Planning Account Director (12 month FTC)

the7stars; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncounted holidays

Discretionary summer profit-share

Hybrid working and flexibility

Personalised training plan

Optional private medical insurance

Life assurance and income protection

Work from anywhere allowance

Electric vehicle scheme

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Job summary

A leading independent media agency is seeking a Planning Account Director for a 12-month fixed-term contract. This mid-senior level role involves leading media planning for brand-led accounts, focusing on strategic development and collaboration with internal and external teams. Candidates should have proven experience in client leadership within a media agency. Competitive benefits include flexible working, uncounted holidays, and a personalized training plan.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior planning or client leadership role within a media agency.
• Strong understanding of brand-led media planning across multiple channels.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Organised and able to lead both clients and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day account management and media planning across key clients.
• Own development of best-in-class media planning proposals.
• Act as a senior, trusted point of contact for clients.
• Act as a senior, trusted point of contact for clients.
• Deliver proactive thinking to strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Champion the use of tools, data and technology to elevate planning output.
• Lead campaign reviews, analysis and learning to inform future strategy.
• Coach and develop junior team members through mentorship.
• Escalate client and finance-related matters as needed.
• Contribute to new business activity.

Skills

Senior planning or client leadership experience

Brand-led media planning

Team coordination

Excellent communication skills

Team coaching

Tools

Media planning tools

Job description

Planning Account Director (12 month FTC)

2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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 hiring a Planning Account Director on a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover parental leave. This role is available on either a four-day or five-day week, depending on your preference.

This is a senior, hands‑on planning and client leadership role, reporting into a Client Director and sitting across a small number of established, brand‑led accounts spanning categories such as automotive and FMCG.

The role

You’ll lead the overall media approach across your client portfolio, with a strong focus on brand activity rather than pure performance. The role combines strategic thinking with day‑to‑day ownership, and involves close collaboration with internal specialists and external partner agencies to deliver integrated, high‑quality planning and activation.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading day‑to‑day account management and media planning across key clients
• Owning the development of best‑in‑class media planning proposals
• Coordinating internal specialists and external partner agencies to ensure cohesive delivery
• Acting as a senior, trusted point of contact for clients
• Delivering proactive thinking that goes beyond the brief and strengthens long‑term partnerships
• Championing the use of tools, data and technology to elevate planning output
• Leading campaign reviews, analysis and learning to inform future strategy
• Supporting and developing junior team members through coaching, challenge and mentorship
• Acting as an escalation point for client and internal finance‑related matters
• Contributing to new business activity where required

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a senior planning or client leadership role within a media agency
• Strong understanding of brand‑led media planning across multiple channels
• Confidence working with specialist teams and external partner agencies
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship‑building skills
• Someone organised, assured and comfortable leading both clients and teams
• Uncounted holiday
• Discretionary summer profit‑share and Christmas bonus
• Hybrid working and flexibility
• Personalised training plan and access to coaching
• Optional private medical insurance and cashback plan
• Life assurance, critical illness cover and income protection
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• “Work from anywhere” allowance
• Electric vehicle scheme, tech scheme and cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Season ticket loans and expensed railcard
• Company bar
• New business bonus eligibility in your first year

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Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Marketing and Advertising

Industries

Advertising Services and Marketing Services