• Lead strategic direction for consumer communications across all platforms
• Can work collaboratively with IAT partners and agencies
• Inspires creatives and has the track record to prove it
• Serves as the primary, go-to planning resource for account/creative/media team on an ongoing basis from large strategic shopper initiatives to small quick-turn projects
• Develops a strong working relationship with clients and client insights team to become their trusted strategic planning partner on day-to-day business
• Leads planning initiatives from creating the guiding strategic framework that starts with engaging target shopper, to pulling that over-arching shopper strategy down to customer specific shopper marketing plans at all major retailers
• Leads marketing communication strategy that will guide the creative team to develop effective in-store creative executions at key customers
• Follows our TPN Method to create the link between consumer motivation, shopper behaviors and retail realities to generate compelling insight-based strategies that inform remarkable creative work and effective activation plans
• Can identify the right touch points, whether it be digital or traditional, for the behavior our Clients’ brand is looking to influence, i.e., working on tactical plans collaboratively with the broader team
• Works with the VP Planning and the planning team on internal projects to keep championing the discipline
• Leads ad hoc projects as they arise, including writing for our proprietary database of insights, and providing thought leadership pieces, as needed
• Assists in New Businesses pitches as needed

• Marketing Skills
  • Consumer Marketing
  • Digital and Social Marketing
  • Industry/Customer Insight
  • Creative Strategy, Segmentation
  • Marketing Process
  • Test/Learn Results
  • Shopper and Retail
• Understands the difference between data and an insight and how to identify the latter
• Proven team and talent development skills
• Exceptional creative brief writing
• Ability to formulate smart, forward thinking POVs on industry related topics
• Experience building learning plans for both quantitative and qualitative research initiatives
• Working knowledge of common planning tools including Mintel, Experian Simmons, Path to Purchase Institute, Circana, Nielsen, NRF, Trendwatching, Numerator or Household Panel databases, Excel, PowerPoint and/or Keynote, etc.
• Ability to think in terms of the path to purchase for our Clients’ brands and has an understanding of shopper journey mapping
• Knowledge of Mass, Grocery, Club Drug, Dollar retail channels
• Compelling communication skills, ability to be the ‘center of the room’ without insisting on it
• Manages the daily priorities and identifies the next opportunities for our Clients – proactively proposing initiatives
• Builds a relationship network with our Clients across Insights, Marketing and Management functions
• Sound business and professional ethics
• BONUS SKILL SETS:
  • Moderating training and experience
  • Quantitative analytic skills
  • MBA

• Years of Experience: 5 to 8 years in Strategy Development and Planning roles
• Experience in an above-the-line agency, and/or Shopper Marketing/Activation/Promotion Agency or a Client Marketing role

• Education: Four-Year Degree (preferred but not required)
• Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Department: planning
This is a full time position