Associate Planning Director

Syntra Antwerpen en Vlaams Brabant (Syntra AB); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

401k with company match

Adoption Assistance

Company paid life insurance

Short‑term and long‑term disability

Paid parental leave

Summer Fridays

Flexible time off

11 holidays and end‑of‑year office closure

Learning and development opportunities

Free lunch Wednesdays

Wellness program

Job summary

AbelsonTaylor Group is seeking an Associate Planning Director to support strategic efforts across the Integrated Strategy department in Chicago. This role requires mastery in planning, insight mining, and storytelling, along with leadership skills to guide junior team members.

The ideal candidate has 7-9 years of prior agency experience, a bachelor’s degree, and an interest in health and wellness. The position offers a hybrid work schedule and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7-9 years prior agency experience.
• Experience leading teams and projects.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Identify target attitudes, beliefs, and behavior.
• Lead planning-focused projects on supported brands.
• Act as the Planning lead on new business pitches.

Skills

Market Research

Storytelling

Leadership Skills

Creative Evaluation

Curiosity about human behavior

Pharmaceutical Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, marketing, communication, or sciences

Job description

About the Company

At AbelsonTaylor Group, work that makes you feel good isn’t just what we do—it's who we are. We believe that when you feel good about your work, and where you work, you bring your best self to it. That’s why we create an environment where creativity thrives, teamwork flourishes, and inclusivity is more than a value—it’s a way of life. Here, you’ll help propel brands that inspire health and brighter futures, finding support, inspiration, and growth opportunities to reach your own potential. Together, we dream boldly, collaborate deeply, and make a meaningful difference—one idea at a time.

We are on an unstoppable mission for an Associate Planning Director to join our team. The Associate Planning Director is an entry role into management and requires mastery of Sr. Planner level duties and qualifications. As an Integrated Strategist, you will support brands as a core team member, coordinating strategic efforts across the Integrated Strategy department: Planning, Engagement, Media, Marketing Intelligence, Social.

What You'll Do

• Target Identification: Deep understanding of target attitudes, beliefs, and behavior; creative approaches to presenting target learnings.
• Insight Mining: Expertise and creativity in ways to uncover and utilize target insights.
• Market Research: Expertise in various qualitative and quantitative methodologies, identify knowledge gaps, and develop an annual learning plan utilizing market research to fill gaps and drive the business.
• Storytelling & Creative Inspiration: Excellent verbal, writing, and presentation skills.
• Pharma-Proficiency: High-level knowledge of multiple therapeutic areas, with in-depth knowledge for brands led.
• New Business Pitches: Act as the Planning lead on new business pitches.
• Planning Projects: Lead planning-focused projects on supported brands, including market research, insight mining, audience narratives, customer journeys, and positioning development.
• Integrated Strategist: Seamlessly coordinate the integration of multiple disciplines, including Engagement, Media, Marketing Intelligence, and Social.
• Workshops: Lead insight, positioning, and messaging workshops.
• Creative Briefs: Author inspiring creative briefs, approaching brand challenges from fresh perspectives.
• Creative Briefings: Lead inspiring creative briefings.
• Creative Evaluation: Evaluate creative output through the lens of the target audience.
• Thought Leadership: Contribute to thought leadership departmental initiatives, introducing novel approaches.

Team Management and Mentorship

• Leadership Skills: Lead by example, maintaining composure and professionalism in challenging situations, serving as a role model for junior team members.
• Hire, Coach, and Develop Team Members: Assign projects to balance workloads and challenge skills, ensuring projects showcase the agency’s capabilities.
• Provide Regular Feedback: Offer formal and informal feedback to direct reports to help grow their creative sensibilities and progress in their craft.
• Perform Team Evaluations: Participate in performance reviews and provide coaching to create growth plans for team members as needed.
• Team Motivation: Foster team motivation and maintain a positive attitude that inspires others.
• Infuse Psychological Safety into Teams: Facilitate participation, inclusion, and diversity of perspectives on your team and throughout the agency.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Experience: 7-9 years prior agency experience.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree (preference for social sciences, marketing, communication, or sciences).
• Pharmaceutical Experience: Pharmaceutical experience is a plus.
• Curiosity: Must be innately curious about human behavior.
• Interest in Health & Wellness: Must have an interest in health and wellness.

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• 401k with company match of 50% on the first 6%
• Adoption Assistance – Up to $2,500 of financial assistance
• Company paid life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability
• Short‑term disability providing 100% of salary coverage
• Paid parental leave for birth and non‑birth parents (4 weeks)
• Summer Fridays
• Flexible time off (FTO)
• 11 holidays and end‑of‑year office closure
• Company‑provided learning and development opportunities
• Free lunch Wednesdays
• Wellness program

Compensation Range

Compensation Range: $115,000.00 – $140,000.00. The starting salary offer will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. The company reserves the right to adjust this pay range at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AbelsonTaylor Group (ATG), we love science, art, and data. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and strive to bring together people with unique skills and varied backgrounds to work toward common goals. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Hours and Location

This position follows a hybrid schedule, requiring employees to be onsite Tuesday‑Thursday each week in our Chicago office. We make reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities who require schedule accommodations. We are an E‑Verify employer.