Comms Planning Director

Introduction

This is a senior role within the planning function of a leading agency, responsible for developing insight-led, audience-first strategies that shape integrated campaigns and deliver against ambitious business objectives.

The successful candidate will bring strong strategic thinking, senior stakeholder management and a deep understanding of how different channels work together across the consumer journey. They will play a key role in setting the strategic direction of accounts, developing junior talent and driving the quality of planning output across the wider team.

The Role

As Communications Planning Director, you will lead the development of sophisticated communications strategies, translating audience, cultural, market and business insight into clear strategic direction.

You will take ownership of senior client relationships and work closely with activation, investment, analytics, creative and partner agencies to ensure strategy is effectively translated into integrated campaigns. You will also act as a senior voice within the planning team, helping to develop best practice, challenge thinking and identify opportunities for growth.

This is a strategic leadership role suited to an experienced communications planner who is comfortable operating at senior stakeholder level and influencing both clients and internal teams.

Responsibilities include:

* Leading the development of integrated communications strategies across a portfolio of clients

* Setting the strategic direction for accounts, ensuring planning is rooted in audience insight, consumer behaviour and clear business objectives

* Defining the role of channels across the consumer journey and developing integrated paid, owned and earned strategies

* Leading the development of multi-channel communications plans across digital, social and offline media

* Bringing together data, research, cultural insight and market intelligence to identify opportunities and shape strategic recommendations

* Translating complex insight into clear, compelling strategic narratives and recommendations for senior stakeholders

* Acting as a senior strategic partner to clients, building trusted relationships and confidently challenging briefs where appropriate

* Working closely with activation, investment, analytics and measurement teams to ensure strategic thinking is effectively translated into execution

* Collaborating with creative and partner agencies to ensure communications strategy and creative execution are closely aligned

* Overseeing campaign measurement frameworks and ensuring effectiveness is built into planning from the outset

* Reviewing campaign performance and using insight to drive optimisation and future planning

* Leading presentations, workshops and strategic sessions with senior client stakeholders

* Mentoring and developing planners within the team, providing strategic guidance and supporting their progression

* Contributing to agency thought leadership, planning tools, processes and best practice

You – Skills & Experience:

* 7+ years’ experience in communications planning, media planning or strategic planning within an agency environment

* Strong experience developing integrated, full-funnel communications strategies across multiple channels

* Excellent understanding of audience behaviour, channel roles and how paid, owned and earned media work together

* Proven experience managing senior client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders

* Strong ability to combine data, research, cultural insight and commercial understanding to develop compelling strategic thinking

* Experience working across a broad media mix, including digital, social and offline channels

* Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to turn complex information into clear recommendations

* Experience leading and developing junior and mid-level planners

Sphere Digital Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.