Digital Media Planning Lead

Dentsu is a network designed for what’s next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities and create new paths to growth in the sustainable economy through five global leadership brands : Carat, Dentsu Creative, dentsu X, iProspect and Merkle, each with deep specialisms. Operating in over 145 markets worldwide with more than 66,000 dedicated specialists and partnering with 95 of the top 100 global advertisers our collective vision is to be at the forefront of people-centred transformations that shape society. We are now excited to invite applications for the role of Associate Vice President - Investment Media (Digital) with our awesome team in Mumbai. Role Summary : Brand within Dentsu Internationa l : Dentsu Job Title : Director / Sr. Director - Investment (Digital Media) Location : Mumbai Experience : Minimum 10 years of experience in digital media trading, investment, or buying within a top-tier media agency. ( Experience from other industries will not be considered for this position ) Job Summary : We are seeking a strategic and digitally savvy Director / Senior Director – Investment (Digital Media Buying) to lead digital buying initiatives, strengthen publisher partnerships, and drive performance-led investments. This role demands a strong understanding of the digital media ecosystem, proven negotiation skills, and the ability to manage high-impact client relationships independently. Responsibilities : Strategic & Operational Leadership Lead digital media investment strategy across clients, ensuring delivery on KPIs and savings. Oversee digital media buying across platforms, including programmatic and performance channels. Negotiate effectively with publishers, ensuring best-in-market rates, inventory quality, and value additions. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the digital ecosystem, including ad tech, platforms, and emerging trends. Develop and manage strong publisher and vendor relationships to optimize media performance. Client & Business Management Independently manage client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for all investment discussions. Confidently explain the digital ecosystem and buying approach to clients, ensuring clarity and confidence in decision-making. Collaborate with planning, strategy, and performance teams to align buying strategies with business goals. Support new business pitches and presentations, clearly articulating digital media strategies and investment rationale. Prepare and deliver impactful PPT presentations for internal and client-facing reviews. Team & Performance Management Lead and mentor a small team (2–3 members) while managing day-to-day investment responsibilities independently. Drive excellence in campaign delivery, cost optimization, and process compliance. Conduct post-campaign analysis, benchmarking, and deliver actionable insights for future planning. Innovation & Growth Drive adoption of programmatic and performance-led buying within client portfolios. Identify opportunities for innovation across platforms and ad formats to enhance ROI. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build robust, data-driven media solutions. Qualifications : Education : Graduate / Postgraduate in Marketing, Business, Mass Communication, or related field. Experience : 10+ years of relevant experience in digital media buying, investment, or programmatic / performance marketing, preferably in a media agency. Strong expertise in the digital ecosystem – including publishers, ad networks, DSPs, and social platforms. Proven track record of negotiating publisher rates and delivering measurable client savings. Ability to independently manage clients and confidently present digital investment strategies. Excellent skills in MS PowerPoint, Excel, and campaign analytics tools. Strong understanding of media planning, performance metrics, and campaign optimization. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. To apply, pls apply here as well as send us your updated CV mentioning the below details to (so we are able to process your candidature faster) : Email subject : Ref : LinkedIn – Director / Sr. Director - Investment (Digital Media) with Dentsu, Mumbai Name : Current company : Designation : Total years of experience in digital media investment / buying : Are you comfortable working from the office location (Mumbai) : Annual CTC : Expected CTC : Notice period : Please attach your CV. We thank you for sending us your profile & details for this role. If your profile gets shortlisted for roles with us, we look forward to a conversation with you to learn about more of what makes you awesome! Become a champion for meaningful progress : Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures. If you want to belong to a one global network where opportunities are limitless – we look forward to welcoming you. Sound exactly like the sort of role for you? Apply now!!!