Media Planning Manager

Harnham; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A large leisure and hospitality brand in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Media Planning Manager to oversee multichannel campaigns and drive commercial value through effective planning and optimisation. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and experience in stakeholder management. This role offers an immediate start and a full-time contract.

Qualifications

• Proven multichannel campaign experience across online and offline media.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Experience analysing campaign results and using insight to improve performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day planning across online and offline media.
• Manage key third‑party partners to optimise spend and performance.
• Analyse campaign metrics and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Skills

Multichannel campaign experience

Strong Excel skills

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Job description

Media Planning Manager

12‑month fixed‑term contract. 3 days per week. 12‑month maternity cover with potential extension to end of Q1.

Location: HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.

Please note: You must be a UK resident and eligible to work in the UK.

THE COMPANY

This large, well‑established leisure and hospitality brand operates a national portfolio of high‑footfall destinations and attracts millions of visitors every year. With strong investment behind its digital, brand, and on‑site experience, the business combines consumer insight, performance‑focused marketing, and continual innovation to drive growth across holiday, short‑break, and ownership products.

The organisation has a fast‑paced commercial culture, a highly skilled marketing function, and an ambitious roadmap supported by significant private‑equity backing. This is a place where data, creativity, and performance come together to shape demand, revenue, and long‑term brand success.

THE ROLE

As Media Planning Manager, you will play a critical role within the performance marketing team, ensuring campaigns deliver maximum commercial value through smart planning, optimisation, and effective partner management. This is a hands‑on position ideal for someone with strong multichannel experience across online and offline media, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders and external partners. You’ll work closely with specialist teams spanning search, programmatic, CRM, and brand, helping to coordinate activity and ensure campaigns land in the right place at the right time.

An immediate start is preferred to allow for a smooth handover.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Lead day‑to‑day planning across online and offline media, determining how, when, and where campaigns should run to maximise commercial impact.
• Manage key third‑party partners to optimise spend, performance, and overall value.
• Support ongoing multichannel campaigns, focusing on continual improvement rather than major new product launches.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with performance, CRM, and brand teams to align activity and ensure consistent messaging.
• Analyse campaign metrics using strong Excel capability (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to commercial decision‑making by evaluating channel performance, media mix, and investment strategy.
• Work closely with specialists across paid media channels, ensuring integrated planning and a joined‑up approach.

APPROXIMATE TIME SPLIT

• 60% campaign planning, management, and optimisation
• 30% collaboration, cross‑functional coordination, and third‑party management
• 10% reporting, analysis, and continuous improvement

YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven multichannel campaign experience across online and offline media.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Experience analysing campaign results and using insight to improve performance.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and build strong internal and external relationships.
• Strong organisational and project‑management capability.
• Experience working in a consumer‑facing environment.

BONUS: THESE ARE DESIRABLE, NOT REQUIRED

• Exposure to affiliate marketing (not essential).
• Experience in fast‑paced, performance‑driven organisations.
• A background working with or within media agencies.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Analyst