Manager, Strategic Planning

Havas Media Network; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

wellness

life and disability insurance

RRSP plan and match

paid parental leave top-up

paid time off

Job summary

Havas Media Network, a global media experience agency, seeks a Strategic Planning Manager to lead the planning team in Montreal. You will own investment briefings, craft dynamic cross-channel media tactics and nurture client relationships. You will collaborate across internal and external teams and guide junior members.

You will rely on advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills to produce clear, concise client-ready materials and present compelling strategic rationale in both English and French.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in 360 media planning (print, broadcast, digital, OOH, social, SEM).
• 2-3 years’ experience managing direct reports including annual evaluations.
• Strong understanding of industry tools and resources to develop research, insights, and ideas for all media initiatives.
• Must be bilingual and able to manage clients and create materials and present in both English and French.

Responsibilities

• Develops dynamic, well-rounded media tactics across channels.
• Provides clear, logical rationales for media choices and alternatives.
• Acts as liaison with investment teams to ensure collaboration and execution.
• Leads the investment briefing process with insightful and engaging briefing documents.
• Partners with Investment teams to bring latest media opportunities into plans.
• Keeps the Client Experience team updated for smooth client management.
• Manages campaigns and spots potential pitfalls early.
• Communicates frequently to keep everyone informed.

Skills

360 media planning

Team management

PowerPoint

Excel

Bilingual EN/FR

Attention to detail

Client relationship

Communication

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Havas Media Network, the Media Experience agency, is looking for a Strategic Planning Manager to join the Planning Team, part of our global community of 10,000 team members who are focused on using Meaningful Media to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people.

The Planning Manager is a skilled technical planner, well-versed in key tools, and now evolving into a complete owner of the campaign. They are growing their ability to craft insightful, well thought out recommendations that set solid foundations for strategic logic.

The Planning Manager is actively building relationships with media owners, bringing fresh, exciting ideas into media plans. They are the conduit between the Investment specialists and the team, meaning they own the investment briefing process and ensure the work return from the investment teams is on point versus the strategic comms approach.

A DAY IN THE LIFE MIGHT LOOK LIKE:

Driving Excellent Work

• Develops dynamic, well-rounded media tactics across channels.
• Provides clear, logical rationales for media choices, offering well-thought-out alternatives.
• Acts as the key liaison with investment teams, ensuring seamless collaboration and execution.
• Leads the investment briefing process, delivering insightful and engaging briefing documents.
• Partners closely with the Investment teams to bring the latest media opportunities into plans.
• Keeps the Client Experience team updated, ensuring smooth and proactive client management.
• Manages the campaigns and can spot potential pitfalls before they happen.
• Communicates frequently, managing up and down to ensure everyone is always clear and informed.

How you will work

• Collaborate as much as possible with internal and external teams.
• Set an example to the team by engaging in agency events and training.
• Train, inspire, and coach the team in media planning tools and best practices.
• Delegate to the Planning Technician and Associates to ensure they are learning new things.
• Work with the Senior Planning team to establish strong development plans for junior team members.
• Manage team performance, effectively delegate responsibilities, and ensure accountability.
• Can give constructive feedback to the junior team below you.
• Stay updated on industry trends and incorporate the latest thinking into media plans.
• Regularly engage with key media owners to bring new opportunities into planning strategies.

Who you are

• Curious: you ask the right questions and are eager to learn
• Disciplined: you have high standards and don't cut corners
• Organized: you can manage timelines and campaign processes with ease

Experience Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience in 360 media planning (print, broadcast, digital, OOH, social, SEM)
• 2-3 years’ experience managing direct reports including annual evaluations.
• Strong understanding of industry tools and resources to develop research, insights, and ideas for all media initiatives.
• Must be bilingual and able to manage clients and create materials and present in both English and French
• Attention to detail and the ability to work in a team, collaborate with and influence others.
• Excellent client acumen and relationship building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, specifically the ability to prepare clear and concise client-ready documents.
• Organized with a strong attention to detail, focused on accuracy
• Strong expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel

Why Join us?

We are deeply committed to investing in the professional development of our team members, providing ample opportunities to expand skills, take on diverse challenges, and contribute to high-impact projects. Our passion for what we do drives us. Joining our team means being part of a culture and organization that prioritizes growth, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence...not to mention you would make some pretty cool new friends!

• medical
• dental
• wellness
• life and disability insurance
• RRSP plan and match
• paid parental leave top-up
• paid time off