Media Planning Manager

Colony Agency Australia; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 days work from home

Wellbeing allowance

Mental health support through EAP

Study assistance and professional dev.

Brand work across Australia & PNG

Job summary

Colony Group is seeking a Media Planning Manager to shape integrated media strategies across Australia and Papua New Guinea. You’ll turn briefs into smart plans, work with creative and digital teams, and build strong relationships with media owners to deliver measurable results.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, data-driven insights, and hands-on execution across TV, radio, digital, social and programmatic channels. Hybrid work and growth opportunities available in Brisbane and PNG markets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of media agency experience with integrated media planning and buying.
• Solid understanding of traditional and digital media including TV, radio, outdoor, print, social, search and programmatic.
• Strategic thinker who can balance big picture with attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills turning audience data and insights into clear media recommendations.
• Experience managing media budgets, negotiating with suppliers and delivering campaigns end-to-end.

Responsibilities

• Develop smart, integrated media strategies and plans across traditional, digital and emerging channels.
• Turn client briefs and business objectives into media recommendations with real results.
• Lead media planning across a diverse portfolio of clients in Australia and PNG.
• Collaborate with creative, strategy, digital and account teams to embed media in the big idea.
• Build relationships with media owners and platforms to unlock opportunities.
• Manage budgets, schedules, bookings and campaign delivery to ensure smooth execution.
• Use audience insights and campaign performance to sharpen strategy.
• Contribute fresh media ideas for briefs, pitches and new business.
• Mentor junior media team members across Brisbane and Port Moresby.

Skills

Integrated media planning

Digital media

Traditional media

Analytics

Budget management

Client collaboration

Negotiation

Tools

TV

Radio

Outdoor

Social

Programmatic

Job description

Make the plans, shape the strategy and deliver media that makes a difference across Australia and the Pacific

At Colony, we're a tight-knit crew of strategists, creatives, digital and media specialists, and producers who love solving problems together and powering our clients' growth. What sets us apart is our local-first approach. Every market is different, so we've built our agency to be market specific, blending deep local insight with world-class expertise.

We're looking for a Media Planning Manager who knows how to turn a great brief into a smart media strategy and an even better campaign. Working across Australia and Papua New Guinea, you'll play a key role in shaping integrated media plans for some of the region's biggest brands.

This isn't a role where you just fill out media schedules. We want someone who thinks strategically, challenges the obvious and knows how to make media work harder. You'll work closely with our Head of Media, creative, strategy and digital teams to bring together the right channels, the right audiences and the right ideas.

With our media offering growing across Australia and the Pacific, there's plenty of opportunity to make your mark.

The opportunity

• Developing smart, integrated media strategies and plans across traditional, digital and emerging channels
• Turning client briefs and business objectives into media recommendations that deliver real results
• Leading media planning across a diverse portfolio of clients in Australia and PNG
• Working closely with creative, strategy, digital and account teams to make sure media is part of the big idea, not an afterthought
• Building strong relationships with media owners, publishers and platforms to unlock better opportunities for our clients
• Managing media budgets, schedules, bookings and campaign delivery, making sure everything runs smoothly
• Using audience insights, research and campaign performance to continually sharpen our thinking
• Bringing fresh ideas and media innovation to client briefs, pitches and new business opportunities
• Supporting and mentoring junior media team members across Brisbane and Port Moresby

The perfect candidate

• 5+ years of media agency experience, with a strong background in integrated media planning and buying
• A solid understanding of traditional and digital media, including TV, radio, outdoor, print, social, search and programmatic
• A strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture but isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get into the detail
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn audience data and insights into clear, compelling media recommendations
• Confidence managing media budgets, negotiating with suppliers and delivering campaigns from planning through to reporting
• A collaborative approach, building strong relationships with colleagues across every team and office so we deliver great outcomes together
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to talk clients through your thinking
• Strong attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to juggle multiple clients and campaigns
• A genuine curiosity about media, emerging platforms and finding smarter ways to connect brands with people
• Bonus points for experience working across multiple markets, particularly PNG or the Pacific

The culture

We take the work seriously, but not ourselves. You'll also get:

• Flexibility and a focus on work-life balance, with 2 days a week working from home
• A wellbeing program with an annual wellbeing allowance and mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program
• Study assistance and ongoing professional development
• Work on well-known brands across Australia and the Pacific, including PNG
• A collaborative, supportive team culture, with regular social events through our Culture Club
• A groovy Fortitude Valley office with collaborative spaces, end-of-trip facilities and a seriously good coffee machine

The application process

• Colony Group is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds and genders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Pacific Islander peoples to apply.