Account Director, Planning (EMEA)

M&C Saatchi Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in London is seeking an experienced Account Director to oversee performance-driven media plans and lead a team. This hybrid role requires a strong media planning background and excels in managing multiple client accounts. The ideal candidate has 6–8 years' experience in performance media, with skills in app acquisition and data-driven strategies. Join a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment that values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years' experience in performance media, ideally agency-side.
• Ability to translate performance data into strategic action.
• Experience in app acquisition campaigns preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee performance-driven media plans.
• Manage a team of planners and provide mentorship.
• Lead development and delivery of strategic pitch decks.

Skills

Performance media expertise

Team leadership

Multi-channel campaign planning

Data-driven decision making

Presentation skills

Job description

Job Title: Account Director, Planning
Location: London office, hybrid working model with days required in office weekly
Reports To: Business Director (for Interim period it will be the Managing Director)
Contract Type:12 monthFixed Term Contract (with potential for permanent)

About Us

M+C Saatchi Performance is a forward-thinking performance marketing agency—and proud to be part of the M+C Saatchi Group network. While we benefit from the strength of the global group, we operate as an independent agency with our own vision, culture, and entrepreneurial mindset.

We specialise in innovative, data-driven solutions that drive measurable growth for ambitious brands. With a mobile-native legacy and a presence spanning eleven offices across four continents, we’re built for the demands of today’s hyperconnected world. Our approach is data-centric, ROI-positive, and results-focused—combining strategic thinking, creative intelligence, and flawless execution to deliver work that works.

The Role

We’re hiring an experienced Account Director to join our team. This role is ideal for someone with a strong media planning background who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. You’ll be leading across multiple accounts, bringing clarity to complexity, managing diverse stakeholders, and helping shape campaigns that deliver against aggressive performance goals.

You’ll play a key role in campaign planning and delivery, lead pitch deck development, and guide your team and clients through the ever-evolving media landscape. Experience in performance campaigns is essential, with preferred but not essential experience in app acquisition. Strong team leadership and multi-account oversight are critical to success in this position.

For an interim period this role reports into the Managing Director, whilst the Business Director is on maternity leave.

This role will have two direct reports, which are Account Managers of which in their teams they have 2 more additional junior team members.

The Clients

We work across a range of clients, including Travel and Tourism, Retail, Entertainment, Wellness, Ride-hailing. Campaigns are not limited to UK only and are activated across multiple markets globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and oversee performance-driven media plans, particularly in app acquisition and digital growth campaigns.
• Work across multiple accounts, ensuring consistency in quality, delivery, and client experience.
• Guide media performance strategy using platform data insights and collaborate with analytics partners to optimize campaigns.
• Manage a team of planners, offering mentorship, performance feedback, and development support, while also handling challenging conversations when needed.
• Be a strategic partner to clients, bringing both confidence and clarity to discussions
• Ensure efficient internal operations, prioritization, and delivery across your portfolio of work.
• Lead the development and delivery of strategic pitch decks, coordinating cross-functional input and aligning recommendations to client KPIs.

About You

• 6–8 years' experience in performance media, ideally agency-side, with a proven track record across planning and execution.
• Preferred, but not essential experience in app acquisition campaigns with a clear understanding of mobile KPIs, retention strategies, and MMP platforms.
• Deep understanding of performance data and how to translate numbers into strategic action.
• Experience planning multi-channel campaigns across search, social and programmatic
• Confident leading senior client conversations, including in high-stakes or high-pressure situations.
• Proven ability to manage and inspire teams, while also holding high standards and driving accountability.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, particularly across multiple client accounts and stakeholders.
• Experienced in deck building and storytelling—you know how to pull together compelling, insight-led narratives that land.
• Pitch experience and presentation skills essential

Location

• Hybrid role with a central London based office

M+C Saatchi Group has pledged its commitment to create a company that values difference, with an inclusive culture. As part of this M+C Saatchi Group continues to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not and shall not discriminate, celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit, without regard for any personal characteristics.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please make us aware as part of your application.