Head of Planning UK

Merlin Entertainments Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global entertainment firm is seeking a Head of Planning for their UK operations. This strategic role involves leading planning initiatives across various teams, fostering collaboration with global experts, and driving growth through data-driven decisions. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in marketing leadership and stakeholder management, especially within the entertainment or tourism sectors. A competitive salary and great benefits, such as a Merlin Magic Pass, will be offered.

Benefits

40% discount off LEGO® sets

Merlin Magic Pass: 20 free tickets

25% discount in retail shops

‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Pass

Private pension scheme

Life assurance scheme

Employee assistance programme

Access to Perks at Work

Free staff parking

Ongoing training & development

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior marketing leadership role, ideally in a global or multi-regional organisation.
• Exceptional strategic planning and project management skills.
• Strong understanding of brand management, digital marketing, and campaign analytics.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Data-driven mindset with proficiency in leveraging insights for decision-making.
• Experience within the entertainment, tourism, or hospitality industries.
• Familiarity with global markets and cultural nuances in marketing strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and alignment across the UK portfolio.
• Ensure collaboration between local teams and Global Centres of Excellence.
• Oversee annual and multi-year planning processes to drive revenue growth.
• Monitor KPIs and recommend strategic adjustments as needed.

Skills

Marketing leadership

Strategic planning

Project management

Brand management

Digital marketing

Stakeholder relationship management

Data-driven decision making

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

Head of Planning UK

Location: London, SE1 9AX

Contract Type: Permanent, Salaried

We are seeking a Head of Planning to lead strategic planning and alignment across our diverse UK portfolio, with a focus on the UK South cluster. This role will ensure cohesive collaboration between local go-to-market teams and Global Centres of Excellence-including Brand, Marketing, Indirect Sales, and Customer Proposition-driving growth through data-informed decisions and precise execution.

As Head of Planning, you will champion action-orientation, enabling revenue growth, campaign effectiveness, and long-term strategic planning in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You will oversee annual and multi-year planning processes, ensuring plans are executed with speed, quality, and impact.

You will act as the central hub for UK clusters, fostering alignment, sharing best practices, and collaborating with commercial, operations, and digital teams to optimise go-to-market motion. You will also coordinate key campaigns, promotional offers, and seasonal launches, ensuring consistency, quality, and timely delivery across all stakeholders. Monitoring KPIs, managing updates in planning tools, and recommending strategic adjustments will be core to your remit.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior marketing leadership role, ideally in a global or multi-regional organisation.
• Exceptional strategic planning and project management skills.
• Strong understanding of brand management, digital marketing, and campaign analytics.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Data-driven mindset with proficiency in leveraging insights for decision-making.
• Experience within the entertainment, tourism, or hospitality industries.
• Familiarity with global markets and cultural nuances in marketing strategies.

Benefits

• 40% discount off LEGO® sets and products on the online LEGO Store!

• Merlin Magic Pass: 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world!
• 25% discount in Merlin retail shops and restaurants (a brilliant extra treat when you're using your Magic Pass to visit!)
• 'Enjoy the Ride' Merlin Annual Pass for you and five loved ones!
• Staff discount codes for Merlin Annual Passes to gift to loved ones!

• Private pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to Perks at Work which 30,000+ national & local employee discounts
• Free staff parking
• Ongoing training & development

About Merlin

A job with Merlin isn't like a job anywhere else. With attractions around the world, from rollercoasters to wax figures, we don't trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles. In Memories. In magic. But there are no tricks behind our magic. Instead, there are people like you. Passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making sure our worldwide attractions and guests' experiences are the best they can be.

If you have any questions or if you require any reasonable adjustments, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Pay Range

Competitive