Integrated Planning Specialist - red deer

About Epitaph

Media has lost its way. Bloated plans. Lazy metrics. Decisions made by dashboards instead of people. At Epitaph, we’re here to fix that. We’re an independent media agency built for brands that deserve better, and we believe in Media Done Right. That means media as a craft, not a commodity. Strategy driven by context, not just data. And advertising that doesn’t just reach people, but actually moves them. We work with some of the most ambitious brands in Canada and the U.S., across every category you can imagine. We help them grow. Not just spend.

About the Role

We’re searching for a Specialist, Integrated Planning who’s done with the endless conveyor belt of half‑baked media plans. If you see through the jargon, if you’re tired of recycled dashboards and empty “solutions,” and if you hunger for real, strategic work—welcome to Epitaph. Here, you’ll join our sharp Strategy and Planning team. Your job? Not to check boxes or polish PowerPoints for the data landfill, but to make brands matter. You’ll roll up your sleeves, cut through the noise, and deliver campaigns that don’t just fill space, but spark real action. If you’re ready to toss lazy metrics in the trash and replace them with true impact, you’re in the right place. At Epitaph, real media planners treat this work as a craft—not a commodity. You’ll bring client visions to life, owning the gritty, hands‑on work that keeps us honest and keeps brands from sinking into the static.

Your Impact

• Get to know your clients’ businesses and brands inside‑out—no shallow dives here.
• Support the squad in developing strategic media plans, beginning with deep, honest analysis that leads to clear, actionable campaigns.
• Dig into 3rd party research tools (Arima, Vividata, Commspoint, etc.) and our own in‑house resources to unearth insights worth more than buzzword bingo.
• Hunt for communications opportunities that aren’t just “best practices”—but actually best for the brand.
• Keep media and agency partners in the loop, so nothing ends up in the junk folder.
• Organize campaign specs and timelines so the work stays sharp and the garbage stays out.
• Keep the daily gears turning: status docs, finances, campaign updates, and all the real work that makes a difference.
• Own ongoing campaign management and stewardship—no “set it and forget it” here.
• Manage finances with care, collaborating with our finance team to keep budgets on track and clients clear‑eyed on spend. No smoke and mirrors.
• Build genuine relationships across agencies and partners to make sure ideas sell themselves—no empty pitches, just honest value.

Your Qualifications

• College Diploma or bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, business administration, communications, or comparable experience—real‑world hustle counts.
• 1.5 years of media experience, preferably in planning, not just buying impressions by the pound.
• Proven experience presenting to clients and reporting without the fluff.
• Solid knowledge of integrated media planning and digital buying—know what works and what’s filler.
• Expert in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), because sometimes real work gets done in spreadsheets.
• Comfortable and capable with 3rd party syndicated research tools—the kind that deliver substance, not surface.

Your Qualities

• Live and breathe Epitaph’s values: entrepreneurial grit, curiosity, inclusivity, sincerity, adaptability, reliability, and actual teamwork (not just #TeamSpirit posts).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills—say it straight, say it well.
• Master of time management, organization, and prioritization, especially when deadlines loom and projects pile up.
• Self‑starter, proactive, and always thinking ahead—no waiting for instructions to land in your inbox.
• Collaborative, but not afraid to challenge groupthink.
• Thrive in a rapid‑paced environment—embrace the frenzy, don’t add to the chaos.
• Customer service skills that actually serve the customer, not just the process.
• Comfortable in the grey areas—flexible, adaptive, and always ready to pitch in.
• Confident with numbers and budgets, and you know that “optimization” means more than cutting corners.

Salary Range: $55,000–$60,000 CAD annually, plus eligibility for an annual bonus.