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