Are you a strategic media planner who looks at a spreadsheet and sees a story? Do you love the challenge of balancing traditional channels with cutting-edge digital tactics? At Balcom, we aren’t waiting around to see how AI and emerging tech will reshape advertising — we’re actively building the future of media. We’re looking for a Senior Media Planner to serve as a team’s strategic voice, translating complex client briefs into strategic, innovative media plans that drive real business results.

Why You’ll Love Working at Balcom

The diversity of our client mix means you’ll never be bored. From tractors to food, from hospitals to festivals, we work with some of the biggest companies in their industries. We offer a culture that prioritizes your growth, well-being, and future:

• Flexible Environment: We have a fully remote work environment while we search for our next building, transitioning to an optional hybrid model in the future.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Health insurance (with employer contributions), dental, vision, pet insurance, and flexible HSA/FSA options.
• Family First: Paid maternity and paternity leave, plus a childcare spending account for pre-tax savings.
• Time to Recharge: Generous vacation, sick leave, personal time off, paid holidays, and a bonus paid week off while the agency is closed between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Continuous Learning: A company-provided MasterClass subscription to keep your skills sharp, alongside a culture that encourages AI exploration.
• Future Security: 401(k) eligibility after one year of employment.

The Impact You’ll Make

As a Senior Media Planner, you’ll partner closely with Account Management and Creative teams to guide campaigns toward success.

1. Architect Media Strategy
   • Develop comprehensive, integrated media plans across traditional (broadcast, OOH, print), digital, programmatic and paid social channels.
   • Translate client media briefs, target audience insights and budgets into final planning sheets and Authorizations to Buy (ATBs).
   • Conduct deep-dive audience and competitive research using tools like MRI-Simmons, comScore and other platform data—turning numbers into action.
2. Drive Innovation & Growth
   • Utilize emerging technologies and AI-driven platforms to refine audience targeting, campaign modeling and predictive planning.
   • Provide forward-thinking, strategic recommendations to internal teams and clients.
   • Support new business projects, mapping out media mixes and defending rationale during pitches.
3. Champion Campaign Quality
   • Serve as the critical quality assurance (QA) checkpoint, reviewing campaign builds created by the Paid Media Manager to ensure perfect targeting, flighting and budget alignment before launch.
   • Monitor high-level budget pacing to keep delivery strictly aligned with strategic goals.

What You Bring to the Team

• Experience: 3–6 years of media planning experience within an agency setting, with a proven track record of independently developing and presenting integrated plans across traditional and digital channels.
• Platform Expertise: Hands-on experience with digital and programmatic planning tools (e.g., The Trade Desk, StackAdapt, MediaForce/Galeforce).
• Data Fluency: Proficiency with audience research tools (e.g., MRI-Simmons, comScore) and a strong command of media math (reach/frequency modeling, CPM/CPV, budget allocations, etc.).
• Tech Curiosity: Invested in how AI-powered planning tools and emerging tech are updating the media landscape.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication; you are a polished presenter who can explain the "why" behind the numbers.
• Authorization: Must be legally able to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.