Connections Planning Manager

Who We Are

Hatched is a proudly independent, purpose-led, and driven by a desire to do work that delivers genuine impact for our clients, our industry, and our people.

We’re looking for a Connections Planning Manager to join our growing Planning & Strategy team in Melbourne. This role is perfect for someone with a few years of media experience under their belt who’s ready to apply their strategic thinking and channel expertise to campaigns for our varied clients.

What’s the Role About?

As a Connections Planning Manager, you’ll help steer the strategic direction of campaigns through smart, evidence-led media channel recommendations. You’ll work closely with our Associate Planning Director, client solutions teams, and specialists across digital, investment and strategy to ensure our plans are not only best in class—but also tightly connected to the broader communications platform and client objectives.

This role is all about:

• Leading the channel strategy for campaign responses
• Using data, tools and insight to inform and justify planning decisions
• Collaborating closely with internal teams to embed planning principles into every stage of the campaign
• Helping upskill others and raise the profile of Connections Planning across the agency

What You’ll Do

Crafting Strategy & Planning

• Support Tier 1 campaign responses by assisting with discovery and data analysis using tools like Commspoint, Roy Morgan Asteroid and AdIntel+.
• Lead the channel planning for Tier 2 campaign responses, consulting with the Associate Planning Director and collaborating with Client Solutions Managers and Directors to bring responses to life
• Help ensure our comms platforms translate into smart, actionable connections plans that are easy for clients to understand and buy into
• Guide and support the Client Solutions team in building Tier 3 campaign responses, providing planning input without owning client presentation responsibilities
• Ensure planning principles and insights flow through to campaign activation, optimisation, and reporting

Tools, Data & Insight

• Confidently use planning tools such as Commspoint Influence + Journey, AdIntel+, Roy Morgan Asteroid, Nielsen, and others to inform decisions
• Interpret and manipulate different datasets across audience, sales, and brand health to inform plans and recommendations
• Support the team in upskilling on planning tools and help embed a culture of evidence-based thinking

Leadership & Influence

• Help raise the visibility of the Connections Planning function at Hatched by sharing highlights and updates in all-staff meetings and industry forums
• Champion a culture of planning excellence across client teams, partnering closely with Client Solutions Managers to elevate campaign thinking
• Stay curious and bring interesting trends, case studies, or approaches to the wider team

Who You Are

• You’ve got 3+ years of media agency or client-side experience, ideally with exposure to media planning or strategic roles
• You’re curious, analytical, and love turning data into clear, actionable thinking
• Confident using and interpreting planning tools and audience datasets
• A great communicator who enjoys collaborating with different teams
• Passionate about elevating media plans through smart, insight-led channel thinking
• Keen to help others grow and lift the standard of work across the agency

Location & Ways of Working

This role is Melbourne-based with a hybrid working model. You’ll be based at our Chapel Street office in Windsor, with at least 3 days in the office.

Why Hatched?

We’re not your average media agency. Hatched is one of Australia’s largest Independent media agencies. We strive to be agents of change in our industry and beyond offering;

A truly flexible workplace; hybrid working with 3 days a week in the office

A best in class parental leave policy

5 days of wellbeing leave and your birthday off too!

A collaborative, fun and supportive team that wants you to grow

Real learning and development opportunities from day one

A dog-friendly office (yes, really) and great coffee on tap

Exposure to some of the best media minds and clients in the business