Planner, Media Platforms (SEM) - Pharmaceutical Agency

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey where your talents are valued and your potential is limitless? At Deerfield, we believe in fostering a culture of excellence, where every team member is empowered to make a difference and contribute to our collective success.

Deerfield is the marketing and communications partner of choice. Purpose-built to scale with our clients, our specialist teams craft stories that matter and bridge meaningful connections to advance healthcare products to the people who need them most. Our full-service capabilities are rooted in storytelling and powered by technology to deliver focused strategy, optimized execution, and tangible outcomes. Further, our flexible working model allows us to scale and grow alongside our clients – whether providing expert consultation, serving as a strategic executional partner, or acting as full agency of record.

We are built to serve and designed to deliver.

Position Summary

As a Planner, Media Platforms (SEM), you will play a key role in executing and optimizing high-impact search strategies for our healthcare and pharmaceutical clients. In this role, you will manage the day-to-day operations of paid search campaigns, ensuring that patients and HCPs (Healthcare Professionals) find the vital information they need at the moment of intent. You will bridge the gap between media strategy and technical execution, ensuring compliance with strict industry regulations while maximizing ROI. You will collaborate closely with internal teams to develop data-driven media plans, manage platform execution, and optimize campaigns for performance.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in media planning and activation, understands audience segmentation, and thrives in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. This role requires strong analytical skills, a passion for healthcare marketing, and a keen ability to translate insights into high-impact media campaigns.

At Deerfield, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic work environment, so if this role and our culture excite you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not have the exact experience or meet all requirements outlined in this job posting. Our HR team will review your resume and experience to see if you align at a different level or possibly better align to other open positions.

Key Responsibilities

Media Planning & Strategy

• Develop and execute comprehensive multi-channel media plans that integrate paid search (SEM) strategies with broader client objectives and target audience behavior.
• Conduct in-depth keyword research and search intent analysis to inform media strategy, platform selection, and budget allocation.
• Analyze audience data and research insights to inform media strategy and platform selection and identify high-value search terms and emerging media trends, technologies, and innovations that can enhance campaign effectiveness.
• Collaborate with creative, strategy, and analytics teams to ensure media plans support broader campaign goals.

Campaign Execution & Optimization

• Own platform execution and day-to-day management across digital media channels (specifically, Google Ads, Bing Ads, paid social, programmatic, search, display, etc.).
• Manage daily bid strategies and budget pacing to maximize Impression Share and efficiency.
• Monitor and manage campaign pacing, optimization strategies, and performance metrics to ensure KPIs are met.
• Build bulksheets, tracking URLs and launch campaigns.
• Oversee ad copy testing and landing page recommendations to improve Quality Scores and conversion rates.
• Analyze campaign data and provide actionable insights to improve performance and efficiency.
• Utilize A/B testing methodologies and performance analysis to refine targeting, messaging, keywords, and placements.

Collaboration & Client Support

• Partner with Account and Strategy teams to present media plans, keyword insights, and recommendations to clients.
• Serve as a trusted media expert in discussions with internal teams and external vendors regarding SEM best practices and platform updates.
• Maintain relationships with media platform partners and stay updated on new capabilities and best practices (Pmax, AI-driven search tools).
• Provide support in reporting and performance analysis for client presentations and internal reviews.

Measurement & Reporting

• Track and analyze key performance indicators (CTR, CPC, CPA, ROAS, Quality Score) to optimize and refine media efforts.
• Develop post-campaign performance reports with insights and recommendations for future keyword expansion and media activations.
• Work with Analytics teams to ensure accurate data tracking, conversion pixel setup and reporting for all media campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or a related field.
• 2 years of experience in media planning and activation, ideally within an agency or healthcare-focused environment.
• Experience managing digital media campaigns across multiple platforms (paid search / SEM).

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of media buying platforms such as Google Ads, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), LinkedIn Ads, and programmatic DSPs.
• Strong analytical skills with Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables) and experience with reporting platforms (e.g., Google Looker Studio, Tableau).
• Proficiency in analyzing media performance metrics and optimizing campaigns based on insights.
• Knowledge of audience segmentation, targeting strategies, and customer journey mapping.
• Familiarity with healthcare marketing challenges, including regulatory considerations (HIPAA, FDA guidelines).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present insights effectively.
• Detail-oriented with strong project management skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Deerfield is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.