Planning Director

Publicis Groupe UK; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global marketing firm in London seeks a Planning Director to lead media planning for major entertainment brands. You will play a key role in shaping strategy and delivering outstanding campaigns. Candidates should have extensive media planning experience, strong stakeholder management skills, and a passion for entertainment. The firm offers hybrid working and extensive benefits.

Benefits

WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity

REFLECTION DAYS

HELP@HAND BENEFITS

FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES

BIRTHDAY DAY OFF

GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS

Qualifications

• 5+ years of media planning experience in sports or entertainment.
• Experience in AV and channel planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic media planning across entertainment sector.
• Translate client briefs into audience-first media strategies.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team.

Skills

Senior-level media planning experience

Strong understanding of AV and channel planning

Strategic mindset

Confident communicator

Proven people manager

Excellent stakeholder management

Highly organised and adaptable

Passion for sport or entertainment

Job description

Overview

We're looking for a Planning Director to lead the media planning for one of the UK's most dynamic entertainment brands - home to some of the biggest sporting moments and cultural events on TV. This is a high-profile, fast-moving account where your work will be seen by millions, spanning sport, film, and premium entertainment.

You'll be stepping into a visible and influential role - working closely with senior client stakeholders to shape strategy, drive creative media thinking, and deliver outstanding campaigns that connect audiences with world-class entertainment experiences. This is the perfect opportunity for a senior planner who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and wants to work on category-defining work across entertainment.

What you'll be doing

• Leading strategic media planning and creative media thinking across the entertainment sector
• Translating high-level client briefs into smart, audience-first media strategies that balance brand and commercial goals
• Partnering closely with strategists, channel leads, and creative partners to deliver integrated and innovative plans
• Acting as a trusted client advisor - confidently leading large meetings and navigating multiple stakeholder priorities
• Managing, motivating, and developing a high-performing team of managers and executives
• Overseeing planning excellence and ensuring best practice across all campaign delivery
• Working closely with internal data, digital, and AV specialists to unlock new opportunities through insight and technology
• Supporting the Business Director to deliver operational excellence and strong commercial performance

What we're looking for

• Senior-level media planning experience across sport, entertainment, or high-volume brand accounts
• Strong understanding of AV and channel planning, with experience in commercial or content-led environments
• Strategic mindset with the ability to turn briefs into clear, actionable responses
• Confident, articulate communicator with strong presentation skills and the gravitas to lead large meetings
• Proven people manager who can motivate, mentor and support team members at all levels
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable operating at pace with shifting priorities
• Passion for sport or entertainment - with a natural curiosity for cultural trends and audience behaviours

Why this role

This is a rare opportunity to work on one of the most fast-paced, culturally visible accounts in the UK, delivering campaigns that reach millions and spark national conversations. You'll lead planning across some of the most exciting sporting and entertainment moments on TV with the creative freedom to think big.

You'll join a collaborative, social team, with access to extensive learning opportunities. As part of Publicis Media, you'll also benefit from industry-leading tools, data, and innovation programmes that keep your work ahead of the curve.

If you're a natural leader who loves the buzz of big ideas, fast-moving campaigns, and seeing your work come to life on screen, this is the perfect next step.

Additional information

Zenith UK has fantastic benefits on offer to all of 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 days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS This includes 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 being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

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

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