Senior Planner, Media Planning & Strategy

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Planner, Media Planning & Strategy

🔹 Company: Future Publishing

🔹 Location: New York, United States (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Media & Communications

🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic media planning for Women’s Lifestyle vertical accounts
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to build integrated content strategies
• Supporting sales team in client management and deal closure
• Market expertise in native and display advertising
• Optimizing media plans to meet client goals and drive business growth

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the digital media landscape, with a focus on native and display advertising. Candidates should have experience building media plans and be comfortable communicating with clients.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Build media plans across scalable budgets, integrating custom content, social media, and 360 integrated content mix

✅ Partner with sales, integrated marketing, branded content, social strategy, and influencer teams to create strategic media plans

✅ Maintain understanding of Future’s Women’s Lifestyle business offerings, rate card, and site capabilities

✅ Support sales team in client and deal management throughout the pre-sale process

✅ Track pipelines and process deals within CRM and OMS systems

✅ Communicate and engage with clients using sales tactics from RFP through deal close

✅ Collaborate with ad operations team to inform planning strategy

✅ Stay updated on marketplace dynamics and industry trends

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, client communication, and sales support. Candidates should be comfortable working with various teams and managing client relationships.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: 4+ years in media planning/account management

Required Skills:

• Proven experience building media plans
• Proficiency in CRM and OMS
• Understanding of rates types and performance metrics within digital media landscape
• Experience media planning for native content
• Knowledge of ad specs and third-party tracking capabilities
• Strong communication and engagement skills with clients

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with event planning and influencer engagement
• Budget management skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a solid background in media planning and be comfortable using relevant tools and platforms. Experience with native content and client communication is essential.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $62,000 - $90,000 (USD) per year

Benefits:

• Uncapped leave
• Profit share bonus
• Referral rewards
• Wellbeing support
• Share incentive plan

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a Senior Planner role in the New York area. Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on employment status.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Media & Communications. Future Publishing is a global leader in specialist media, with over 200 brands and 3,000 employees worldwide.

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees. As a mid-sized company, Future offers a mix of structure and growth opportunities.

Founded: 1985. Future has a rich history in publishing and has evolved to become a global media platform.

Company Description:

• Global leader in specialist media
• Over 200 phenomenal brands across various niches
• Reaches 1 in 3 adults online in the UK and the US
• Innovative technology and diverse audience platforms

Company Specialties:

• Magazines
• Events
• B2C and B2B content
• Content marketing
• eCommerce
• Technology
• Gaming
• Entertainment
• Home interest
• Knowledge
• Music
• Media
• Content creation
• Websites
• Social media
• Video
• Digital
• Fashion
• Advertising

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

ASSUMPTION: Future Publishing is a well-established company with a diverse portfolio of brands. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, global media environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role is suitable for experienced media planners looking to advance their careers in a strategic capacity.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Media Planning Manager and collaborates with various teams, including sales, integrated marketing, and ad operations.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role requires working three days from the office and two days from home.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential career progression into management or senior strategy roles
• Broad exposure to various teams and brands within the company
• Opportunities to develop skills in content strategy, event planning, and influencer engagement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities through exposure to diverse teams and brands, as well as potential career progression within the media planning and strategy function.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The office is located in New York, with remote work options available.

Office Location(s): New York, United States

Geographic Context:

• New York is a major media hub with numerous opportunities for industry networking and professional development
• The city offers a diverse cultural scene and vibrant lifestyle
• New York has a competitive job market, with many media and communications professionals

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and uncapped leave policy

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The New York location provides ample opportunities for professional growth and networking within the media industry.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the media planning team
• Final interview with the media planning manager or director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Media planning and strategy skills
• Client communication and engagement
• Industry knowledge and market trends
• Problem-solving and adaptability

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant media planning experience and achievements in your resume
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
• Prepare examples of media plans you’ve created and their outcomes
• Research recent industry trends and be prepared to discuss them in the interview

ATS Keywords: Media Planning, Digital Media, Native Advertising, Display Advertising, CRM, OMS, Performance Metrics, Ad Specs, Strategic Planning, Sales Support, Market Expertise, Content Strategy, Event Planning, Influencer Engagement, Budget Management

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess candidates’ media planning skills, industry knowledge, and communication abilities. Preparation should focus on demonstrating relevant experience and understanding of the role’s requirements.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• OMS (e.g., Adform, The Trade Desk)
• Media planning tools (e.g., Mediaocean, Strata)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant CRM, OMS, and media planning tools is essential for this role. Candidates should be comfortable learning and using new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Expertise
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Ambition
• Respect

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Cross-functional team collaboration
• Focus on strategic planning and problem-solving
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment?
• Are you comfortable managing client relationships and driving business growth?
• Do you have a strong understanding of the digital media landscape and market trends?

ASSUMPTION: Future Publishing values expertise, innovation, and collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic, cross-functional team environment and have a strong understanding of the digital media landscape.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple client relationships and media plans simultaneously
• Keeping up with the fast-paced, ever-evolving digital media landscape
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day sales support tasks
• Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity

ASSUMPTION: This role presents challenges related to managing multiple client relationships, staying current with industry trends, and balancing strategic planning with sales support tasks. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role focuses on strategic media planning for a specific vertical, whereas related roles may have a broader or more tactical focus
• Future Publishing is a global leader in specialist media, offering opportunities for exposure to diverse brands and teams
• Career progression in media planning and strategy roles may involve moving into management or senior strategy positions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a strategic focus within a specific vertical, providing opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse brands and teams. Career progression may involve moving into management or senior strategy positions.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive media plan for a new client launch, integrating custom content and social media strategies
• Optimizing an existing media plan to improve performance and drive business growth
• Collaborating with the sales team to create a tailored media strategy for a high-value client

ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve developing media plans, optimizing performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive business growth.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the overall media planning strategy for the Women’s Lifestyle vertical?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Future Publishing support the professional development of its media planning team?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
• How does the hybrid work arrangement support productivity and work-life balance?

ASSUMPTION: Interview questions should focus on understanding the role’s strategic focus, priorities, and growth opportunities, as well as addressing potential challenges and the hybrid work arrangement.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume to highlight relevant media planning experience and achievements
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
• Prepare examples of media plans you’ve created and their outcomes
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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