AV Associate Director

Starcom Melbourne; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global communications agency is seeking an AV Associate Director to enhance AV planning and investment strategies. This critical role involves managing key client relationships, guiding a team, and driving innovation in campaign delivery. Join a dynamic environment focused on professional growth with comprehensive employee benefits.

Benefits

WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity

REFLECTION DAYS - additional paid leave

HELP@HAND BENEFITS

26 weeks full pay for family milestones

FLEXIBLE WORKING and Birthday Day Off

GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS

Qualifications

• Solid foundation in AV media (TV, Video, Radio, Cinema).
• Strong commercial understanding and budget management experience.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of AV strategy and delivery across major campaigns.
• Lead a team of Managers and support personnel in AV planning.

Skills

AV media

Communication skills

Commercial understanding

Job description

Company description

With a history that dates back over 80 years,Starcomis a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our ‘Power of One’ business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, P&O Ferries, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.

We place a huge focus on our People and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential and we encourage everyone to make “Brave Plays” in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly,Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023!

Publicis Media Exchange (PMX)
PMX is the trading, investment, and commercial arm of Publicis Media. PMX is designed to support and provide market-leading capabilities for Publicis Media’s agency brands; Zenith, Starcom, and Spark Foundry.

PMX guarantees safe and effective media investment for our clients with premium publishers and platforms that help businesses grow. Our client-led planning approach, insight, and leverage drive our unrivalled negotiation strategy. The UK team comprises over 300 investment specialists, embedded within each agency, powered by a central team of excellence including programmatic, data, negotiation, product development, and market insight.

PMX thrives on an entrepreneurial spirit and a persistent need to innovate and improve what we do for our clients.

We take on strategic, brave challenges, and relentlessly explore new ways to reach our clients' business goals. We are always looking forward to the next big thing and the next big players - ensuring we are always focused on driving operational excellence against our client's business goals.

Overview

What will you be doing?

We’re looking for an AV Associate Director—someone ready to take on more responsibility, step into leadership, and help shape the future of AV planning and investment. Whether you're an experienced Manager ready for that next move, or a Director looking for a more hands-on, strategic role, this could be your next big step.

As Associate Director, you’ll sit at the heart of our AV team—leading planning and investment across the AV landscape. You’ll manage key client relationships, oversee campaign delivery, and play a central role in shaping strategy, guiding your team, and driving performance.

Responsibilities

Your Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of AV strategy and delivery across major campaigns.

• Lead and support a team of Managers, Senior Execs, and Execs—providing guidance, structure, and development.

• Act as a key point of contact for clients—trusted, solutions-focused, and commercially aware.

• Help drive innovation in AV thinking, identifying opportunities and challenging the status quo.

• Deliver against audit guarantees and investment targets, with a sharp eye on performance.

• Keep ahead of media trends and help the wider team stay informed and inspired.

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

• A solid foundation in AV media (TV, Video, Radio, Cinema), ideally from an agency environment.

• Experience managing campaigns, clients, and teams—either as a Manager ready to step up or a Director ready for a new challenge.

• Strong commercial understanding and confidence in handling budgets, value delivery, and audit requirements.

• A collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills.

• A natural ability to lead by example—curious, committed, and calm under pressure.

Additional information

PMX Starcomhas fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics,Pension,Life Assurance, Private Medical and IncomeProtectionPlanswe also offer;

• WORK YOUR WORLDopportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS- Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level.Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT.Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIESWe provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP&BIRTHDAY DAY OFFYou are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTSThis includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of ourbenefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Pagewhich showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

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