Planning Director

GROUPM; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global media agency is seeking a Planning Director to enhance media planning strategies and oversee campaign executions. This role involves developing client relationships, driving innovative campaigns, and applying a deep understanding of media landscapes to achieve outstanding results for diverse clients. The agency values diversity and fosters a creative environment to challenge conventional thinking, offering competitive compensation packages.

Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of media channels and planning best practices.
• Confidence in presenting data-driven stories and solving problems.

Responsibilities

• Drive media planning across specific clients and oversee campaign management.
• Lead brainstorming sessions and integrate data for insightful problem-solving.

Skills

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Effective communication

Stakeholder relationships

Industry knowledge

Job description

Planning Director

About the role:

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry-leading, unrivalled work at Wavemaker. We are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brands.

Wavemaker UK is looking for a Planning Director to join our growing planning team, to drive planning across specific clients and be a media planning expert.

(Please note this is a UK-based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location)

In this role, you will:

Media planning craft:

• Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems, and planning best practices.
• Translate strategic approaches into planning practices for client briefs and pitches.
• Have an advanced understanding of Wavemaker’s Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy, using internal and external tools to understand the consumer, client’s business, and opportunities.
• Maintain an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends, and build media owner relationships.

Campaign management & effective communication:

• Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality and high standards.
• Develop a strong understanding of commercial practices and the wider agency operations.
• Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid-senior level.

Communications planning and storytelling:

• Own planning presentations, defining inputs and coordinating with teams to meet deadlines.
• Lead brainstorms and idea creation for campaigns.
• Independently problem-solve by integrating data and insights to find solutions.

Core skills:

• Industry knowledge: Develop breadth and depth, confidently using tools and systems, and train others.
• Presentation skills: Confidently present data-driven stories and answer client questions.
• Problem-solving: Use critical questioning to analyze and resolve issues efficiently.
• Stakeholder relationships: Understand client and agency structures, build relationships, and identify strategic issues.
• Effective communication: Deliver clear, impactful communications tailored to the audience.
• Campaign management: Review work, coach team members, and optimize campaign performance.
• Storytelling and ideas creation: Lead innovative projects, generate ideas, and foster an environment of creativity.
• Planning expertise: Apply knowledge of client, audience, and media channels to create effective multi-media plans, translating trends into strategic actions.

About Wavemaker UK:

Wavemaker is a global media agency committed to growth through audience understanding and Provocative Planning. We leverage a vast database of purchase journeys to deliver exceptional results for clients like Audible, Nationwide, Danone, Asahi, and Morrisons.

As part of GroupM, WPP’s global media investment arm, our 7,650 employees across 88 markets are driven by positive provocation, deep client knowledge, and a challenge to conventional thinking.

Discover more at wavemakerglobal.com/uk or follow us @WavemakerUK.

We are an equal opportunities employer supporting diverse life choices and welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We offer family and carer-friendly policies.

Visit us at wavemakerglobal.com

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