Senior Media Manager

The Senior Media Manager will be responsible for driving offline-led media planning and buying across a portfolio of clients, while ensuring media strategies are holistically integrated with digital touchpoints to deliver cohesive and effective communication plans.

This role is primarily focused on traditional media channels (TV, radio, OOH, print, cinema), with added responsibility for digital integration, coordination, and strategic alignment, working closely with specialist digital teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Offline Media Strategy, Planning & Buying

1. Lead offline media planning and buying across TV, radio, OOH, print, and cinema.
2. Translate client briefs into well-researched, insight-led offline media strategies and detailed media plans.
3. Develop clear, compelling offline media strategy presentations & oversee media plan development and implementation, incorporating clear rationale, audience insights, and market research to secure client buy in.
4. Manage offline media budgets, track spends, and ensure campaigns are delivered accurately and efficiently.
5. Be involved in all offline media negotiations, working closely with senior leadership and investment team.
6. Ensure flawless execution of offline campaigns through close coordination with planners and coordinators.
7. Monitor campaign delivery and performance against agreed offline KPIs and benchmarks.

Digital Media Integration & Coordination

1. Ensure digital media plans are strategically aligned with offline media strategies
2. Collaborate with digital planning and performance teams to align audiences, messaging and phasing.
3. Contribute to high level digital planning inputs without owning day-to-day platform execution
4. Review digital media plans to ensure alignment with the overarching media strategy.
5. Support integrated reporting by connecting offline performance with digital outcomes.
6. Stay informed on digital trends impacting offline media effectiveness.

Client & Business Management

1. Drive integrated media strategy for a portfolio of accounts, with a strong offline planning lens.
2. Grow the business with existing and new clients by delivering consistently high standards of service and media thinking.
3. Lead day-to-day and longer-term account activities to ensure smooth running and strong client relationships.
4. Attend and contribute meaningfully at client meetings, presenting offline media strategies and recommendations with clarity and confidence.
5. Keep senior management informed of key client opportunities, potential risks, and other nuances impacting account health.
6. Play an active role in new business development, pitch presentations, and budgeting requests.

Vendor & Supplier Management

1. Maintain productive, high-level working relationships with media vendors and suppliers.
2. Build trust and confidence with buying partners through regular communication and collaboration.
3. Stay informed on vendor offerings, market developments, and media opportunities, sharing relevant insights internally.
4. Ensure strong coordination between vendors and internal teams for seamless campaign delivery.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

1. Responsible for training, managing, motivating, developing, and evaluating junior team members.
2. Interface with department heads to share ideas, communicate service offerings, and identify new solutions for clients.
3. Play an integral role in fostering a collaborative, high performance team structure.

Skills & Experience:

• 57 years of experience in media planning and buying, with strong offline media expertise.
• Solid understanding of traditional media channels and buying mechanics.
• Working knowledge of digital media planning and how it integrates with offline.
• Strong client-facing, presentation, and negotiation support skills.
• Proven ability to manage media budgets and multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing and developing junior team members.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and commercially aware.