Associate Director, Media Planning

Location: New York, NY — Hybrid

Employment Type: Freelance / Contract

Duration: Through approximately end of year

Schedule: Full-time

Pay Rate: $53 - $59

Position Overview: A leading global media and advertising organization is seeking an Associate Director, Media Planning to support a large, integrated consumer account. This individual will join a collaborative planning team responsible for developing omnichannel media strategies, managing client relationships, and coordinating across investment, social, analytics, measurement, and other specialty teams. The ideal candidate brings strong agency-side media planning experience, particularly across digital and integrated channels, and is comfortable stepping into a fast-moving account where priorities can shift quickly. This role requires someone who can operate strategically while remaining close to the day-to-day work, provide guidance to junior team members, and translate client needs into clear, actionable media direction.

Key Responsibilities: Lead and support the development of integrated, omnichannel media plans across digital, paid social, TV, audio, and content/partnership channels. Serve as a key client-facing planning partner, helping translate business objectives and client requests into actionable media strategies. Partner across Investment, Social, Analytics, Measurement, and other specialty teams to coordinate planning and execution. Review media plans, recommendations, competitive insights, and presentations for strategic alignment and quality. Translate media data and competitive intelligence into clear, client-friendly insights and recommendations. Manage changing priorities, timelines, and deliverables across a fast-paced account environment. Provide guidance and day-to-day support to Managers and junior planning team members. Participate in client meetings and confidently communicate media strategy, recommendations, and next steps. Identify potential challenges or gaps and proactively work with internal partners to resolve them. Quickly integrate into an established team and provide hands-on support across active projects and deliverables.

Required Qualifications: Strong professional experience in media planning within an agency environment. Demonstrated experience developing digital and omnichannel media strategies. Strong understanding of the media planning process from strategy through execution. Experience working directly with clients and presenting media recommendations. Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and changing priorities simultaneously. Experience collaborating with cross-functional media disciplines and specialty teams. Strong communication, presentation, organization, and stakeholder-management skills. Ability to interpret media performance and competitive insights and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Experience providing direction or mentorship to Managers, Associates, or other junior team members. Comfortable joining an established account and becoming productive with minimal ramp-up.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting CPG or consumer-focused brands. Experience with TV/video planning in addition to digital media. Familiarity with competitive media intelligence and planning tools such as Nielsen Media Impact or similar platforms. Previous experience successfully completing freelance or contract assignments within an agency environment. Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available to qualified candidates who meet eligibility requirements