Planning Account Manager - New client win!

Publicis Groupe; London, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading agency as a Planning Account Manager, driving innovative media strategies for Santander. Collaborate with creative teams and lead strategic planning to help brands stand out. Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and exceptional benefits.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday (+ your birthday off)

Flexible working

Global career mobility

Pension

Private Medical

24/7 helpline for support

Reflection Days

Family Friendly Policies

Great Local Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience at Senior Executive or Manager level.
• Confident in leading client conversations.
• Attention to detail for precise planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for Santander’s campaigns.
• Collaborate across teams for cross-channel campaigns.
• Challenge clients to think differently.

Skills

Media Planning

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Job description

Company Description

Who We Are in the UK?

Spark Foundry, the Acceleration Agency.

We help brands identify, learn, and respond to opportunities faster than the competition.

Every client has an area of their business they need to accelerate, from short-term goals to long-term transformation.

We’ve proven our approach during the most difficult year on record. Now, we’re using it to provide a launchpad for their future.

Come be an accelerator with us.

How we accelerate

• Planning: an approach that works in practice rather than theory, arming planners with the ability to create cutting-edge campaigns
• Intelligence: a suite of tools that give definitive answers to big questions, and uncovers actionable insights about real people
• Trading: a model built on flexibility and trusted relationships, underpinned with bold guarantees
• Relationships: a culture of asking challenging questions to better understand the brief – we are not a ‘yes’ agency
• People: a strong history of recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds and accelerating their careers

Our Commitment

We are diverse through our experience, people, and the clients we look after - and we celebrate that diversity. Our people hold us accountable to our beliefs and via regular surveys and our grassroots D&I team, The Collective, and internal next-generation board, Firestarters, we hold regular events and work continually towards generating ideas, initiatives, and educating our people to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive agency.

As part of our dedication to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, Spark Foundry is committed to equal access to opportunity for people without regard to race, age, sex, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

Job Description

"No one becomes a champion by standing still."

Looking for a career that moves as fast as you do? At Spark Foundry, we’re all about acceleration—helping brands identify opportunities, learn fast, and respond faster. And now, we’re on the hunt for a Planning Account Manager to help drive the success of our newest client, Santander.

Santander isn’t just another financial brand; they’re on a mission to make banking simple, personal, and fair. As part of Publicis Flame, our bespoke Power of One team, you’ll be shaping integrated media strategies that push boundaries and make an impact.

What You’ll Do:

Support in leading strategic planning for Santander’s campaigns, ensuring media plans are innovative and effective. Collaborate across digital, publishing, audio, and OOH teams to deliver seamless, cross-channel campaigns. Work closely with our creative partners at Saatchi & Saatchi to bring media and creativity together. Challenge clients to think differently and position their brand as a category leader.

What We’re Looking For:

A media planning pro with experience at Senior Executive or Manager (or equivalent) level, confident leading client conversations. A team player who thrives on collaboration and builds strong agency relationships. A strategic thinker with a sharp eye for insights and a passion for making brands stand out. Someone who pays attention to detail—because the best plans come with precision.

What’s in it for you? Beyond a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy 25 days’ holiday (+ your birthday off!), flexible working, global career mobility, and top-tier benefits.

Ready to bank on your future? Apply now and help us take Santander to the next level.

Additional Information

Spark offers fantastic benefits to all our employees. In addition to the classics—Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical, and Income Protection Plans—we also offer:

• WORK YOUR WORLD: opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS: two additional paid days to step away from work and focus on well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS: 24/7 helpline supporting personal and professional needs, including remote GPs, mental health support, and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES: 26 weeks of full pay for family milestones such as Maternity, Adoption, Surrogacy, and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF: additional days off for your birthday and flexible holiday options.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS: membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants, and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of our benefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full-time employees working in the office three days a week.

We are supportive of all candidates and committed to a fair assessment process. If you have circumstances such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments, or medical conditions that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Disclosing this information will not impact your process.

Please check out the Publicis Career Page, which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and Employee Action Groups (EAGs).

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