Senior Media Planning Lead (Hybrid/Flexible)

Starcom; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Flexible Working Arrangements

Tuition Assistance

Employee Assistance Programs

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Starcom, a leading media agency, is seeking a Media Planning Supervisor to help service clients and optimize media plans across digital, TV, audio, social, and programmatic channels in the Chicago area.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and hands‑on execution. You will lead deck creation, budgeting, and audience development while mentoring Associates and collaborating with clients and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably with a concentration in marketing, advertising, communications, business, sociology, or consumer insights
• 3+ years of experience in media planning experience across media channels
• Strong understanding of local media strategy, media planning, and buying best practices
• Strong experience in local media planning and buying across both linear and digital channels
• Ability to balance strategic planning responsibilities with hands‑on campaign execution and media buying
• Experience with MediaTools and Prisma is highly preferred
• Resourceful, curious, and motivated individual with an ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and manage priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with strong understanding of Excel and PowerPoint

Responsibilities

• Manage planning initiatives and collaborate with various teams to execute plans across various channels including digital, tv, audio, social, programmatic and more
• Own tactical plan development, recommendation building, and negotiations across their respective channels
• Collaborate and foster relationships with key partners including clients, internal teams, and leadership
• Lead strategic planning initiatives including: deckwriting, budget and channel allocation, and audience development
• Analyze data to inform purchase and channel allocation
• Develop guidelines & budget allocations
• Oversee day-to-day campaign execution and be responsible for ensuring campaigns deliver on KPIs
• Support development of strategic approach and experience design by delivering channel ideas and providing the link to reality of historical performance and in-market opportunities
• Responsible for management and development of Associates and Senior Associates

Skills

Media planning

Budget management

Data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Channel strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing/advertising

Tools

MediaTools

Prisma

Job description

Starcom, a leading media agency, is seeking a Media Planning Supervisor to help service clients and optimize media plans across digital, TV, audio, social, and programmatic channels in the Chicago area.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and hands‑on execution. You will lead deck creation, budgeting, and audience development while mentoring Associates and collaborating with clients and internal teams.