Planning Account Director

the7stars; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent media agency in Greater London is seeking a Planning Account Director to lead strategic media planning across a diverse portfolio. In this role, you’ll manage client relationships and oversee planning delivery, working in a flat, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will have strong media planning experience, proven client management skills, and a passion for innovative media strategies. This position offers a unique culture, autonomy, and a competitive benefits package including flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Uncounted holiday

Summer profit-share

Hybrid working and flexibility

Personalised training plan

Wellbeing days

Flexible pension plan

Gym membership

Qualifications

• Strong multi-channel media planning experience.
• Evidence of leading successful client relationships.
• Deep understanding of OOH, ATL and digital channels.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day planning output across clients.
• Lead strategic media planning proposals.
• Manage and develop junior team members.

Skills

Media planning experience

Client relationship management

Integrated campaign delivery

Strong presentation skills

Attention to detail

Familiarity with media tools

Job description

the7stars is the UK’s largest independent media agency – a genuinely different kind of place, built on a single defining principle : Freedom .

Freedom shapes how we plan and buy media, how people grow their careers, how we collaborate, and how we show up for each other. With our flat structure, open culture, and entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve created an environment where brilliant people can do the best work of their careers.

We’re now looking for a Planning Account Director to join one of our planning teams and help shape the future of our planning function as we evolve, innovate and push for industry-leading standards.

The role

As a Planning Account Director, you’ll be a senior member of the planning team, leading strategy and day-to-day planning across a portfolio of high-profile brands spanning multiple sectors.

You’ll drive audience-first, insight-driven media strategies; oversee end-to-end planning and delivery; and collaborate closely with our specialist teams to ensure joined-up, best-in-class planning across all channels. This is a hands‑on strategic role in a flat, autonomous environment that rewards ideas, ownership, and ambition.

You’ll also play a key role in helping shape ways of working within our expanding planning group - a rare opportunity to influence planning excellence from the ground up.

What You’ll Do

Lead Media Planning & Client Relationships

• Own the day-to-day planning output across a group of clients, ensuring best-in‑class responses and strong working relationships.
• Lead strategic media planning proposals, aligning responses to client needs and commercial goals.
• Act as the key point of contact for senior client stakeholders, supporting and challenging them as needed to build a true partnership.
• Steer proactive thinking that goes beyond the brief to maintain a value‑driving, non‑transactional relationship.

Drive Integrated, Audience‑First Planning

• Work closely with internal specialists across audience, digital, offline, measurement and activation to build connected planning approaches.
• Champion the use of agency tools and technology to elevate planning, insight and measurement.
• Oversee full end‑to‑end plan delivery, from briefing through to PCA.

Lead & Develop Your Team

• Manage and develop junior team members, providing training, coaching and support across planning, insight gathering and analysis.
• Delegate effectively across multiple stakeholders and ensure the team is empowered, supported and clear on expectations.

Support Agency Growth

• Actively participate in new business pitches.
• Contribute to shaping and embedding new planning practices within the team.
• Represent the7stars’ planning framework, ethos and culture.

About You

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a free‑thinking, entrepreneurial environment and is excited by the chance to shape great planning work. You’ll have :

Core Skills & Experience

• Strong media planning experience with solid multi‑channel understanding (online & offline).
• Evidence of leading client relationships, planning responses and integrated campaign delivery.
• Deep understanding of OOH, ATL and digital channels, including partners, processes and strengths / limitations.
• Strong presentation, communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Confidence leading meetings and managing fast‑moving workloads, quick turnarounds and shifting priorities.
• Impeccable attention to detail and a solutions‑first mindset.
• Familiarity with tools such as Telmar, TGI, Nielsen, Brand Index and SimilarWeb.

What You’re Like

• Strategic, curious and commercially minded.
• Entrepreneurial and energised by autonomy rather than rigid structures.
• Driven to deliver excellent work and excited by big ideas.
• Comfortable challenging yourself and others to raise the bar.
• Passionate about the role of media and communications in driving business outcomes.

Why the7stars?

You’ll be joining an agency with a truly unique culture built on trust, autonomy and creativity.

Expect

• A flat structure with real ownership from day one.
• A collaborative, diverse team of brilliant thinkers.
• Freedom to design a flexible approach to your working life.
• A business that gives 5% of its profits back into the community.
• A place where personal development is encouraged and supported.
• A genuinely fun, creative and non‑political environment.

Benefits

A comprehensive package including :

• Competitive salary
• Uncounted holiday
• Summer profit‑share and Christmas bonus (discretionary)
• Hybrid working and flexibility
• Personalised training plan & coaching
• Wellbeing days
• Flexible pension plan
• Optional private medical insurance & cashback plan
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness and Income Protection
• Gym membership
• Enhanced family policies
• “Work from anywhere” allowance
• EV scheme, tech & cycle scheme
• Season ticket loans and expensed Railcard
• Company bar
• New Business Bonus eligibility in year one