Manager - Media Planning

Merkle Italia; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Carat Bangalore is seeking an experienced Manager – Media Planning to develop, implement and optimise integrated media strategies across digital and traditional channels. The role requires expertise in audience planning, media buying, budget management, and campaign performance analysis to deliver marketing objectives and maximize ROI.

You will lead a team, coordinate with clients and internal stakeholders, manage budgets, negotiate with media partners, and ensure campaigns launch on time and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field; MBA preferred.
• 3–4 years of experience in media planning, buying, or integrated marketing communications.
• Experience with media agencies or large marketing organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop media strategies aligned with client objectives across digital and traditional channels.
• Build annual and campaign-specific media plans and allocate budgets across channels.
• Monitor KPIs, analyze performance, and optimize campaigns for ROI.
• Serve as primary point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate with media partners and manage budgets and billing.
• Lead and mentor media planners and executives; ensure quality outputs.

Skills

Media Planning & Strategy

Audience Research

Media Buying

Budget Management

Campaign Analytics

Market Research

Presentation Skills

Excel & PowerPoint

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Mass Communication, Business Administration, or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

Google Analytics

Meta Ads Manager

Google Ads

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The purpose of this role is to provide support to the senior team, taking responsibility for all administrative tasks within the team to ensure campaigns run smoothly and to plan.

Job Description: Position Title Manager – Media Planning Location Bangalore Reports To Business Director / Senior Media Planning Manager

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Manager – Media Planning to develop, implement, and optimize integrated media strategies across digital and traditional channels. The role requires expertise in audience planning, media buying, budget management, campaign performance analysis, and stakeholder management to ensure effective delivery of marketing objectives and maximum return on media investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Media Strategy & Planning - Develop comprehensive media plans aligned with client and business objectives. Recommend the optimal media mix across Digital, Television, Radio, Print, OOH, and Emerging Media. Conduct market, audience, and competitor analysis to support planning decisions. Create media strategies that maximize reach, engagement, and conversions.
• Campaign Planning & Execution - Build annual, quarterly, and campaign-specific media plans. Allocate media budgets effectively across channels and platforms. Coordinate with buying teams, publishers, media owners, and agencies for campaign execution. Ensure timely launch and smooth delivery of campaigns.
• Performance Analysis & Optimization - Monitor campaign KPIs and track media effectiveness. Analyze campaign performance and provide actionable recommendations. Conduct post-campaign evaluations and prepare performance reports. Optimize media investments to improve ROI and efficiency.
• Client & Stakeholder Management - Act as the primary point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders. Present media strategies, recommendations, and campaign performance reviews. Build strong relationships with media partners and vendors. Collaborate with creative, analytics, and account management teams.
• Budget & Commercial Management - Manage campaign budgets and media spends. Ensure media plans are delivered within approved budgets. Negotiate rates and value-added opportunities with media partners. Track billing, reconciliations, and campaign financials.
• Team Leadership - Lead and mentor media planners and executives. Review planning outputs and maintain quality standards. Support team development and knowledge sharing initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Mass Communication, Business Administration, or related field. MBA preferred.
• 3-4 years of experience in Media Planning, Media Buying, or Integrated Marketing Communications.
• Experience working with media agencies, advertising agencies, or large marketing organizations.

Required Skills

• Media Planning & Strategy
• Audience Research & Insights
• Media Buying & Negotiation
• Budget Management
• Campaign Analytics
• Market Research
• Performance Reporting Tools & Platforms
• BARC TAM/TGI/MRI Data (where applicable)
• Google Analytics
• Meta Ads Manager
• Google Ads
• Media Planning Tools
• Excel & PowerPoint
• Behavioral Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Analytical Ability
• Negotiation Skills
• Leadership & Team Management
• Problem Solving

Preferred Industry Experience

• Media Agencies
• Advertising Agencies
• FMCG
• Telecom
• Retail & E-commerce
• BFSI
• Entertainment & OTT
• Consumer Technology

Location: Bangalore

Brand: Carat

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work