Group Director, Media Planning
*OPEN
Our client, a fast-growing performance marketing agency, is seeking a Group Director, Media Planning. They are setting a new standard in the Canadian advertising industry by prioritizing accountability, transparency, and employee empowerment. As an agency that empowers their people and values an entrepreneurial spirit, proactive problem-solving, and shared principles, they are looking for a candidate who embodies these qualities.
Located in Toronto's King West neighborhood, our client is a privately owned team of 40, led by a small leadership group with backgrounds from large advertising agency networks. Recognized as one of Canada's Top Growing companies by the Globe & Mail, they are experiencing rapid business growth and are making strategic hires to support their expansion. With physical headquarters in Toronto and an office near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, they operate on a permanent flexible hybrid-working model, prioritizing in-person time for essential monthly team meetings and client interactions.
As the Group Director, Media Planning, you will play a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the firm's Partners. Your focus will be on strategic oversight and leadership of the Media Planning division, contributing to the organization's overall goals and vision. Leading a team, you will ensure managers and team members are fully enabled through support, coaching, and training. Your responsibilities will encompass departmental team structuring, budget creation, client success, and personnel decisions.
Our client has developed a proprietary methodology for media planning and maximizing performance across vendor-managed media. As the Group Director, you will lead the department responsible for executing this innovative approach, equipping managers and team members with the direction and tools required for success. Your role will involve closely aligning the strategic direction of the division with the organization's goals, staying up-to-date with industry trends, ensuring operational excellence, and elevating traditional media planning practices.
Overall, the ideal candidate should be a strong leader with strategic thinking capabilities, digital media expertise, and the ability to drive operational excellence and mentorship within the media planning division. You should also possess a proactive and innovative mindset to identify growth opportunities and contribute to the agency’s overall success.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working closely with the Partners to align the strategic direction of this division within the organization’s goals and strategic priorities
Staying ahead of the curve with respect to industry trends and knowledge and applying this proficiency to the department
Owning the overall accountability for client success and KPI achievement within the media planning department
Oversee and ensure a high standard of excellence across media plans and client deliverables
Setting, monitoring and managing a standard of operational excellence within the department
Developing, elevating and raising the bar for traditional media planning practices
Building a department which allows managers to build up and develop both themselves and their teams by providing regular guidance, feedback and mentorship
Challenging and changing established practices within the department where their expertise suggests improvements may be made
Producing budgets and strategies, activating managers to make resourcing recommendations and participating in the final stages of the recruitment process
WHAT YOU BRING:
You have 10+ years of experience in digital media planning and buying, with a minimum of 5 years leading a team
You have advanced knowledge of media strategy & planning, contemporary channels/platforms, and relevant ad technology
You have a strength in planning and executing digitally, as we are digital-centric with more than 80% of media dollars spent in digital
You are an established leader who has proven that they can think about and contribute to the big picture and high-level strategic direction of an organization
You have the ability to mentor, grow and develop others within an organization, at all levels from management downward
You are able to establish and manage operational processes that ensure executional excellence and uphold a high standard of work
You have proven that you are able to identify growth opportunities in all elements of the business and can articulate and strategize plans to execute on them
BENEFITS:
Be part of an award-winning, Globe & Mail Top Growing Company.
Competitive compensation bands that are part of a strong total compensation package.
Top 1% benefit program of similar sized agencies including strong mental health coverage, major dental, annual health spending allowance, and more.
Permanent flexible hybrid-working model that allows for better work/life balance and control over your time.
Two great offices in Toronto and Ottawa with access to free coffee, snacks, and wellness rooms with massage chairs and treadmill desks.
Clear career levels and career review processes that were developed by a modern, industry-leading HR consulting firm.
Strong engagement and DEI within the organization. A team that is energetic, highly motivated, and inclusive.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, contact Ashley at ashley@ariagency.ca for more information.