Media Planning Associate Manager
Job description
About the role
The serves as the strategic and operational backbone for client media initiatives, advising stakeholders on data-driven media strategies from initial concept to final execution. In this capacity, you will function as the primary guardian of campaign integrity, owning the comprehensive end-to-end lifecycle of digital and media planning while ensuring strict adherence to timelines and objectives. Success in this position is intrinsically linked to the consistent application of industry best practices and the rigorous governance of media planning and operations procedures. You will leverage deep expertise to champion innovation, refine workflows, and elevate the standard of work across the EssenceMediacom brand team and client stakeholders. The role demands a proactive partnership with clients, translating complex business challenges into actionable media roadmaps that are both measurable and impactful. You will be responsible for synthesizing market intelligence and emerging platform capabilities to future-proof campaign strategies and maintain a competitive edge. Ultimately, this position is defined by the accountability for driving media performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
Key facts
What you'll do
Own the full campaign lifecycle, including strategy, planning, implementation, and post campaign reviews tied to agreed KPIs, ensuring all deliverables meet client and internal standards.
Establish and adhere to media planning and operations procedures to maintain project momentum, mitigate risk, and keep campaigns precisely on track.
Analyze and interpret complex campaign data, tracking performance against defined metrics and media efficiency targets to identify optimization opportunities.
Curate and disseminate insights on media trends, emerging vendors, and innovative ad formats to the team and clients, fostering a forward-thinking mindset.
Act as a leading advocate for best practices, innovation, and procedural refinement, inspiring process improvements that benefit the wider team and client outcomes.
Serve as the central technical resource for media planning tools, ensuring accurate configuration and utilization of platforms such as Clear Decision and Arianna for optimization.
Champion cross-functional collaboration, aligning closely with brand, creative, and digital teams to ensure media strategy is cohesive and strategically sound.
Maintain meticulous documentation and reporting, providing transparent updates that enable stakeholders to understand campaign health and make informed decisions.
Leverage advanced analytical skills to solve complex media problems, balancing creativity with rigorous data to maximize client return on investment.
Prepare and lead strategic discussions during reviews, articulating the rationale behind media decisions and the impact on campaign success.
Requirements
Demonstrate a minimum of 4 years of progressive experience within a media agency environment, with a proven track record of handling complex client campaigns.
Exhibit expert-level knowledge of digital media planning and buying principles, complemented by a foundational understanding of offline media channels and their integration.
Show advanced proficiency in operating industry-standard media planning tools, specifically Clear Decision and Arianna, to execute sophisticated planning scenarios.
Utilize exceptional written and verbal communication skills to convey intricate strategies and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders effectively.
Manage concurrent priorities and deadlines while collaborating seamlessly with team members to uphold project schedules and quality benchmarks.
Employ a detail-oriented, proactive, and highly responsible approach to all aspects of work, anticipating challenges and implementing solutions.
Hold a Bachelor's degree as the minimum educational qualification, with a strong preference for disciplines related to marketing, business, or communications.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional development and a eagerness to master new media technologies and strategic frameworks.
Possess the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced agency environment, balancing multiple stakeholders and evolving project requirements.
Exhibit strong critical thinking skills, enabling the synthesis of data points into actionable insights that drive strategic media decisions.
Nice to have
There are no specified preferred qualifications or skills outlined for this role beyond the core requirements.
Practical notes
Hybrid work allows for around four days in the office, with the exact schedule subject to discussion and alignment with the hiring team.
The role is strategically based within the EssenceMediacom brand unit under the WPP Media portfolio, operating from the Taipei location.
The interview process typically involves a portfolio review, a practical campaign exercise, and detailed analytics questions, where past results are highly valued.
Candidates may be assessed on their ability to plan a product launch, construct a media brief, or propose improvements to a marketing funnel during the evaluation stages.
Preparation is key, and successful candidates often present a concise case study detailing a past campaign's objectives, execution, and measurable results.
Interviews frequently include scenario-based questions regarding media planning, requiring candidates to articulate their decision-making process and analytical rationale.
Questions to ask
Inquiring about the specific definition of success within the first six months provides clarity on expectations and immediate priorities.
Understanding the structure of the team and the dynamics of collaboration is essential for assessing cultural fit and integration.
Asking about the current primary challenge facing the team highlights awareness of organizational priorities and problem-solving orientation.
Gaining insight into the decision-making framework reveals how strategy is developed and approved within the media function.
Discussing formalized career growth pathways and the periodic review process demonstrates a long-term commitment to professional advancement within the WPP Media ecosystem.
Career growth
Professional progression typically follows a structured path from associate roles through to managerial and eventually directorial positions, with opportunities to advance to Vice President levels over time.
Specialization tracks are available and encouraged, allowing professionals to focus on high-growth areas such as data-driven growth marketing, brand strategy, integrated product marketing, and content strategy.
Generalist positions are common at the entry and mid-levels, providing a broad foundation that specialists can build upon as they progress in their careers.
Measurable impact on marketing pipeline generation and revenue contribution remains a primary driver for career advancement and increased responsibility.
The field rewards individuals who combine demonstrable media results with a high degree of professional adaptability and learning agility.
Possessing deep channel expertise alongside strong business acumen is frequently more valuable than a generalized but less specialized resume, particularly for strategic roles.