Planning Director

We are seeking a Brand Planning Director to join our team!

Role:

The planning director is responsible for leading the strategic direction on a particular account, by partnering closely with the account and creative teams and by developing a deep and positive client relationship. This person will make sure our team is developing and acting upon business and consumer insights that are actionable and inspiring for both clients and internal teams.

Areas of Focus:

Provide Strategic Leadership:

• Manage the development of thoughtful strategic recommendations for clients
• Lead cross-functional integrated idea generation workshops for internal and client teams
• Assess multiple sources of client, market and consumer information and quickly translate them into clear and simply articulated strategic direction
• Develop and lead client presentations that are compelling, clear and actionable
• Ensure depth, quality and articulation of the strategic vision for our clients
• Work with senior members from each agency discipline to find unique and impactful opportunities for our clients
• Provide direction on how to convert data and observations into clear, actionable insights
• Maintain relationships with senior and executive agency staff - communicate project status and provide insight into organic growth potential
• Mentor junior team members by providing feedback on performance, guidance on work projects and identifying career development opportunities
• Contribute to new business initiatives by identifying creative opportunities and providing strategic direction to prospective clients

Manage Research Projects:

• Work with clients to determine research objectives and craft actionable learning agendas
• Supervise the development of research proposals and vendor selection
• Lead analysts and strategists on sophisticated research and strategy projects
• Oversee and approve target audience creation and insight development
• Demonstrate thought leadership for internal teams and clients by leading presentations on key trends and current events

Guide Brief Development:

• Manage the process of writing briefs and kicking off integrated teams on projects
• Provide input, direction and feedback on briefs and other strategy presentations
• Work with other teams to ensure clarity of message and action items
• Advise strategists on how to lead informative, inspiring creative briefings
• Ensure all briefs exceed expectations and are inspiring for cross-functional teams
• Become a trusted partner for senior team leaders in developing and refining creative ideas and campaigns
• Proactively work to elevate the quality of the agency’s creative product by making sure the planning team is collaborating with creative and consumer engagement teams to develop highly effective and progressive ideas

What We Believe:

We believe that when the best of strategy and creativity come together, brands stand apart.

Qualifications/Traits:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on psychology, sociology, anthropology, advertising, or related field or strong relevant experience.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• A minimum of 7+ years of planning or related business experience at a creative agency or working on creative brands. 
• Proven ability to work with creative teams. 
• Significant quantitative research experience and qualitative research experience (tracking studies, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographic research etc) with an ability to see and adapt insights. 
• Proven ability to work quickly and efficiently, meeting all deadlines and working with other agency teams to set realistic expectations. 
• Expert knowledge of presentation software (Keynote & PowerPoint) and Word. 
• Experience working with Simmons/MRI and syndicated research partners.

Our Hiring Philosophy:

Carmichael Lynch is committed to creating a diverse, safe and welcoming workplace with opportunity for all. We strive for inclusion, equity and diversity in both our words and actions. BIPOC, women, marginalized communities, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To learn more, please visit: https://www.carmichaellynch.com/about/

What’s In It for You:

• Professional Development (performance reviews 2x annually, training opportunities related to your field of development, one-on-ones with managers, etc.) 
• We offer competitive, equitable salaries (reviewed annually to ensure equity and competitiveness) 
• A strong, vibrant, continually-evolving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion belief (in thought and action), encompassing our agency and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Recognizing the voices that need to be heard. 
• Competitive, company and employee sponsored benefits, including: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k (company matched 50% of first 6%), PTO (vacation/sick time) allowance, 12-week maternity leave, 6-week parental leave, 20 paid company holidays, Family Building Benefit (adoption, surrogacy benefit), tuition reimbursement and much more.