Client Associate - Zenith

The Role

Overview

Media Teams are our client facing teams in Core responsible for excellence in client service, leading

strategy development and managing the media plan.

The purpose of this role is to support the Client Managers and Senior Client Managers in the day to

day running of client accounts; and handle the administration of excellent media delivery across

many clients. It requires the use of media planning tools, the effective management of the media

planning processes, excellent attention to detail for accurate reporting and time management to

ensure best in class delivery on behalf of the media team for clients. It also requires strong

collaboration and communication with the wider organisation across the Central Team to ensure

that delivery is to the highest standards.

A strong working relationship with colleagues, particularly the Channel Planning and

Investment teams, is a crucial element of this role.

Media Team Client Associates have a very structured learning programme in place, delivered by the

best trainers in the industry. The purpose of this is to ensure a consistent level of knowledge

covering everything from the basics to advanced areas of media planning.

Quality control of output will be critical to this role.

Responsibilities/ Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

Central to this role is a clear understanding of media planning principles and an ability to interpret

plans at a high level.

This role is central to the efficient and effective running of the day-to-day client service

team, including working with the Client Manager to help with the actualisation of media plans,

monitoring of POs, timely and accurate billing, using agency tools to develop audience and

competitive reporting, creating presentations of competitor insights, ideation and working with the

team to deliver innovation.

As part of this, our Client Associates will have a specific role in helping to execute each team’s Client

Satisfaction Plans, which would be defined depending on the client team.

The Client Associate will work closely with the Channel Planning and Investment teams, will manage

the delivery of the media plan, and will ensure that it is aligned with the overall media rationale.

This will all be delivered accurately and by adhering to processes as outlined in our ways of working.

KPIs will include unbilled %, efficient resolution of media queries, accuracy of reporting and

“Delivery” client service scores in the annual RADAR service review.

AGENCY PERFORMANCE

• Generating reports that deliver actionable insight for clients e.g. using tools such as Adintel,
  
  

TGI, Techedge etc.

• Listens actively to understand client needs
• Assisting in the creation and development world class media strategies that can be turned
  
  

into media plans that are based on best practice planning as taught through Core Learning

• Working with the Client Manager on the management of campaign from start to
  
  

end, essentially project managing the campaign (dealing with client queries, coordinating

reports, monitoring, ensuring plans are audit ready, liaising with the digital specialists to

monitor campaign delivery, etc)

• Learning about all media channels and the rate at which they contribute to the overall plan
  
  

Internal coordination with Core Practices and Central Teams on live campaign queries

including delivery updates, trans times and pacing reports

• Update clients on key peak spots in launch week of activity
• Develop reports on both routine and ad hoc basis, as well as implementing
  
  

recommendations from Client Manager/Senior Client Manager based on the data

• Liaising with the Creative Agency and OOH agencies for delivery of creative assets
• Develop an understanding of each Practice and Central Team within Core and what it
  
  

contributes to the overall plan

• Validate campaign delivery and performance
• Help to project manage post-campaign reviews for clients, as well as populate information
  
  

into client-friendly presentation

• Helping prep media presentations
• Helping to coordinate media owner briefs and delivery
• Working with the Client Manager to ensure all plans are audit ready each month
• Adopt and embrace an accuracy culture by having and supporting excellent attention to
  
  

detail

• Where required, screenshots of digital activity, or page positions in press may also need to
  
  

be monitored and reported on

COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE

• Helping with the collection and reconciliation of client ensuring effective and efficient
  
  

month end billing in conjunction with the Media Operations Associate

• Helping with reconciliation of all media plans at month end to reflect delivery
• Main responsibility for billing at the end of each month (reviewed by team)
• Ensure all billing is 100% accurate and on time for clients, and particularly on new out of
  
  

scope projects, with correct booking category being used to easily and accurately identify

progress.

• Ensure timesheets are updated weekly and that they accurately reflect the time spent on
  
  

our clients’ businesses.

TALENT MANAGEMENT

• Commit to the internal Core Learning programme(s) and the defined training track to be
  
  

completed in your first year; and regularly attend training for your development proactively,

outside of formal scheduled training time

• Helping to drive and build culture, creating a fun working and learning environment
• Collaborate closely with the Client Director to ensure your personal development
  
  

requirements are met

• Ensure a strong comprehension and commitment to your career development plan in line
  
  

with your 360 appraisal, quarterly catch up’s and goals

• Uphold Core’s values in words and actions
• Proactively build relationships within the wider company
  
  

Your profile

Experience

• No previous experience of media planning is required but an interest in media planning and
  
  

buying is essential

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and
  
  

PowerPoint

• High level of business acumen
  
  

Person Specification

• Be energetic and efficient in approach
• Actively display a passion for the industry
• Strong attention to detail
• Show curiosity in learning new things at a fast pace every day
• Excellent interpersonal skills- ability to build strong relationships with colleagues across
  
  

Core, clients and media owners

• Display the ability to think innovatively
• Understands the importance of upskilling
• Understands and appreciates the benefit of processes
• Be responsive to requests
• Know when to escalate and involve other people
  
  

Why us?

What’s in it for you?

• Work your way – enjoy flexible, hybrid working that fits around your life
• Never stop growing – 24/7 access to LinkedIn Learning, plus clear career progression and mentoring support
• Variety that excites – collaborate with an incredible mix of clients across sport, retail, food & drink, alcohol, insurance, banking and more
• Grow with us – real opportunities to develop and progress within the business
• Time to recharge – 21 days annual leave, your birthday off, Christmas closure days, and early finishes on bank holiday Fridays
• Balance matters – a culture that genuinely supports work–life balance
• People-first perks – employee referral programme and family-focused benefits, including paid maternity & paternity leave, fertility support, pregnancy loss leave, and a maternity phase-back programme
• Your wellbeing, covered – access to mental health and wellbeing programmes, plus paid health insurance for you and your dependents under 18
• Plan for the future – professional financial advice, contributory pension, and life assurance
• Be part of something bigger – join our D&I, CSR, Green, Social or Great Place to Work committees and even earn an extra day’s leave for making an impact
• And plenty more along the way…
  
  

Salary Range

30000 -31000 DOE

About Us

Core is Ireland's largest marketing communications company with over 400 people working across the key areas of marketing communications - research, data science, strategy, planning, creative development and implementation. We are now a collective of nine practices, working towards a single purpose - to expand the possibilities of what brands can achieve. At Core, we believe that change can move us forward and compel us towards new possibilities. Our wonderful people are at the centre of our success. It is essential that we keep building a high-trust working environment that supports our people and enables them to flourish. There is no magic formula for becoming a great place to work. Instead, it involves working together, through constant change, to match the personal dreams and ambitions of our people with the aspirations of the organisation.

Over the years, we have cemented our position as a great place to work, with 2025 being voted 8 Best Large Workplace in Ireland. Additionally, we are recognised as a Best Workplace for Women, and Best Workplace for Health & Wellbeing. 2025 was our best year yet, and we're excited to have you join us and our continued success.