Associate Planning Director

Publicis Groupe; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical cover

Job summary

Zenith International, part of Publicis Groupe, is hiring a UK Associate Planning Director for Publicis Imagine. This role shapes high-profile campaigns across platforms, connecting audiences with premium content and release windows.

You will lead media strategy, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and develop talent while delivering strategic insight and growth for clients and colleagues.

Qualifications

• Strong experience developing and leading multi-channel media strategies and campaigns.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with stakeholders at different levels.
• Experience coaching or mentoring team members and supporting their development.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the UK media landscape and evolving consumer trends.
• Collaborative and curious mindset with ability to challenge thinking constructively.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end media planning across a diverse entertainment portfolio, ensuring campaigns meet high standards.
• Translate client objectives into effective cross-channel media strategies with measurable outcomes.
• Partner with investment, activation and specialist teams to create integrated campaign plans.
• Build trusted client relationships through clear communication and thoughtful recommendations.
• Coach and support a Planning Manager and Planning Executive to grow their skills.
• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working and promote collaboration and learning.
• Stay informed on media and consumer trends to inform planning recommendations.

Skills

multi-channel media strategies

clear stakeholder engagement

team mentoring

UK media landscape knowledge

planning and analytics

attention to detail

Job description

Company description

We are the ROI agency, apositionwe haveproudlyheld trueto since 2005. Our more than 6,000specialistsacross95marketsofferunparalleledcapabilitiesinMedia,Data,Technology, Commerce and Content. We put effectiveness at the heart of our work to solve complex challenges, drive successful business outcomes, and grow our clients’businesses.

Over the years, we have evolved our definitionof ROI, as it has changed with the ever- complicatedcommunicationslandscape.ROI isnolongersimplyaboutthemost efficient planning, buying and reporting of media.

Yes,ROIisaboutdeliveringReturnonInvestment;butit’salsoaboutgoingbeyondtodelivera

ReturnonImaginationandmoreintegratedexperiencesthatinspireGrowth.Top-linegrowth

forourclients’businesses,growthforourpeopleandgrowthforourculture.

Poweredbyourbest-in-classproprietarytoolsanddata,ourworkspansthefullspectrumof media communications, from analytics, data and technology to performance marketing, content and superior trading.

ThisbreadthmeanswedeliverInsightthatliesattheintersectionofconsumer,category,and brand, attributing every budget to stronger business outcomes.

Itmeanswedelivermorecreativemediasolutionsthatbringtogetherbest-in-classstrategy, planning and the power of Publicis Groupe to ensure distinct and more personal brand experiences for our clients.

Itmeansweadoptnewdataanalyticsandvalueoptimisationtechniqueswhilebuilding

relationshipswithsomeoftheworld’smostexcitingstart-ups.Weleverageover30yearsof media planning expertise to go beyond traditional media solutions and deliver a Return on Investment that is both forward–thinking and accountable to our clients.

AtZenith,weultimatelyseekoutamoremeaningfulkindofROI. Ouruniquewayofthinking inspiresgrowth for some of theworld’s leadingbrands,includingCoty,Electrolux,Essity, Lactalis, Luxottica, Nestlé, Nomad Foods, Reckitt,TikTok and Verizon.

Overview

We are hiring a UK Associate Planning Director to join Publicis Imagine, a specialist team dedicated to one of the world's leading entertainment and media brands. This is an exciting opportunity to shape high-profile campaigns that connect audiences with premium content across multiple platforms and release windows. Working at the intersection of media strategy, creativity and culture, you'll help deliver impactful campaigns while leading and developing talented planners. If you thrive on collaboration, strategic thinking and creating work that reaches millions of people, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

What you'll be doing

• Lead end-to-end media planning across a diverse entertainment portfolio, ensuring campaigns are delivered to a consistently high standard.
• Translate client objectives into effective cross-channel media strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Partner closely with investment, activation and specialist teams to create integrated and connected campaign plans.
• Build trusted client relationships through clear communication, thoughtful recommendations and exceptional service.
• Coach, mentor and support a Planning Manager and Planning Executive, helping them grow their skills and careers.
• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working, promoting collaboration, efficiency and continuous learning across the team.
• Stay informed on media, culture and consumer behaviour trends to bring fresh thinking and strategic insight into planning recommendations.

Qualifications

Skills we're looking for

• Strong experience developing and leading multi-channel media strategies and campaigns.
• The ability to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable plans and recommendations.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at different levels.
• Experience managing, coaching or mentoring team members and supporting their development.
• Commercial awareness and a good understanding of the UK media landscape and evolving consumer trends.
• A collaborative and curious mindset, with the confidence to challenge thinking constructively.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and attention to detail.

Additional information

Zenith International offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Zenith International, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.