Media Planning Manager
The Media Planning Manager at Confidential Client leads tactical media planning and execution for major consumer brands, collaborating closely with brand teams, creative agencies, and digital buyers. This role requires leveraging data and insights to optimize media strategies across video, search, social, and programmatic channels, ensuring flawless campaign delivery aligned with business goals. The position is based in Cincinnati and emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, project management, and effective communication to drive impactful media outcomes.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, PR, Advertising & Marketing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is looking for a Media Planning Manager to join an in-house media team supporting national brand work. You will lead tactical media planning, coordinate with brand and creative teams, and work closely with digital media buyers to ensure campaigns are delivered and optimized.
- Lead preparation, development, execution and ongoing monitoring of media plans.
- Coordinate media deliverables, timelines and status updates with brand and creative teams.
- Serve as day-to-day contact for creative/agency partners on collaboration, asset needs and timing.
- Conduct initial data assessment for planning (demographics, media usage, cost benchmarks).
- Maintain flowcharts, monthly budgets, authorizations, delivery recaps, competitive analyses, and billing records.
- Partner with Digital Media Buyers to align plan inputs and ensure digital activations (video, search, social, programmatic, publishing) are executed and optimized.
- Track performance and recommend adjustments using data and marketplace insights.
What We’re Looking For
Candidates who thrive in this role typically demonstrate strong planning discipline, cross-functional collaboration and a bias for action.
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience).
- 2–3 years agency experience in media or communications planning (national advertising experience preferred).
- Experience in video, search, social, publishing and programmatic planning.
- Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Familiarity with media planning and measurement tools such as MediaTools, MediaOcean, Prisma, comScore, MRI or equivalent research/planning platforms.
- Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills; ability to present clear, actionable recommendations.
- Attention to detail and proven ability to manage timelines and deliverables.
Compensation & Employment Type
- Employment type: Full-time
- Salary range (posted): $92,000 — $116,500 per year
- The above range is the starting pay range provided by the confidential client for this location. Actual pay will vary based on experience, credentials, location and other non-discriminatory factors.
- Total rewards may include salary + bonus (if applicable) + benefits. Specific compensation details will be shared during the hiring process.
Location & Work Authorization
- Location: Saint Bernard, OH (on-site / local office)
- Immigration sponsorship is not available for this role.
- Confidential client participates in E-Verify.
- Qualified applicants will not be disadvantaged for being unemployed.
- Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please request accommodations during the application process.
Why This Role Matters
This position sits at the intersection of strategy and execution. You will help shape how brands reach consumers across video, social, search and programmatic channels while working with an experienced in-house media team. If you enjoy turning data into clear media plans and collaborating across teams to deliver high-quality execution, this role offers growth and visibility on national brand work.
Keywords & Skills
- Media planning
- Programmatic media
- Video & social media planning
- Digital media buying collaboration
- MediaOcean / MediaTools / comScore
- Consumer-packaged goods (CPG) or fast-moving consumer goods experience preferred
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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