Essencemediacom | Head Of Strategic Planning

A truly global network with 120 offices and over 10,000 people operating in 96 markets, we are a new type of agency that creates breakthroughs for brands. We discover the breakthroughs that brands need to win; the discoveries, experiences, invention, integration and impact that will make a difference to their business. We are built to keep pace with change, built on data and technology, built for people and algorithms, built around diverse capability, built to test and learn at scale and, crucially, built to evolve.

Through the delivery of this breakthrough thinking, we will deliver our NZ agency purpose, to Demand Attention, and achieve our ultimate ambition, which is to be the most recommended agency amongst the world's most influential brands.

These core beliefs are fundamental to our culture and how we work. We're firm believers in building high performance teams (which is why you're reading this) that work fantastically well together to achieve to the highest levels. To do this, we have a set of values that underpin our culture:

Curious: We are brilliant, creative, insightful thinkers who seek out fresh ideas, to get better every day.
United: We are better together, and we value each and every member of our MediaCom tribe.
Driven: Through our collective energy, desire and determination, we make things happen.

Keeping the above in mind is how we can produce great work that we all take pride in, but that most importantly delivers breakthroughs for the brands we represent.

Purpose of the role

The Head of Strategic Planning (HoSP) is responsible for the quality of the agency's work output, directly and in partnership with our internal teams - Client Leadership & Planning, Media Solutions and Data & Technology (D&T), as well as our centralised GroupM resource, spanning key specialisms. The relentless pursuit of breakthroughs demands the alignment of the agency around a singular philosophy and process (Breakthrough Thinking / Planning) that evolves briefs into recommendations for budgeting, audience selection, channel/platform ecosystem selection, creative design recommendation, cross channel media planning and measurement frameworks, and this role serves as the guardian of this philosophy and process. We firmly believe that ideas are essential to demand the attention of consumers and leaning heavily on the innovation and improvement strands of Breakthrough planning throughout the marketing, campaign and optimisation cycles, the HoSP will help deliver this creativity.

Additionally, the HoSP will command a position on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), helping shape the next era of EssenceMediacom in the New Zealand market, and sharing responsibility for the day-to-day operation and growth of the entire agency.

Your responsibilities

We expect you to play a direct role in creating the breakthrough culture we want to build at EssenceMediacom, which will be demonstrated in the following areas of the business.

People

Develops, delivers and champions Breakthrough Planning approach, process, training and capability amongst the team
Ensures integration of people/skills around the Breakthrough Planning process
Supports Client Leadership personnel to deliver Breakthrough planning, both internally and externally to clients
Develops resources and training to build this capability as an integrated part of advanced BAU
Collaborates across functions and specialisms to create a more integrated, end-to-end product
Actively stimulates innovative thinking within the agency and our clients

Partners

Delivers integrated strategic guidance and presence on client accounts, as required by individual Scopes of Work (SOW)
Builds and fosters strong and trusted client relationships where appropriate, in conjunction with the Managing Partner and Business Leads.
Builds and fosters strong relationship with EssenceMediacom Australia and APAC, and GroupM NZ strategic personnel.

Product

Delivers internal and external thought leadership/trends relating to strategic planning
Leads the development, implementation and ongoing enforcement of the Breakthrough Planning process in New Zealand
Delivers channel selection, budget allocation, channel orchestration and scheduling, channel synergies, creative design specs, active cross/channel/audience/creative optimisation as required on a brief-by-brief, client-by-client basis (in collaboration with Client Leadership & Planning)
Ensures that our media planning discipline is evolving to incorporate new and emerging communication opportunities (ie. new platforms or new forms) and data to support decision making
Defines advanced pproach to understanding audiences for planning Partners with broader Group M personnel and Au specialist services to enable planners to deliver industry-leading planning solutions
Elevates EssenceMediacom's external reputation by showcasing our work through award submissions (and wins)

Profit

Deliver strategy and planning support for new business projectsIdentifies new strategic/planning product opportunities that may attract incremental net sales growth

Key Performance Indicators

Your individual KPIs may change from time to time (according to business requirements, and in consultation with your line manager), however the broad areas for measuring performance in your role are as follows:

People

Inspired, educated and motivated team as it relates to strategic planning, with talent identified and mentored to support and drive S&P in future

Partners

Strong key client relationships and perception of/advocacy for EssenceMediacom's planning work output
Strong and productive relationships with EssenceMediacom Australia and APAC and GroupM NZ strategic personnel, to the demonstrable benefit of EssenceMediacom NZ

Product

Delivery and adherence to Breakthrough planning
External awards and other work recognition

Profit

Incremental revenue delivery via strategic planning projects
Key contribution to successful new business development

Knowledge & skillset requirements

Qualifications and experience

Extensive and proven experience in strategic planning, spanning multiple categories and clients
Experience in running and leading large teams, focussing on creating efficiencies, upskilling and constant improvement of output
Extensive knowledge of marketing theory and proven demonstration of its application
Proven ability to plan for and deliver outcomes
An understanding of how to tap into a wide range of resources from which to draw insights
Proven application of planning for innovation and incorporating relevant trends
Ability to balance both creative ideas and evidenced based rigour
Significant knowledge of the digital environment and the changing communications landscape
A keen interest in the creation and application of new tools, systems and processes

Personal qualities and behavioural traits

Exhibits ambition, both personally, but also for the role and opportunity
Builds meaningful relationships both externally and internally
Has natural gravitas and authority
Continually challenges the status quo productively, always pushing for improvement
Looks beyond the obvious and outside of comfort zones
Experiments widely, accepting that not everything will work
Creates an environment where ideas come from anywhere
Works closely with others, regardless of team or seniority
Builds bonds across teams to make collaboration easier
Offers and appreciates precise and future-focused feedback
Follows through on commitments to others
Respectfully says what needs to be said, even if it's hard
ITakes pride in continuously developing both core craft and wider knowledge
Intentionally seeks out diverse views and experiences to broaden worldview
Creates an environment where people feel safe to speak up and be heard
Is kind, positive, curious and considerate with others

Apply now and send your CV via the link

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