Senior Associate, Planning

Omnicom; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnicom's PHD agency is seeking a Senior Associate in Planning in Chicago. You will support the development and execution of complex, multi-channel media strategies, handling advanced tasks in campaign development, data analysis, and client service.

You'll analyze audience and market data to optimize plans, prepare client-facing materials, and collaborate with internal teams to ensure accurate, strategic outcomes. A strong emphasis on mentorship and process excellence is included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, communications, business, or a related field.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data into insights.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and co-lead development and execution of integrated, cross-channel media plans.
• Analyze audience, market, and campaign data to inform media recommendations.
• Prepare and present client-facing materials with accuracy and strategic alignment.
• Mentor Planning Associates and support onboarding and training.
• Collaborate with activation, strategy, analytics, and content teams to ensure seamless plan implementation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, communications, business, or related field

Tools

Industry planning tools

Job description

Agency: PHd Job Function: Media Job Subfunction: Media Planning and Buying Job Description: As a Senior Associate in Planning at PHD, you will play a vital role in the planning team, leveraging your growing experience to support the development and implementation of complex, multi-channel media strategies. You will be responsible for more advanced tasks in campaign development, data analysis, and client service, while continuing to build your expertise as a media planning professional. Your analytical abilities and attention to detail will help deliver exceptional results for clients and contribute to overall team excellence. Within this role you have two core areas of responsibility: Planning Excellence for the Client Support and co-lead the development and execution of integrated, cross-channel media plans that directly address client business objectives. Analyze audience, market, and campaign data to provide insights that inform media recommendations and optimize plan performance. Prepare and present client-facing materials, including flowcharts, presentations, and competitive reviews, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment. Participate in ongoing campaign monitoring, optimizations, and post-campaign analyses, delivering clear takeaways and actionable recommendations. Maintain strong understanding of client industries, goals, competitive environments, and evolving media landscapes. Planning Excellence for the Team Act as a mentor and resource to Planning Associates, providing guidance and supporting onboarding and ongoing training initiatives. Ensure high standards of documentation, project management, and adherence to Omnicom Media processes throughout all planning activities. Collaborate closely with internal teams-including activation, strategy, analytics, and content to ensure seamless plan implementation. Take initiative in updating and applying industry best practices, emerging technologies, and Omnicom Media-specific tools to enhance planning outcomes. Proactively contribute ideas, solutions, and improvements to enhance team performance and client results.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, communications, business, or a related field. 1-2 years of experience in media planning or a related field (agency experience preferred). Strong analytical skills and proven ability to interpret and synthesize data into meaningful insights. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and industry-standard planning tools. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and priorities with organization and attention to detail. Collaborative, proactive, and committed to ongoing learning and professional growth.

How We Will Measure Success

Consistently deliver accurate, timely, and strategic work that contributes to successful campaign outcomes and client satisfaction. Demonstrate clear growth in media planning skills, client communication, and Omnicom Media tool proficiency. Positive feedback from clients and internal teams for reliability, attention to detail, and teamwork. Positive feedback from clients and internal teams for reliability, attention to detail, and teamwork. Proactive engagement in team initiatives, process improvements, and knowledge-sharing activities.

$40,000 - $75,000

Omnicom’s policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager. Our objective is to increase this requirement over time, and many of our agencies as well as Omnicom’s corporate group already require five days of in-office attendance. Omnicom is committed to hiring and developing exceptional talent. We agree that talent is uniquely distributed, and we’re focused on developing inclusive teams that can bring the best solutions to everything we do. We strongly believe that celebrating what makes us different makes us better together. Join us—we look forward to getting to know you. We will process your personal data in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice. Link to Recruitment Privacy Notice: https://www.omc.com/privacy-notice

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