Strategic Planner at Publicis Groupe

Overview

• The Strategic Planner at Zenith is responsible for developing insight-driven, audience-first media plans across ATL and digital channels, translating client business objectives into compelling, connected plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
• This role sits at the heart of the planning process, synthesising consumer, category, and competitive intelligence to inform strategic media recommendations across the full funnel.
• The Strategic Planner works closely with the strategists to bring plans to life, ensuring ideas are grounded in data, relevant to the audience, and aligned to client objectives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Media Planning

• Develop integrated media plans across ATL and digital channels, grounded in consumer insight and category understanding
• Translate client business objectives into clear channel plans with defined audience targets, reach and frequency goals, and measurable KPIs
• Apply audience-first and data-led planning principles across all channel investment recommendations
• Write compelling, well-reasoned strategic rationales and media briefs that communicate the “why” behind channel, format, and timing decisions
• Leverage data signals, platform insights, and syndicated research to strengthen targeting, sequencing, and channel selection
• Ensure all recommendations are clearly linked to client business objectives and measurable outcomes

Client Engagement & Collaboration

• Support senior leads in building trusted client relationships through well-prepared, insight-led strategy presentations
• Actively contribute to client briefs, strategy sessions, and planning reviews with well-structured thinking and clear recommendations

Collaborate with channel planning and buying teams to ensure strategic intent is accurately reflected in execution, including:

• Accuracy of media plans, flowplans, and channel briefs
• Alignment between strategy and channel execution across all touchpoints
• Consistent quality of outputs presented to clients
• Proactively flag risks, gaps, or inconsistencies between strategy and plan delivery
• Maintain high standards of attention to detail and quality across all deliverables
• Manage timelines and stakeholder communications effectively to keep campaigns on track

Audience, Data & Insight

• Champion audience-first thinking and apply it consistently across plans
• Use audience segmentation and consumer journey frameworks to inform channel selection
• Partner with analytics and data teams to build richer audience understanding and strengthen measurement frameworks
• Embed data-informed thinking into every stage of the planning process, from brief interpretation through to campaign evaluation

Planning Craft & Executional Quality

• Produce well-structured, polished planning outputs including channel rationales, media briefs, audience frameworks, and budget recommendations
• Ensure accuracy and consistency across all planning documentation, from flowplans and media schedules through to post-campaign reports
• Support budget management, investment tracking, and financial reconciliation in coordination with planning leads
• Continuously improve planning processes and templates to raise the quality and efficiency of strategy outputs
• Operate in accordance with Zenith and Publicis Media planning standards, workflows, and governance frameworks

Performance, Learning & Growth

• Monitor and evaluate campaign performance against defined KPIs, translating results into actionable learnings and strategic recommendations
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve media effectiveness, channel synergy, and return on investment
• Build expertise across media channels, platforms, and planning methodologies through continuous learning
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing, case study development, and agency capability building

Collaboration & Team Contribution

• Work collaboratively across strategy, ATL planning, and digital planning/buying teams to deliver cohesive campaign plans
• Actively develop skills across both traditional and digital media disciplines to become a well-rounded planner
• Bring energy, curiosity, and accountability to every project, contributing positively to team culture
• Seek feedback actively and apply it to raise the quality and impact of your work over time

Curiosity & Innovation

• Stay curious about category trends, consumer behaviour, and media platform evolution across ATL and digital
• Bring proactive ideas that leverage data, technology, and emerging media environments to strengthen client strategies
• Support test-and-learn initiatives and contribute findings that improve planning quality across the team
• Contribute to Zenith credentials, pitches, and case studies as opportunities arise

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in media planning
• Experience across FMCG, retail, or multi-brand client environments is advantageous
• Solid grounding in both ATL and digital media planning principles
• Working knowledge of media ecosystems across TV, radio, OOH, search, social, programmatic, and video
• Familiarity with data-led planning approaches, audience frameworks, and consumer insight tools
• Attention to detail with an ability to manage multiple deliverables accurately and to deadline
• Comfortable working within a collaborative, cross-functional agency environment
• Strong communication skills with an ability to articulate strategic thinking clearly and confidently

Additional information

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Connects consumer insight, category data, and media logic into clear, compelling strategies
• Audience Intelligence: Uses data, signals, and insight to place the right message with the right person at the right time
• Craft & Precision: Takes pride in the quality, accuracy, and clarity of every output
• Curiosity & Growth Mindset: Actively seeks to learn, improve, and bring fresh thinking to client challenges
• Client Focus: Understands what clients need and contributes to building confidence through well-reasoned, consistent work
• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and disciplines, leveraging the Power of One

Success Measures

• Delivery of well-reasoned, insight-driven media plans that clearly address client briefs
• Positive feedback from senior leads and clients on the quality and clarity of planning outputs
• Consistent accuracy, attention to detail, and on-time delivery across all planning documentation
• Demonstrated growth in strategic capability, channel knowledge, and planning confidence over time
• Active contribution to team culture, knowledge sharing, and collaborative ways of working