Business Director, Connections Planning

GroupM; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Business Director in the Connections Planning team, where you will lead strategic media planning for a major automotive account. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape integrated media strategies, manage budgets, and foster strong partnerships across teams. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, you will help drive impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences. Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment focused on personal and professional growth. This is your chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic industry.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus birthday off

Ongoing training and development

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunities to attend industry events

Private healthcare

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• Proven senior experience in strategic media planning, preferably in automotive.
• Extensive experience managing budgets and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of strategic planning and annual media strategies.
• Manage and mentor the Connections Planning team.

Skills

Strategic Media Planning

Budget Management

Audience Research

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Innovation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing or Related Field

Master's Degree (Preferred)

Tools

TGI

Touchpoints

Job description

Role: Business Director Department/Team: Connections Planning

Role Objective

We are recruiting a Business Director who is an exceptional and driven media planner to join our Connections Planning team.

You will work on the Ford account in the UK – the biggest auto advertiser and one of the largest accounts at Mindshare. Our full service model means media teams collaborate closely with creative and account management teams within the Ford agency structure, primarily working with VMLYR. We foster a fully integrated team approach across media, creative, and client, working across three locations: 2 days (Mon-Tue) at Ford’s Dunton office (short taxi from Shenfield on the Elizabeth Line, travel costs covered), 1 day (Wed) at VML Sea Containers House, and 1 day (Thu) at Mindshare Rose Court.

About the role

This senior Planning role involves directing and overseeing integrated media strategies that deliver outstanding results for Ford UK. Responsibilities include strategic planning, annual budgeting, and working with the ‘Live Planner’ to monitor campaign performance, with a focus on channel selection and consumer/category insights.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Lead development of strategic planning and annual media strategies, leveraging audience insights and category understanding to inform campaign approaches.
2. Relationship Management: Maintain strong partnerships with Ford UK, VMLYR, channel teams, and other cross-agency partners. Act as the primary strategic liaison with VML teams.
3. Team Leadership: Manage and mentor the Connections Planning team, oversee workloads, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.
4. Campaign and Budget Management: Manage budgets, identify and mitigate campaign risks, and ensure campaigns meet KPIs, adapting strategies as needed.
5. Innovation and Collaboration: Work with central strategy teams to align local and broader strategies, explore innovative media solutions, and champion digital and emerging platforms.

About you

• Proven senior experience in strategic media planning, preferably within automotive or similar industries.
• Ability to simplify complex client requests and guide teams towards actionable solutions.
• Extensive experience managing budgets, strategic planning, and leading teams.
• Expertise in audience research and planning tools (e.g., TGI, Touchpoints).
• Skilled in designing measurement frameworks with clear insights.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with experience presenting to senior clients.
• Passionate about innovation, flexible, proactive, and a challenger mindset.
• Highly organized with foresight and ability to manage priorities proactively.
• Committed to team development and continuous growth.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary based on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Ongoing training and development
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities to attend industry events
• Career progression and personal growth
• Private healthcare
• Excellent pension scheme

About Mindshare

Mindshare is a leading global marketing and media services network with billings over £23 billion worldwide. We work with major brands like Unilever, Ford, KFC, Marks & Spencer, and TK Maxx. Our network spans 116 offices across 86 countries, dedicated to creating competitive marketing advantages for our clients.

Our approach

We aim to drive Good Growth—growth that is enduring, considerate of people and the planet. Media is a powerful tool, and we are committed to responsible, inclusive, and sustainable media practices. We focus on understanding people beyond demographics to place media meaningfully into their lives.

Our values of Energy, Empathy, and Impact drive our ambition to achieve Good Growth and inspire positive change within the industry and our agency.

Working for Mindshare

We invest heavily in our people’s development and foster an inspiring environment. Our flagship event, Huddle, promotes learning and connectivity across borders.

Committed to Diversity & Inclusion

We aspire to be the most inclusive workplace in the country. Our Employee Resource Groups, including Roots, PrideM, Women in Business, Enable, Declassify, 0Borders, ADAM, and Working Parents, support this goal by fostering a welcoming environment and promoting confidence for all employees.