Overview
Medialab is the UK’s leading independent media agency, and one of the fastest growing in the industry. We’re a media agency that’s made differently: purpose-led, data-driven, founder-run and proudly independent. Our independence means we can focus 100% on doing the right thing to secure success for our clients and our brilliant people. We work with a wide variety of clients including Hovis, Sharps Bedrooms, SunLife, Standard Life, Laithwaites Wine, EMMA Mattresses, Save the Children, Mind, Guide Dogs, Alzheimer’s Society, RNLI and Clearscore.
OUR VALUES
* Commit to Doing the Right Thing (Act with integrity and accountability)
* Help People Flourish (Invest in people)
* Dig Deeper to Understand Better (Data driven curiosity)
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Working at Medialab comes with lots of perks including all the usual things you would expect, such as a competitive salary package, pension, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, weekly social events and big summer / end of year celebrations.
On top of that, we offer extra benefits, which make life at Medialab even more rewarding:
* Time to Unwind – 22 days holiday (+ Christmas holiday closure), birthday & mental health day off, holiday buying scheme, flexi-hours and work abroad scheme.
* Hybrid Working – Balance between home and office. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements from the commencement of employment.
* Career Growth – A meritocratic approach to progression with quarterly reviews, CPD Platinum accredited training, mentoring and leadership support.
* Health & Wellbeing – Private medical insurance, health cash plan, gym discounts, wellbeing apps Mental Health First Aiders and unlimited free professional counselling.
* Supporting Families – Enhanced parental leave, flexible working and life assurance.
* Giving Back – Paid charity days and sustainability initiatives.
* Perks & Rewards – Retail discounts, long-service trips and an unforgettable team culture.
YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE
We’re looking for a Planning Director to bring strategic focus, direction and energy across one of our client planning teams. You won’t be tied to a single client. Instead, you’ll take a wide-angled view and help shape the quality of planning across the board, supporting a team of six+ planners, and championing brilliant work that drives results.
You’ll be a sounding board, a thought partner and an inspiring voice. You’ll work with Account Directors, Account Managers and Execs across a varied mix of clients. From fast-paced commercial brands to purpose-led charities. Your job is to elevate the quality of thinking and create the space for others to do their best work.
We’re after someone with strong channel knowledge, a sharp planning instinct, and a collaborative leadership style. Someone who can coach, question, challenge and guide the team to deliver brilliant work.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
* Acting as strategic lead across the planning output of a multi-client team — helping shape briefs, stress-test strategies, and sharpen the thinking behind every response.
* Dotted-line managing a team of planners (approx. 6 people) across varying levels and offering guidance, feedback, stretch opportunities and support.
* Being a trusted partner to the Business Director and senior leadership team where you'll have the responsibility of flagging risks, surfacing great work, and championing consistent quality.
* Leading the development and embedding of comms planning frameworks, tools and templates to ensure clarity, consistency and a high standard of delivery.
* Helping turn insight into action. Pushing teams to use data, effectiveness learnings and channel planning tools in smarter ways.
* Supporting the professional development of team members, facilitating training, coaching sessions, and feedback conversations.
* Promoting collaboration between planning, digital, AV and data teams and helping planners navigate cross-channel delivery with confidence.
* Acting as a senior voice in campaign wrap-ups, PCAs and strategic reviews and guiding narrative and identifying learnings that move planning forward.
* Supporting senior client meetings where a strategic planning POV is needed, particularly in complex, brand-building or cross-channel briefs.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
* Significant experience in media and comms planning, ideally across a range of categories and objectives, with confidence in both brand and performance thinking.
* Strong cross-channel knowledge and understanding of how digital and AV contribute to full-funnel outcomes.
* A collaborative and inclusive leadership style. You know how to support a team, give good feedback, and spot the moments where coaching matters.
* Confidence in planning tools and effectiveness frameworks (e.g. Touchpoints, measurement approaches, media principles) and how to apply them in everyday work.
* A sharp strategic brain able to simplify complex challenges, get to the heart of a brief, and articulate clear, actionable recommendations.
* The ability to inspire teams to push their thinking and stay curious, while setting clear expectations.
* Experience leading or contributing to planning culture. Whether through training, mentoring, thought leadership, or process development.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Advertising, Marketing, and Strategy/Planning
Industries
* Advertising Services
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