📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Integrated Media Planning
🔹 Company: Spectrum Science
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-02
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading media planning, negotiation, and optimization processes
- Driving organic growth of media solutions within the client base
- Managing and mentoring a cross-functional team of media planners and optimizers
- Collaborating with internal account and subject matter expert teams to develop strategic brand plans with integrated media
- Staying up-to-date with emerging trends, technologies, and paid media opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, able to manage teams and drive growth through effective media planning and execution.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive organic growth of media solutions within the client base
✅ Lead media solutions for new business pitches
✅ Manage, mentor, and grow a cross-functional team of media planners and optimizers
✅ Develop and document team processes and best practices
✅ Lead the media planning, negotiation, and deployment, and optimization process for assigned clients from beginning to end
✅ Identify and procure or conduct research on media consumption and trends for target audiences
✅ Develop media strategies that directly address client objectives
✅ Directly and through junior staff manage media schedules, budget reconciliation, develop and send RFPs to identified media partners
✅ Critically evaluate and compare RFP responses and negotiate added value while building and maintaining high trust and respect relationships with external media partners
✅ Work with internal account and subject matter expert teams to collaboratively develop strategic brand plans with integrated media
✅ Assist project management and account teams with estimation of paid media projects and retainers
✅ Develop and nurture relationships with key media partners and stay on top of emerging trends, technologies, and paid media opportunities
✅ Educate internal teams on the media planning process, deliverables, timelines, and help upskill broad agency paid media proficiency
✅ Plan across all paid media channels from digital channels like display, native, search, and social, to traditional channels like print and OOH, as well as video and audio advertising
✅ Show a collaborative, flexible, and solution-oriented working style and be prepared to roll up your sleeves when a hands-on approach is needed
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field
Experience: Minimum 6 years planning experience within the agency environment, with a strong background in healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising. Management experience and proficiency in digital advertising platforms are also required.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in traditional and offline channel planning
- Strong fluency in sponsored content and endemic direct buys within the healthcare space
- Minimum 4 years’ experience with pharmaceutical advertising
- Management experience
- Understanding of digital advertising platforms including Google Ads, Facebook Ad Manager, Programmatic DSPs, and other relevant media platforms
- Experience with campaign management, ad serving, and viewability/fraud prevention technology
- Working knowledge of third-party media research and competitive monitoring tools
- Working knowledge of Google Analytics
- Excellent presentation and deck building skills
- Able to travel to meet client and agency needs
- Ability to work autonomously while also being a strong relationship builder
- Strong attention to detail
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with media planning software (e.g., MediaMind, MediaOcean)
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in healthcare advertising, with experience in both traditional and digital media planning. Management experience and proficiency in digital advertising platforms are essential for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $125,000 - $155,000 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401k with Company Match
- Wellness Benefits
- Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement
- Sabbatical Program
- Continuous Learning and Development
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the industry and experience level required. Benefits are designed to support work-life balance and professional development.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services, specializing in healthcare and science communications
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 2001
Company Description:
- Spectrum Science is a fully integrated strategic platform hyper-focused on science
- They offer a range of services, including Communications, Clinical Trial Experience, Advertising, Consulting, Media, and Medical Communications
- Spectrum Science is the US partner and chair of Global Health Marketing & Communications (GHMC), the largest independent network of health and science communications agencies worldwide
Company Specialties:
- Corporate & Employee Communications
- Issues/Crisis Management
- Digital Strategy
- Educational Campaigns
- Public Affairs
- Event Management
- Public Speaking Training
- Thought Leadership
- Sustainability Programs
Company Website: http://www.spectrumscience.com/
ASSUMPTION: Spectrum Science is a well-established company with a strong focus on healthcare and science communications. Their size allows for a diverse range of opportunities and a well-developed infrastructure to support employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level position with significant responsibilities and team management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Media or a similar senior role within the organization
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with flexibility to work remotely or on-site as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a leadership role within the media department or take on additional responsibilities across the organization
- Opportunities to grow and develop skills through mentorship, training, and working on diverse projects
- Possibility to expand the role's scope based on the company's growth and evolving needs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and take on additional responsibilities as the company continues to grow.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta
Office Location(s):
- 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20006
- 250 Vesey Street, Suite 2630, New York, NY 10281
- 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 223, Atlanta, GA 30308
- 71 S Wacker Dr, Suite 1820, Chicago, Illinois 60606
Geographic Context:
- Access to major cities and cultural attractions
- Proximity to healthcare and science industry hubs
- Opportunities for travel and remote work
Work Schedule: Flexible, with core hours and the ability to work remotely as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work environment offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to work from various locations and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and skills-based interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Media planning and negotiation expertise
- Industry-specific knowledge and trends
- Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving
- Showcase your industry knowledge and understanding of healthcare advertising trends
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment
ATS Keywords: Media Planning, Integrated Media, Healthcare Advertising, Pharmaceutical Advertising, Team Leadership, Digital Advertising, Campaign Management, Negotiation, Strategic Thinking, Media Research, Google Ads, Facebook Ad Manager, Programmatic DSPs, Google Analytics
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, and industry-specific knowledge. Preparation should include researching the company, industry trends, and practicing problem-solving scenarios.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media planning software (e.g., MediaMind, MediaOcean)
- Digital advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ad Manager, Programmatic DSPs)
- Campaign management and ad serving tools (e.g., Google Campaign Manager, Adobe Advertising Cloud)
- Media research and monitoring tools (e.g., Nielsen, Kantar, comScore)
- Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and platforms is essential for this role. Candidates should be comfortable learning and utilizing new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Expertise
- Innovation
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Strategic and solutions-focused
- Results-driven and accountable
- Continuously learning and improving
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the company's core values?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in a project or work environment?
- How do you approach strategic planning and problem-solving in a team setting?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to negotiate a complex deal or manage a difficult stakeholder?
- How do you ensure the quality and accuracy of your work, especially when managing multiple projects or teams?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style, with a focus on collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and teams simultaneously
- Keeping up with industry trends and emerging technologies
- Balancing client needs with internal team dynamics
- Navigating a hybrid work environment and managing remote team members
- Dealing with tight deadlines and high-pressure situations
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to managing multiple projects, staying current with industry trends, and balancing client needs with internal team dynamics. Candidates should be prepared to handle these challenges effectively and maintain a positive work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Media Planner or Media Director in other advertising agencies, but with a focus on healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a strong background in both traditional and digital media planning, as well as management experience
- This role may have more responsibility for driving organic growth and new business development compared to similar roles in other agencies
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other media planning positions, its focus on healthcare advertising and requirement for management experience make it unique. Candidates should be prepared to leverage their industry-specific knowledge and leadership skills to succeed in this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive media strategy for a new pharmaceutical product launch, including both traditional and digital channels
- Managing a team to optimize an existing campaign's performance, resulting in a 20% increase in ROI
- Negotiating a complex media buy with a major publisher, securing additional value and ensuring a successful campaign
- Conducting market research to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the healthcare advertising landscape
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from strategic planning and execution to optimization and negotiation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and how it translates to these project requirements.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the media department?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the healthcare advertising industry, and how does the company plan to address them?
- How does the company measure the success of its media campaigns, and what tools do they use to track performance?
- Can you provide an example of a time when the company pivoted its strategy in response to market changes or client feedback?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the work environment, company culture, and strategic priorities, allowing them to make an informed decision about the role and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving
- Research the company, industry trends, and practice problem-solving scenarios
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
