Associate Director, Media Planning

Description
We're Future, a global leader in specialist media. Our 3,000+ employees power more than 200 trusted brands, helping millions of people discover expert content that informs, inspires, and drives action. Through our websites, magazines, events, newsletters, podcasts, and social channels, we connect passionate audiences with the topics they care about most.

As an Associate Director within the Media Planning team, you will sit at the center of revenue growth for a high-impact vertical, owning the planning strategy behind media investments and partnerships. You’ll operate as a true player‑coach, personally leading media planning while developing and elevating a team of planners. You’ll help to shape go‑to‑market strategy, influence pricing and packaging, and directly impact how we win and grow business.

What You’ll Do
You will report into the Group Executive Director, Planning & Strategy

Intimate competitive knowledge of building media plans across scalable budgets anchored in custom content, video and social media, along with 360 integrated content mix including events, influencer / creators, etc.

Work alongside Sales, Integrated Marketing, Branded Content, Social Strategy and Influencer teams to brainstorm and build strategic media plans based on advertiser objectives and KPIs

Manage and develop a team of 2–3 Media Planners, elevating both output quality and strategic thinking

Maintain a deep understanding of Future’s Women’s Lifestyle business offerings, rate card and site capabilities

Strategically build partner specific rate cards for the categories under Women’s Lifestyle in partnership with sellers in effort to grow accounts and secure upfront partnerships

Support Sales team in client and deal management throughout pre‑sale process, responding to client needs surrounding budget changes, media plan revisions, marketplace/ site information and benchmarks

Support in packaging new category specific opportunities to bring to market

Possess intimate knowledge of client(s) within Fashion, Beauty, and Home categories, understanding the competitive landscape, industry trends, and overall marketing goals

Play a critical role in pipeline tracking and processing of deals within our customer relationship management and order management systems

Possess strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to use sales tactics to carry client communication from RFP through deal close

Work closely with Ad Operations team as it relates to site and product capabilities as well as site inventory to inform the team’s planning strategy

Understand marketplace dynamics and be an industry expert

Experience That Will Put You Ahead Of The Curve

Bachelor’s Degree

7+ years experience in media planning/account management

Experience in building media plans required

Proficiency in CRM (i.e. Salesforce) and OMS (i.e. Operative.One)

Understanding of rates types and performance metrics within digital media landscape

Experience media planning for native content required

Must be extremely detail oriented with exceptional organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of ad specs and 3rd party tracking capabilities required

Compensation and Benefits
The expected range for this role is $86,000 - $110,000

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401k plus a company match

Uncapped leave, because we trust you to manage your workload and time

When we hit our targets, enjoy a share of our profits with a bonus

Refer a friend and get rewarded when they join Future

Well‑being support with access to our Colleague Assistant Programs

Opportunity to purchase shares in Future with our Share Incentive Plan

Internal job family level Commercial 4

This is a hybrid role from our New York office, working two days from the office and three from home.

Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity is central to who we are. We believe different perspectives spark new ideas, fuel creativity, and drive innovation. That's why we're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We're dedicated to fair and inclusive hiring practices and welcome talent from all backgrounds, because diverse teams build stronger futures.

Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments.

#J-18808-Ljbffr