About Us

Marketing today is complex, fast‑moving and under constant pressure - but that’s where we do our best work.

At Starcom, we believe progress comes from focus. In a world of endless data, accelerating technology and constant change, we help brands move beyond what they could do and concentrate on what they should do to drive real growth.

Our Focus Framework gives our people the clarity to identify the audiences, ideas, media, and metrics that matter most - turning complexity into impact and ambition into results.

If you’re motivated by smart thinking, meaningful collaboration, and the opportunity to make a real difference, you’ll find your unfair advantage here.

Starcom. Focus For Growth.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a Planning Director to join Starcom and take a leading role one of the agency’s longest-standing client partnerships.

This is a brilliant opportunity for an ambitious media planner and client service lead, who’s ready for broader ownership. You’ll lead the day-to-day client relationship, shape the strategic media planning product and guide a collaborative team across planning, strategy, investment and activation.

Your primary patch will be across a prominent automotive client, where you’ll have the opportunity to challenge established thinking, bring proactive ideas to the table and help shape how your client/brand connects with audiences across traditional and digital media. You’ll also play an important role in developing the team, building strong client relationships and turning great strategic thinking into media recommendations that deliver.

If you’re a relationship led Manager/Senior Manager with strong media planning foundations, excellent problem-solving skills, and strategic chops, this is an opportunity to step up and make your mark.

What will your day-to-day look like?

- Lead the day-to-day client relationship, managing priorities and briefs while proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen the work and partnership.
- Lead integrated media planning from brief and communications strategy through to activation, ensuring recommendations are strategically rigorous, innovative and connected to business objectives.
- Bring strong planning craft across traditional and digital media, helping evolve the channel approach as consumer behaviour and the category continue to change.
- Work collaboratively across strategy, investment, activation and partner agencies to turn planning thinking into effective execution.
- Lead the development of media concepts, communications plans and recommendations, combining insight, planning rigour and cutting-edge thinking.
- Oversee campaign planning and delivery across retail periods, brand and model launches, and always-on activity.
- Coach and develop team members through clear direction,



thoughtful delegation and ongoing feedback.
- Manage commercial considerations across the account, including revenue forecasting, scope and opportunities for organic growth.
- Stay curious about emerging media, technology and AI, bringing relevant ideas and opportunities to the client and team.

What will set you up for success?

- 4+ years’ experience in media planning or client management within a media agency, with the ability to translate briefs and strategy into clear, robust media recommendations (some experience working on an automotive client will be highly regarded, though not essential).
- Solid communications planning experience across digital and traditional media, including an understanding of TV planning fundamentals.
- Confidence building trusted client relationships, presenting recommendations and navigating complex briefs and competing priorities.
- Experience working across integrated teams and collaborating effectively with strategy, investment, activation and partner agencies.
- Experience coaching, mentoring or managing others, with a genuine interest in helping people develop.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the curiosity to challenge established approaches and explore new opportunities.
- A commercial mindset and exposure to client commercial conversations, forecasting or account growth.
- Familiarity with industry planning and audience tools such as AQX, Nielsen, GWI and Roy Morgan, alongside robust Excel and PowerPoint capability.
- An interest in using AI and emerging tools to improve thinking and ways of working.
- A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to bring clarity and momentum when managing multiple priorities.
- Curiosity, adaptability and a passion for developing people and building meaningful relationships.

Additional Information

Be a part of the Publicis Groupe family, recent winner of the Employer of Choice Awards and one of the world's most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses. You can learn more about us at www.publicisgroupeanz.com.

Enjoy all the benefits that come with our network offering:

- A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting physical, mindful, and financial wellbeing.
- A creative, lively, and rewarding office environment where people love working with each other, supported by our Publicis Liberté flexibility approach — "working your way with us."
- Access to our Global AI Platform Marcel,



connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network.
- Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform, Marcel Classes.
- A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program.
- A committed Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva Women, Égalité, enABLE, EmbRACE, and Écologique committees.
- Leave benefits including Birthday Leave, Flexible Public Holidays, and an additional 5 days of leave after 2 years of service.
- Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year.
- Parental leave policy with up to 18 weeks based on tenure, paid primary carer leave, secondary carer swap, and Cub Care leave.
- Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder, an all-in-one digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs.
- A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life-threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge: https://workingwithcancerpledge.com/
- Proud partners of Diversity Council Australia, Pride in Diversity, Family Friendly Workplaces, Supply Nation, and the Australian Disability Network.

If you don't tick every box in this ad, please don't rule yourself out. Research suggests that women and other people in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We focus on hiring people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness, and integrity rather than ticking boxes — so if this role resonates with you, please apply.

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words; these are part of our DNA.

At Publicis

Groupe, we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge, and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions.

Uniqueness is powerful; without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. So be you — we like it that way.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process. If you need any assistance or adjustments, please contact us via [email protected]; your personal information will be kept confidential.

📌 Planning Director (Sydney)
🏢 Starcom Australia
📍 Sydney