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 1901 (As Dentsu Inc.)
Company Description:
- Dentsu is a global media, creative, and digital marketing agency
- Offers a wide range of services, including media planning, buying, and strategy
- Committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations
Company Specialties:
- Marketing communications
- Advertising
- Media planning and buying
- People-Based Marketing
- Creative
- Innovation
- Data and Technology
Company Website: dentsu.com
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu is a large, global agency with a wide range of services and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior level
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Director of Media Planning
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office, with the rest of the time remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to move into a senior director role
- Opportunities to work on diverse client accounts
- Chance to develop leadership and mentoring skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces
Office Location(s): Austin, Texas, and Seattle, Washington
Geographic Context:
- Austin: Vibrant tech hub with a growing job market and a high quality of life
- Seattle: Tech-centric city with a diverse economy and a strong job market
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: Both Austin and Seattle offer vibrant, tech-driven environments with strong job markets and a high quality of life.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the senior director and other team members
- Final interview with the regional director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Media planning and buying expertise
- Leadership and team management skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions
- Research the company and industry trends to show your enthusiasm and knowledge
ATS Keywords: Media Planning, Digital Channels, Team Management, Client Relations, Strategic Input, Media Research, Performance Management, Industry Knowledge, Analytical Skills, Collaboration, Process Management, Technology Adoption, Campaign Development, Insights Tools, Media Tools, Communication
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and media planning expertise.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- MediaTools
- Buying platforms (DDS, MediaOcean, HudsonMX)
- DCM and other digital media related tools (comScore, eMarketer, Forrester…)
- Insights tools (MRI, Simmons, Nielsen Ad Intel, Kantar Stradegy)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and platforms is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Courage
- Excellence
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and strategic
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment?
- Are you comfortable working with data and using it to inform strategic decisions?
- Can you adapt to change and respond to new challenges quickly?
- Do you hold yourself accountable for delivering results and meeting high standards?
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu values a collaborative, data-driven, and adaptable work style, with a strong focus on integrity and excellence.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team of planners and ensuring high-quality output
- Balancing client needs and agency profitability
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing media landscape
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and managing remote team members
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, project management, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other media planning roles, this position offers more strategic input and leadership responsibilities
- Within the advertising industry, Dentsu is known for its data-driven approach and commitment to innovation
- Career progression may involve moving into a senior director role or exploring opportunities in other areas of the agency
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique strategic and leadership opportunities within the media planning field.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive media plan for a B2B client, including digital and traditional channels
- Conducting market research and analyzing data to inform strategic media recommendations
- Managing a team of planners to execute a large-scale media campaign
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, analytical, and leadership skills required for this 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 departments and teams within the agency?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the agency?
- How does Dentsu support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in the role, the team, and the company's culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and company
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions
- Research the company and industry trends to show your enthusiasm and knowledge
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
