Associate Director, Media Planning

DescriptionAbout Salar LabsSalar Labs is a next-generation media agency designed to help brands achieve greater relevance, stronger consumer connections, and accelerated growth in an era defined by constant change. By integrating strategy, media, data, technology, AI, and creative into a unified operating model, we deliver marketing solutions that are more intelligent, adaptive, and effective.We challenge the misalignment across marketing by bringing a media-first approach to synchronizing media planning and message creation for our clients. By combining audience strategy with media-driven creative direction, we deliver orchestrated consumer interactions that work together to maximize business impact. Salar Labs is part of Attivo Group, combining the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of an independent agency with access to world-class talent, technology, and capabilities, helping clients navigate the future of marketing with greater confidence and impact.Position Summary:We are seeking a driven and strategic Associate Director, Media Planning to support the development and execution of integrated media strategies for a client in the travel vertical. This is an individual who is heavily involved in the brand and campaign strategic planning process, supports in the management of client relationships, and leads a team of media professionals to deliver innovative, data-driven campaigns that achieve their client’s business objectives while ensuring that day-to-day client and account needs are met.Key Responsibilities:Media Strategy & PlanningDevelop and execute comprehensive, integrated media strategies and narratives aligned with client objectives and business goals.Lead media planning deliverables across digital, social, programmatic, search, television, streaming, audio, out-of-home, and other relevant channels.Translate consumer insights, audience research, campaign performance data, and market trends into actionable media recommendations.Identify opportunities to improve campaign performance, maximize media investments, and maximize client budgetsPartner with internal teams to ensure media strategies and optimizations continue to align with broader brand and      marketing initiatives.Partner with creative teams to ensure a cohesive and integrated go-to-market connectivity between message and media.Stay informed of emerging media trends, technologies, platforms, and industry best practices to influence industry-leading work for clients.Client Management & CollaborationServe as a key day-to-day contact for clients on media planning strategies, recommendations, and campaign deliverables.Build and maintain strong client relationships by understanding business needs and providing strategic recommendations.Lead client meetings, planning discussions, and presentations.Demonstrate ability to effectively lead and respond on client media requests and emergencies.Partner with internal teams to ensure alignment between client expectations, campaign objectives, and deliverables.Support new business pitches by contributing to media strategies, research, and presentations.Campaign Management & PerformanceManage the development of media plans, budgets, timelines, and campaign deliverables.Partner with media investment, activation, and analytics teams to ensure campaigns are executed accurately and efficiently.Monitor campaign performance and recommend optimizations based on key performance indicators and client objectives.Analyze campaign results and translate findings into actionable insights and recommendations.Ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality across planning documents, reports, and presentations.Manage fast turnaround deadline and client’s competing priorities while maintaining quality of delivery and meeting established deadlines.Team Leadership & DevelopmentProvide day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and support to media planners and managers.Oversee team workloads, project timelines, and planning deliverables.Review team members' work to ensure accuracy, quality, and strategic alignment.Support the Director, Media Planning in establishing processes, best practices, and team priorities.Contribute to employee development through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented team environment.RequirementsQualifications:5–7+years of experience in strategic media planning and client management, preferably within an advertising or media agency.Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.Experience developing and managing integrated media plans across traditional and digital channels.Strong understanding of audience research, consumer insights, media strategy, and campaign performance measurement.Experience managing client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations.Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and deadlines.Experience mentoring or supervising junior team members.Familiarity with media planning, research, and measurement platforms such as Nielsen Media Impact, MRI-Simmons, MediaRadar, TelmarHelixa/Clear Decisions, and other industry tools.Comfort and interest in purposeful use of AI/LLMs across day-to-day workflows strongly preferred.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced agency environment.Key Competencies:Strategic thinking and media planningConsumer insights and audience analysisClient relationship managementCampaign development and optimizationTeam mentorship and collaborationData analysis and performance measurementBudget management and project coordinationCommunication and presentation skillsOrganization and attention to detailSalary range: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00; commensurate with experience. This is a hybrid position based in NYC or Boston.