- Job Title: Client Manager, Media Planning
- Company: Carat (dentsu)
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
- Category: Media Planning
- Date Posted: May 8, 2025
- Experience Level: 2-5 years
- Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing client relationships and media campaigns
- Developing channel plans across traditional and digital media
- Collaborating with teams to ensure campaign success
- Analyzing campaign performance and optimizing against KPIs
- Staying updated on market developments and industry trends
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of client management, strategic planning, and operational tasks, requiring a balance of strong communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Client Management: Cultivate and grow positive working relationships with clients, agency partners, and suppliers.
- Media Channel Planning: Lead channel planning activities for client portfolios, both offline and digital.
- Campaign Management: Oversee campaign setup, activations, reporting, and insights; prepare client presentations.
- Performance Analysis: Monitor campaign performance, optimize against KPIs, and ensure alignment with client objectives.
- Market Knowledge: Maintain knowledge of market developments, platforms, best practices, and tools across the Australian media landscape.
- Budget Management: Maintain financial responsibility for client budgets and overall financial acumen of campaigns.
- Team Management: Assist in recruitment, performance reviews, training, and onboarding as needed.
- Continuous Learning: Develop understanding of the evolving AU and global media and advertising landscape.
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a combination of strategic thinking, data analysis, and project management skills to excel in various aspects of media planning and client management.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field.
- Experience: 2-5 years of experience in media planning across digital and traditional media channels.
- Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of the Australian media and advertising marketplace
- Proactive communication and stakeholder management skills
- Data-driven insights and business acumen
- Leadership skills with a willingness to learn and impart knowledge
- Tech and data savvy with problem-solving abilities
- Commercial awareness and attention to detail
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with media planning tools and platforms
- Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Knowledge of a second language (advantageous but not required)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong foundation in media planning, coupled with excellent communication and analytical skills, will be well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: AUD 80,000 - 120,000 per annum (based on experience and market rates)
- Benefits:
- Flexible work policy ('Be the Best You')
- 5 weeks annual leave after 2 years of service
- 3 mental health awareness days off per year
- Career development and learning opportunities
- Discounts on health insurance, gym membership, car buying, and travel
- Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (flexible with 'Be the Best You' policy)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market rates for media planning roles in Sydney, Australia, with consideration for the candidate's experience level.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Advertising Services
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees (global)
- Founded: 1901 (as a holding company)
- Company Description: dentsu is a global media, creative, and cultural agency designed for what's next. They help brands predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities and create new paths to growth in the sustainable economy.
- Company Specialties: Marketing communications, advertising, media planning, media buying, people-based marketing, creative, innovation, data, and technology.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and leadership development
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Group Business Director
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a flexible work policy ('Be the Best You')
- Growth Opportunities: Potential to progress into senior roles, such as Senior Client Manager or Group Business Director, or explore other areas within dentsu's diverse service offerings.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a blend of client management and strategic planning responsibilities, providing an opportunity for career growth and leadership development within dentsu's global network.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace in Sydney's CBD
- Office Location: 10 Triton Street, Regents Place, London, NW1 3BF, GB (global headquarters)
- Geographic Context: Sydney is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving advertising industry and a high cost of living.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The role's hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different work preferences and promoting work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Online application → Phone/Video screen → In-person or video interview with hiring manager → Final interview with senior leadership
- Key Assessment Areas: Cultural fit, communication skills, media planning knowledge, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Showcase your understanding of the Australian media landscape and dentsu's unique selling points
- Prepare examples of your data-driven insights and campaign optimizations
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media planning and buying platforms (e.g., MediaOcean, Adform, The Trade Desk)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: dentsu's values include 'Be the Best You,' 'One dentsu,' 'Innovation,' 'Integrity,' and 'Inclusion.'
- Work Style: dentsu fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and flexible work environment, encouraging employees to bring their whole selves to work.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody 'Be the Best You' in your daily work?
- How have you demonstrated 'One dentsu' in previous roles or projects?
- How do you approach continuous learning and innovation in your work?
ASSUMPTION: dentsu's culture emphasizes individuality, collaboration, and continuous learning, making it an attractive choice for candidates seeking a dynamic and inclusive work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple clients and campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving media landscape, necessitating continuous learning and adaptation
- Balancing client expectations with internal team dynamics and resource constraints
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Client Manager (Media Planning) vs. Senior Client Manager: The Senior Client Manager role involves more strategic decision-making, team leadership, and new business development, while the Client Manager role focuses more on day-to-day campaign management and client servicing.
- Media Planning vs. Media Buying: Media Planning involves strategic channel selection and campaign optimization, while Media Buying focuses on negotiating and executing media placements and ensuring campaign delivery.
- Carat (dentsu) vs. Other Media Agencies: Carat offers a global network, diverse service offerings, and a strong focus on innovation and data-driven insights. Other media agencies may have different specializations, sizes, or cultural dynamics.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a cross-channel media strategy for a new client launch, incorporating both traditional and digital media channels
- Optimizing an underperforming campaign by analyzing data, identifying trends, and implementing strategic adjustments
- Managing a team to execute a large-scale event campaign, involving multiple stakeholders and complex logistics
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, analytical, and project management aspects of the role, showcasing the diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by a Client Manager in media planning.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within it?
- How does Carat support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Carat approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how has the previous incumbent addressed them?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help applicants better understand the role's dynamics, the company's culture, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the [dentsu careers page](https://dentsuaegis.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/DAN_GLOBAL)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your data-driven insights and campaign optimizations
- Follow up with the hiring manager after one week if you haven't heard back
- Be prepared to provide references and complete a background check if requested
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
