Associate Planning Director

AbelsonTaylor Group; 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 - Up to $2,500

Company Paid Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability providing 100% salary

Paid Parental Leave

Summer Fridays

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

Company provided Learning and Development

Wellness Program

Job summary

AbelsonTaylor Group in Chicago is seeking an Associate Planning Director. This role requires mastery of strategic planning, insight mining, and market research.

You’ll lead projects, coordinate teams, and contribute to brand strategy while fostering an inclusive environment. With a focus on health and wellness, we value creativity and teamwork.

Our hybrid schedule allows onsite work Tuesday to Thursday. Join us and make a difference!

Qualifications

• 7-9 years of prior agency experience.
• Mastery of Sr. Planner level duties.
• Pharmaceutical experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate strategic efforts across Integrated Strategy departments.
• Lead planning-focused projects on supported brands.
• Author inspiring creative briefs and lead creative briefings.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Market Research

Pharma-Proficiency

Storytelling & Creative Inspiration

Curiosity

Education

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

Job description

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 just a value—it’s a way of life.

Here, you’ll help propel brands that inspire health and brighter futures, all while finding the 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.

Now, 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 a mastery of Sr. Planner level duties and qualifications. The APD serves as Integrated Strategist supporting brands as a core team member, coordinating strategic efforts across the Integrated Strategy dept: Planning, Engagement, Media, Marketing Intelligence, Social. The APD provides high level Planning skills and a broad understanding of the role the other disciplines play, adeptly bringing in subject matter experts to support projects as needed.

Ready to make a difference and be part of something extraordinary? Join us on this journey toward a healthier, happier world! Apply now!

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, ability to 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 of therapeutic areas 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 team members’ skills, ensuring projects showcase the agency’s capabilities.
• Provide Regular Feedback: Offer both 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 for any direct reports 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
• Wellness Program

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.

At AbelsonTaylor Group (ATG), we love science, art, and data. Since our beginnings in 1981, ATG has been singularly focused on health, wellness, and pharma products – not sneakers, beer, or cars (though we like those things, too). Besides being passionate about our purpose, we are dedicated to our people and their professional growth and fulfillment. 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.

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.

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