Marketing today is complex, rapid‑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?

As Planning Manager at Starcom, you’ll be at the heart of media planning craft, working with an innovative and forward-thinking client that values fresh ideas, considered thinking, and measurable results. You’ll work on a globally recognised premium consumer brand, developing and leading implementation planning across all channels and through the entire funnel.

This role is ideal for someone who is genuinely interested in the thinking behind great media. You’ll enjoy getting under the skin of audiences, understanding the role of each channel and using insight to create planning solutions that are both imaginative and commercially grounded.

You’ll bring clarity to briefs, maintain a high standard of planning rigour and client service, and confidently communicate recommendations to clients and stakeholders.

Just as important as your experience is the attitude you bring. We’re looking for someone curious, collaborative and proactive. You’ll be comfortable getting into the detail while keeping sight of the bigger strategic opportunity.

For a planner who wants to deepen their craft, broaden their strategic media capabilities and make a visible contribution to ambitious client work, this is an opportunity to make your mark at Starcom.

What will your day-to-day look like?

- Own the planning craft across your campaigns, turning client briefs, audience insights and business objectives into clear, compelling communications and channel plans.
- Manage integrated media recommendations across traditional and digital channels, considering the role each channel plays throughout the customer journey.
- Bring fresh thinking to every brief, challenging the obvious answer, exploring emerging opportunities and helping a progressive client stay ahead of a rapidly changing media landscape.
- Connect strategy to execution, partnering with strategy, activation and specialist teams to ensure strong thinking translates into brilliant delivery.
- Build trusted client relationships, confidently presenting recommendations,



sharing your point of view and keeping clients informed about relevant shifts in media and consumer behaviour.
- Champion the quality of the planning product, bringing rigour, attention to detail and high standards to everything the team produces.
- Manage campaigns with commercial discipline, keeping a close eye on budgets, forecasting, timelines and delivery.
- Support and develop junior talent, sharing your knowledge and creating an environment where people feel encouraged to contribute ideas and build their craft.
- Make your mark on the account, bringing curiosity, energy and ideas rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

What will set you up for success?

- Solid communications and cross-channel planning experience within a media agency environment. Exposure to working on a luxury client will be highly regarded (though not essential).
- Strong client service skills, with the confidence to build relationships and ability to work effectively across strategy, activation and specialist teams.
- Integrated thinking, with the ability to see how different channels and specialist disciplines can come together.
- Commercial awareness and excellent attention to detail, balancing ambitious thinking with the realities of budgets, timelines and client objectives.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality of the work.
- Experience supporting or developing junior team members, with a willingness to share knowledge and help others grow.
- Familiarity with industry-standard media planning tools, alongside confidence using Excel and PowerPoint.
- A genuine passion for media planning craft, with an interest in audiences, channels, culture and how great media can influence behaviour and deliver business outcomes.
- Curiosity, energy, ownership, and an appetite to keep learning.

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 advantages 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 Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Starcom Australia
📍 Melbourne