Connections Planner

The Connections Planner (CP) leads connections strategy, framework and planning development for all applicable campaigns as determined by the Brand Planning Executive Director. The CP represents the “journey of the customer” in the planning and connections processes. They develop and implement effective communication channel strategies, shaping how an organization connects with its audiences to meet communication goals.  

The CP will lead internal team briefings for Connections planning. The CP will work hand in hand with Brand Planning, Brand Strategy, Integrated Media Strategy & Planning, Digital Platforms and other PR/Content & Social Media team members, leaders or subject matter experts to develop personas and journey frameworks and analyze audience media consumption and behavior in order to make channel and spend recommendations as part of integrated connections planning.

Upon approval of Connections framework and strategy, the CP will guide and collaborate with Media, PR/Content, Digital Platforms and Integrated Media Search team members through the connections planning process. The CP will review and use media, PR/content, search and social media recommendations, insights and trends in plan decision-making. The CP will be included in key media, PR/content, social media, digital platforms and search planning relating to connections recommendations and be responsible for maintaining the strategy and integrity of the overall campaign. The CP will also oversee the integrated channel team through activation, measurement and optimizations in a supervisory role with specific goals of leading performance optimization decisions and client reporting.

The CP will be required to bring creative solutions to client initiatives, working in conjunction with Client Engagement, Insights and Brand Strategy, PR/Content and Social Marketing, Integrated Media, Digital Platforms and Creative team members.

This job description serves as an overall summary of responsibilities for the position outlined. Please note it is subject to change with specific expectations associated with the position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities as Connections Planner

• Lead the development of connections strategies and guide plan development for clients
• Evaluate customer and industry research, trends and insights and analyze media performance data
• Partner with Brand Strategy and/or Planning and Integrated Media team members in the development of audience profiles and journeys
• Partner with Brand Strategy and/or Planning and subject matter experts on the Media, PR/Content and Social Media teams to develop connections frameworks
• Partner with Client Engagement and subject matter experts to develop communications plans, including media channels, spend and KPI recommendations
• Partner with the integrated subject matter experts through activation and measurement to drive performance optimization decisions and client reporting
• Guide the overall Channel team members in planning and activation processes, through measurement and reporting
• Present the connections strategy to internal teams and clients
• Maintain effective relationships with clients, internal teams and media partners
• Maintain a robust knowledge of connections strategies and networks
• Bring new ideas and champion the use of integrated connections strategies to reach audiences

Additional Responsibilities as a Member of the Insights and Brand Strategy Team

• Keep up with the latest trends in integrated marketing communications, the home and building industry and other client-related industries
• Attend and actively participate in relevant team, agency and client meetings
• Be an active participant in idea generation, brainstorming and creative thinking
• Be a positive, motivating member of the team

Communication Skills

• Communicate in a clear, coherent and professional manner
• Listen well and solve problems to achieve the most effective outcome for the client, team and agency
• Develop strong relationships across the agency
• Represent the team and Wray Ward in a positive manner in all endeavors

Leadership Responsibilities

• Be a team player, inspiring trust and teamwork among the team and throughout the agency
• Demonstrate a passion for always doing the best work
• Collaborate among multiple departments effectively and efficiently
• Be accountable for delivering high-quality work on time and on budget
• Conduct business with a conscientious, straightforward and dedicated work ethic
• Respect all equally — internally and externally
• Passionately uphold the agency brand, culture and values

Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience as an omnichannel communications planner in an agency environment
• Experience developing cross-functional marketing communications plans
• Expert-level knowledge of the integrated marketing communications landscape
• Excellent interpersonal and executive-level presentation skills, demonstrating energy and passion for the work
• Effective problem-solver and generator of innovative solutions
• Focused on delivering great work, no matter how big or small the project
• Strong organizational skills to effectively manage multiple projects at a time
• Proficient in the Google Suite applications

This job description serves as an overall summary of responsibilities for the position outlined. Please note it is subject to change with specific expectations associated with the position.

Culture Alignment

At Wray Ward, we firmly believe that internal and client relationships are key to our success. Certain attitudes define how we work and are important in what we seek for our culture and mission. Our key agency attitudes are:

WE, NOT ME — We check our egos at the door. As a result, we thrive in a positive, collaborative atmosphere that welcomes diverse professionals and invites everyone to contribute their best.

ASK “WHAT IF?” — Always going beyond what is and considering what could be, we create unexpected possibilities that differentiate our brands and accelerate their success.

BE FEARLESS — Creativity demands that we hold nothing back. So we mutually support each other in speaking up, taking risks and courageously contributing audacious, unedited, unconventional ideas.

NAIL IT — Everything we do is about results. We not only achieve our clients’ goals, but also continually exceed their expectations. Every person here shares individual responsibility for their own, our agency’s and our clients’ success.

Our 39,000-square-foot home promotes collaboration and productivity through inspired meeting areas, offering natural light, vibrant colors, patterns and textures. Homelike elements are found in every corner, from the open-air roof-deck to our game room with foosball, ping-pong, Connect Five, classic board games and cornhole. Brightly colored throw pillows on sofas and our town hall meeting space, smart entertainment systems and live plants are scattered throughout. From holiday parties to movie nights, bowling and dodgeball teams to yoga and walking groups, we have a warm and inviting culture. Our office ushers us in, and it welcomes us home.

Our Mission

Day in and day out, we will passionately create the most innovative, engaging and effective work in the home category — we will live it, we will breathe it and we will own it.***

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States, as it is not the practice of Wray Ward to sponsor individuals for work visas. Wray Ward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

At Wray Ward, we strongly believe that a diverse staff and inclusive culture will greatly enrich our work, our business, our industry and our lives. We are committed to an intentional approach to listening, understanding and talking, and to using our individual and collective talent, voices and influence to drive change.

Wray Ward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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