Senior Planner  

The senior planner is one of the key people responsible in the crafting of the message that needs to be communicated in order to elicit a desired response that helps our clients achieve their goals. He/she is expected to take the lead on matters relating to the business, marketing and communication challenges regarding the client and developing plans to help overcome them.

Description of key tasks involved in this role:

• Define the business situation and task:

The state of affairs in the client’s world and the task they have handed over to us at the moment.

• Arriving at the problem:

What is the biggest barrier, if resolved will help achieve the client’s ambition

• What opportunity can help overcome this challenge.

It could be an opportunity that comes from the lives of the consumers, culture, category, business environment, or any other place.

• What is the strategic task for the agency:

What does we need to do to tap into this opportunity so as to overcome our challenge and achieve the goals.

• Being the voice of the consumer and the brand

Maintaining at all points in time, the balance between the brand and the consumer in a manner in which they are able to relate to each other better

• Thinking proactively:

Your job is not limited to answering the briefs at hand but need to think proactively on the client’s business, keeping a tab on the category, bringing fresh perspective from outside the category, predicting challenges and hunting for opportunities.

• Remaining curious:

As a planner, you will also be expected to work on projects outside of immediate client businesses. These could be in areas of your interest that would help you mature and sharpen your thinking.

• Measurement of success:

You will also be required to set in the right measures for evaluation the effectiveness of the agency’s work in achieving the client’s objectives. Also, you will have to keep a close eye on these measurements for opportunities to optimize at any point in time. Campaigns delivering exceptional performance are to be converted into cases.

• A combination of analytical skills, curiosity, and a strong interest in people;
• Shrewd common sense and commercial awareness;
• Strong communication skills;
• The ability to work as part of a team and listening skills when dealing with consumers, clients and colleagues;
• Solid presentation skills;
• Ability to think strategically;
• Ability to work with a range of market and research information;
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.