Associate Director, Media Planning in Toronto

WPP Media is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Media Planning to lead integrated media strategy and campaign execution across a portfolio of high-profile client accounts. This role is responsible for developing holistic media plans, delivering strategic recommendations, overseeing campaign performance, and fostering strong client and partner relationships.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, strong media expertise, exceptional project management skills, and leadership capabilities to ensure successful campaign outcomes while mentoring and developing high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Media Planning & Client Leadership
  • Partner with senior leadership to develop integrated media strategies that align with client business objectives and communications goals.
  • Contribute to the creation of holistic media plans across traditional and digital channels.
  • Translate audience insights, research findings, first-party data, syndicated tools, and marketplace intelligence into actionable media recommendations.
  • Provide a strong point of view on media strategy, investment decisions, and campaign optimization opportunities.
  • Ensure all planning recommendations are grounded in audience behaviour, media consumption trends, and business objectives.
• Campaign Management & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end campaign planning and execution across multiple concurrent campaigns.
  • Oversee plan development, trafficking readiness, activation handoffs, and post-campaign reporting.
  • Manage timelines and workflows to ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
  • Review media plans and campaign documentation to ensure quality, accuracy, and strategic integrity.
  • Communicate campaign updates, changes, risks, and opportunities proactively to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Performance Analysis & Optimization
  • Collaborate with Analytics and Activation teams to monitor campaign performance and business outcomes.
  • Evaluate campaign effectiveness against KPIs and strategic objectives.
  • Develop actionable insights and optimization recommendations based on performance data.
  • Present campaign learnings and strategic recommendations to clients and leadership teams.
• Client & Industry Partnerships
  • Build and maintain trusted client relationships through strategic counsel, responsiveness, and industry expertise.
  • Lead day-to-day client communications and support senior client presentations.
  • Develop strong relationships with media owners, technology partners, and industry stakeholders.
  • Negotiate effectively with media partners to deliver client value and business results.
  • Stay informed on industry trends, emerging platforms, consumer behaviour shifts, and competitive activity.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Act as a mentor and role model for planning team members.
  • Manage, coach, and develop planners, supporting both technical and professional growth.
  • Ensure appropriate delegation of work and balanced team workload management.
  • Provide guidance, feedback, and support to drive team performance and career development.
  • Support business continuity by providing leadership coverage during absences or periods of organizational change.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain best practices, processes, and planning standards.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of media planning experience within an agency environment.
• Strong expertise across integrated media channels, including traditional and digital media.
• Proven experience leading client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of audience research tools, syndicated research, media measurement, and performance analytics.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience managing and developing team members.
• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence decisions through strategic thinking and data-driven recommendations.

What Success Looks Like

• Delivery of innovative, insight-driven media strategies that achieve client objectives.
• Effective management of complex campaigns from planning through reporting.
• Strong client satisfaction and long-term relationship growth.
• Development of high-performing teams and consistent planning excellence.
• Continuous identification of new opportunities, trends, and best practices that drive client success.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.