Senior Associate

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 49,305 - 65,415; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

401K

Flexible time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading global media agency is seeking a Senior Associate, Planning to manage day-to-day media communication for assigned brands. This role requires accurate budget control and the ability to work closely with team members to develop effective digital media strategies. The ideal candidate should have at least one year of media planning experience, knowledge of MediaTools, and proficiency in Excel. This position is based in Chicago and offers a compensation range between $49,305 and $65,415 annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in media planning required.
• Familiarity with competitive systems essential.
• Proficiency in multiple research tools such as MRI and ComScore needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing digital media plans and recommendations.
• Maintain budget control and media activity flow.
• Monitor digital media plans and ensure execution.

Skills

Media Planning experience

MediaTools knowledge

Strong proficiency within Excel

Strong communication and presentation skills

Solution-oriented problem solver

Time management

Tools

MRI

ComScore

AdViews

Job description

Company description

Spark Foundry is a global media agency that exists to bring HEAT – Higher Engagement, Affinity, and Transactions – to brands. By combining flawless media fundamentals with aggressive innovation, Spark inspires consumers to pay more attention, to care more about our clients’ brands, and to buy more products and services from them.

Balancing the nimble spirit of a startup with the powerhouse soul of Publicis Media, Spark Foundry delivers the best of both worlds to a client roster that spans some of the world’s best and most beloved brands and companies. We combine boutique‑caliber insights and service with the buying clout and first‑look access of a global leader, bringing the heat to challenger brands that want to act like giants, and to giant brands that want to act like challengers.

With a bottom‑up culture that celebrates diversity and aims for all voices to be heard, Spark has become a magnet for the industry’s best talent, with one of the best retention rates in the industry. And by applying a whole‑person approach to professional and personal development, Spark develops a workforce that is well prepared for today’s challenges, and also poised to create meaningful careers in the years to come.

Because we know that heat arises the intersection of complementary forces, our professionals come from myriad disciplines and backgrounds: data, analytics, and insights, content and creative production, communications and strategy, finance and marketing, and sociology, psychology, and other liberal arts disciplines.

Overview

The role of the Senior Associate, Planning is to be the day‑to‑day steward on media communication for assigned brands, including accurate budget control and flow of digital media activity. You will be required to develop and maintain a strong knowledge of client business and apply online media understanding accordingly to help deliver against the clients’ needs/objectives. You will work closely with the Managers in the development and communication of all media recommendations. You will also be responsible for management, oversight and priority setting for respective Associates.

Our team is energetic, fun and collaborative. We work on the corporate differentiation/branding part of the account. We are committed to developing good work and enjoy our jobs and team.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Manager in development of digital media plan options and recommendations
• Maintain accurate budget control and flow of media activity and update client on timely/consistent basis
• Demonstrate strong understanding of online media fundamentals, including media math, target audience development, and communication goals (reach/frequency)
• Demonstrate proficiency with systems/tools (MRI, MediaTools, ComScore)
• Gather and analyze appropriate research to provide sound, strategic, consumer‑insights‑driven digital media recommendations
• Establish collaborative, productive working relationship with implementation teams to ensure media strategies are being delivered and brand goals and client needs are being met
• Ensure proper execution of digital media plans by monitoring buys/schedules
• Develop strong working relationship with partner agencies (where/when applicable), helping create a seamless communications process
• Demonstrate creativity and agility when problem solving
• Deliver POVs/position papers on key client issues and/or client opportunities
• Prepare media authorizations per approved plans/project requests

Qualifications

• 1+ years of Media Planning experience
• MediaTools knowledge is a must
• Familiarity with Competitive systems (AdViews/Kantar)
• Working knowledge of Syndicated research tools (eg. MRI, Comscore, etc.)
• Strong proficiency within Excel
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Professional, with strong teamwork skills
• Curious and motivated
• Solution‑oriented problem solver
• Adept at time management and handling shifting priorities

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off. If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail].

Compensation Range: $49,305- $65,415 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third‑party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 01/01/2026.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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