Planning Manager

Company Description

 

As part of Publicis Groupe, we unleash the power of creativity, data, and media to deliver personalized experiences at scale. We have one of the most robust data sets in the industry and world-class marketplace connections and buying scale. You can’t escape it.

Our moment is as complex as it’s ever been. An era of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it that’s always whizzing, scrolling, streaming by. And it’s not slowing down.

Yet instead of staying connected — moving people with real human insight — marketers feel even more disconnected. Frantically optimizing with only the next few minutes in mind. Trying to solve this ever-evolving puzzle with a short-term focus.

Instead of pioneering an ever-expanding universe . . .

. . . And all the creative solutions that await us.

At Starcom, it’s never scared us when the kaleidoscope of marketing added another shiny mirror. We’ve seen this as an opportunity since Leo Burnett first reached his hands to the stars. To move the brands we support every day by truly knowing the real people who support them. Responsibly unlocking possibilities across new channels, new technologies, new data opportunities, and beyond.

It’s our opportunity to pioneer the next new world for your business. And to prove that media . . . is always the message. We know the next ten years will look a lot different. So will the ten after that. That’s where our expertise comes in to explore and decipher it all alongside you. Our people help you navigate what’s next, moving your business forward to the future by moving your customers forward today.

These days it’s no longer what you shout from the mountaintops. It takes true insight to move people at the human level — in a powerful, lasting way.

Because how you move people moves your business for good

Job Description

12-Month Fixed-Term Contract Starting from October 

 

We're looking for an experienced Planning Manager to join Starcom on a 12-month fixed-term contract, working across one of the world's most recognised and beloved consumer brands. 

 

This is an opportunity to work on campaigns that genuinely capture attention, spark engagement and influence culture. You'll be part of a collaborative team responsible for bringing integrated media strategies to life across a diverse mix of channels and touchpoints, partnering with specialists across planning, investment, digital and strategy. 

 

If you're passionate about the craft of media planning and enjoy translating insight into action, this role offers the chance to work on large-scale campaigns with real visibility, significant impact and the backing of one of the industry's leading agencies. 

 

You'll gain exposure to premium partnerships, innovative media thinking and integrated campaign development, all while working alongside some of the best talent in the business. 

 

Role Purpose

 

The Planning Manager is responsible for client delivery and implementation planning. Working closely with senior planning leadership, you will develop communication strategies through audience insights, channel planning and market analysis. 

You will be accountable for ensuring planning recommendations align to client objectives, deliver against KPIs and provide innovative solutions to business challenges. 

 

Client Leadership 

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key client stakeholders. 

• Lead day-to-day client communications and planning discussions. 

• Present recommendations confidently both internally and externally. 

• Ensure planning outputs align with client objectives and success measures. 

• Support senior leadership in translating client priorities into actionable plans. 

• Provide proactive media and market insights that support client growth. 

Communications Planning 

• Develop integrated communication plans across digital and offline channels. 

• Translate client briefs into clear, strategic media responses. 

• Conduct audience, channel and environment analysis. 

• Create innovative planning solutions that deliver measurable results. 

• Work closely with strategy, investment and activation teams to ensure seamless delivery. 

• Contribute to best-in-class planning standards across the agency. 

Campaign Delivery 

• Oversee campaign planning and implementation across multiple workstreams. 

• Ensure all planning documentation and deliverables meet quality standards. 

• Lead internal briefing processes and support cross-functional collaboration. 

• Maintain operational excellence throughout campaign delivery. 

• Manage timelines, priorities and stakeholder expectations effectively. 

Team Leadership 

• Manage and support Account Executives and Coordinators. 

• Provide guidance, coaching and day-to-day support. 

• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

• Encourage innovation, problem-solving and professional development. 

• Support a positive and inclusive team environment. 

Commercial Management 

• Support accurate planning, forecasting and budget management. 

• Ensure media plans are delivered accurately and efficiently. 

• Oversee relevant financial and operational processes. 

• Understand the commercial implications of planning recommendations. 

• Promote broader agency capabilities and specialist services where appropriate. 

 

Skills & Experience 

• Proven experience within a media agency planning function. 

• Strong communications planning capability across integrated media channels. 

• Experience managing client relationships and stakeholder expectations. 

• Strong presenter with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members. 

• Strong attention to detail and organisational capability. 

• Experience working within cross-functional teams. 

Technical Skills 

• Strong Microsoft Excel capability. 

• Confident user of PowerPoint and presentation development tools. 

• Experience using industry-standard planning and audience tools. 

• Ability to analyse data and turn insights into actionable recommendations. 

• Comfortable managing multiple projects and competing priorities. 

 

 

#LI-FD1

Additional Information

Publicis Groupe benefits: Be a part of the Publicis Groupe family, recent winner of the Employer of Choice Awards and one of the world's most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses. You can learn more about us at www.publicisgroupeanz.com.

Enjoy all the perks that come with our network offering:

• A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting physical, mindful, and financial wellbeing.
• A creative, lively, and rewarding office environment where people love working with each other, supported by our Publicis Liberté flexibility approach — "working your way with us."
• Access to our Global AI Platform Marcel, connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network.
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform, Marcel Classes.
• A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program.
• A committed Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva Women, Égalité, enABLE, EmbRACE, and Écologique committees.
• Leave benefits including Birthday Leave, Flexible Public Holidays, and an additional 5 days of leave after 2 years of service.
• Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year.
• Parental leave policy with up to 18 weeks based on tenure, paid primary carer leave, secondary carer swap, and Cub Care leave.
• Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder, an all-in-one digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs.
• A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life-threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge: https://workingwithcancerpledge.com/
• Proud partners of Diversity Council Australia, Pride in Diversity, Family Friendly Workplaces, Supply Nation, and the Australian Disability Network.

If you don't tick every box in this ad, please don't rule yourself out. Research suggests that women and other people in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We focus on hiring people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness, and integrity rather than ticking boxes — so if this role resonates with you, please apply.

 

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words; these are part of our DNA. At Publicis Groupe, we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge, and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions.

 

Uniqueness is powerful; without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. So be you — we like it that way.

 

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process. If you need any assistance or adjustments, please contact us via recruitmentpublicisgroupe.com; your personal information will be kept confidential.