Director of Planning

Working for PHD Canada Working for PHD Canada PHD Canada, with 40 years of Canadian history, are part of a Global network, and bring the breadth of global strength and the depth of local expertise to Canadian brands.Our people make the difference, striving to be the most strategic and creative-led media agency in a data and tech world that delivers growth for our clients.We are a culture of thought-leadership, creativity and innovation.We believe in our people and delivering great work for our clients. It is these ambitions that make PHD a great company to work for as well as rewarding work via client accolades and industry recognition.Some additional benefits you get by being part of PHD include:Learning: Both in person with your manager, within the agency and through an online platform that brings internal and external learning together 24/7.Beer Club once a monthEvents organised by the social committee throughout the yearBig Hugs – PHD’s very own CSR initiative driven by our people and their passions for the greater goodAccess to industry eventsDiscounted Gym membershipFlexible Health benefitsOMG mentorship programFor further information on PHD culture, please visit or Instagram/phdcanada to see what we are about.Purpose of the role: The Planning Director is expected to lead the Integrated PHD team by delivering superior client satisfaction through the building and execution of strategic, competitive, and creative media plans. The Planning Director will have an intimate knowledge of the client’s business and the media marketplace and apply this knowledge to help the PHD integrated team to drive results and exceed client KPIs. The Planning Director will mentor and supervise direct reports.You will be the leader. You will guide an enthusiastic team of cross discipline professionals. You will elevate the team’s performance through leading by example. You will consistently give your best and encourage the same from others. You will be engaged in the ongoing day-to-day work with specific focus on liaising with the integrated team to create remarkable plans designed to exceed the defined success metrics. This result will be achieved by leveraging proprietary tools including OMNI Studio, incorporating best practices, understanding investment strategies, incorporating analytics and being open to different ideas and perspectives.You will be an essential and valuable member of the PHD team through positive and professional engagement of client teams, agency partners, media partners and field experts. Multiple data points and facts will enable you to develop defendable PHD opinions, perspectives and hypotheses. You will focus attention towards PHD business and operational goals to help ensure the ongoing health of the agency. Financial targets, investment obligations and proprietary tool adoption are some of the key areas of attention.The Planning Director will be part of an integrated Planning team usually composed of eight levels of employment:Managing DirectorVPDirectorAssociate DirectorSupervisorSenior ManagerManagerAssistantThe Role & Expectations Client Engagement: Media Expertise via yourself or PHD subject expertProfessional and openFocused on growing the relationship and financial health of the account through client satisfaction and client business resultsCommunication & Collaboration: Accurate and professionalInclusive of all stakeholdersTeam builder. Internal hub to ensure everyone is engaged, motivated and on track for personal and account successAccountability:To your immediate integrated team… seek and deliver support with enthusiasmTo your client contract, risks, opportunities and team personalities…. Know their goals and help them to exceedPHD Toronto and Network…. sharing, gathering, supportingFinancial Management:Client and Agency financial health through TM1, BCRs and global reporting requirements, SBUsWork within defined best practices (local or Global, Agency or Client) to uncover smart financial solutionsAccuracy and attention to detailPeople Management: Coaching and mentoring within the team and across the agencyAccess training and resources across the agency and network to ensure your team is properly supported personally and professionallyRecognize your strengths and opportunities as well as those within your teamLeadership:Knowledge is the foundation of leadershipObserve and learn from others within and outside PHDLead with confidence and enthusiasm. Evolve and adapt as the situation dictates Media/BusinessYour Responsibilities: Media Planning Ensure the team infuses every plan with thoughtful, functional, creative, data driven executions rooted in insights. Familiarity with market research and media applications are crucial. Incorporate measurement and campaign optimization for ultimate performanceTeamEngage your team with enthusiasm, knowledge, questions and ideas. Aim towards the future…. prepare to be a coach and mentor while being open to receiving valuable feedback from others. Leverage your team to grow skillsets, presentation skills, detail-orientation, technical skills, leadership and critical thinkingClient ManagementBuild and maintain an effective working relationship with appropriate business leaders to continuously grow the account. Provide a unique point of view to help clients interpret the best way to test and scale new approaches and identify opportunities to grow their business. Account health is rooted in client satisfactionCross Team AlignmentBe an agency leader and ensure the team is inclusive of multiple disciplines – strategy, marketing sciences, activation, business lead – and externally to understand and develop the most appropriate media concepts and buying strategies across multiple platformsSome Specific Responsibilities:Maintain appropriate confidentiality of client and agency informationEnsure team is focused to deliver against stated PHD business targets and programsKey contact for senior level client business and full team as appropriateComplete understanding of the client-agency contractResponsible for overall media process (planning/buying/on-line/strategy/data management etc)Own the relationships with appropriate partner agency personnelOrganize and book meetingsDevelop meeting agenda and contentInput into full agency team documents, POV’s, opportunitiesParticipate in ideation sessionsMeeting documentationAccountable to the PHD Senior Leadership team for working towards defined agency goals for finance, employee development, new business growth, training and overall health of PHDAccountability for providing ongoing strategic insight into client business - Develop briefing document for Strategy teamActively support/input/develop strategic documents/discussionBe a champion or corporate initiative, inspire your team, and direct case workParticipate in new business pitches as requiredContribute to the PHD team with respect to recruiting and completing Growth Plans and performance reviews as appropriateUnderstanding client marketplace dynamics (economic, sales, competitive, consumer) - Contribute/create competitive media reports, Track competitive business success/growth/declines, Engage PHD network for global trends within relevant categoryEnsure utilization of PHD Proprietary and industry research tools in plan developmentFully understand the financial and billing position of each clientEnsure appropriate preparation and presentation of reports and strategic analyses to clientsAnnual/campaign media plans o SWAT AnalysisCompetitive ReviewsVarious POV’s of media OpportunitiesMeeting minutesStatus reportsPost buy reportsCampaign Tracking reportsTraffic sheetsPosition reportsComparison analysis (year over year, campaign v campaign, market v market etc)In depth knowledge of all media – offline and online and strategies - Print, OOH, Radio, Broadcast, Social, Digital, event, sponsorshipDemonstrate solid expertise/knowledge of data and analyticsEnsure proper client training from a media/communications perspectiveActively participate and ensure team supports PHD Values and agency initiativesRun client education seminarsPrepare and manage the Growth Plans for all direct reports - manage ongoing check-ins throughout the yearExpected Behavioral Attitude:Leadership, initiative and entrepreneurial spiritPositivity, passion and determinationSpirit of collaboration and teamworkGood stress management, responsiveness and adaptabilityGood management of emotions and intentionsEffective management of prioritiesOrganizational skills and rigorCreativity and sense of innovationInterpersonal skillsFocus on Customer SatisfactionManagerial and political skillsNegotiation skillsActively represent and encourage others to act within the PHD ValuesCore Competencies:Leadership/team building and mentoring capabilitiesStrategic ability (Insight)Creative thinkerSolid media evaluation skillsKnowledge of Industry & proprietary tools/resourcesProfessionalismExcellent presentation skillsExcellent communication skillsProblem solving abilitySound judgment