MARS is focused on creating pure shopper delight—an invitation for shoppers to do more than just buy brands. It’s getting them to actually share their lives with those brands. That moment when a shopper physically touches a brand is the culmination of everything we do. And that brand needs to touch her back- her heart, her mind and her sense of what’s possible.

MARS is the number one shopper marketing agency in North America. We hone our craft by unlocking shopper insights and leveraging deep retailer knowledge to create memorable, profitable shopper connections.  Our clients are national Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers—names you know and trust. Our team is composed of people with various backgrounds, but they share a talent for bringing thought leadership to our clients.

MARS is currently looking for an Account Planning Director for our Purchase, NY office. The Account Planning Director serves as a key member of the agency team, collaborating with account service, channel marketing and creative teams to develop a framework for strategic solutions and building positive relationships with clients.  This role leads the consumer understanding, strategic and communications planning and thought leadership for the agency.

What You'll Do:

·        Provide ongoing thought leadership and consumer trend analysis

·        Manage research pertaining to strategy and creative development

·        Develop, interpret and apply learning from qualitative and quantitative research

·        Ideation and workshop moderation

·        Establish solid working relationships with staff in the account service, channel marketing, creative, media and integrated marketing resources departments

·        Remain current on planning, communications and client industry news

·        Other duties as assigned

·        Travel required on an as-needed basis

What You Can Bring to Us:

·        Bachelor’s degree or greater

·        Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategy and planning

·        Proven leadership and organizational skills

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·        Self-starter with strong problem solving ability

·        Capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously

·        Able to maintain and grow relationships

·        High level of energy and enthusiasm

·        Comfortable with high pressure, fluid and ambiguous situations

·        Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required