Account Director - Planning

Planning Account Director
Independent Media Agency
Hybrid working in the office


This is an opportunity for a strong communications planner who enjoys taking ownership, building trusted relationships and turning complex briefs into clear, effective media strategies. You’ll lead planning across a portfolio of accounts, working closely with senior leadership and channel specialists to deliver campaigns spanning brand, performance and partnerships.

Client leadership is central to the role. You’ll confidently manage senior stakeholders, oversee significant media budgets and understand the business ambitions behind each brief. From the initial challenge through to delivery and evaluation, you’ll provide clear direction and keep the team focused on producing excellent work.
Responsibilities:

- Lead day-to-day client relationships, becoming a trusted planning partner and senior point of contact.
- Interrogate briefs and translate business challenges and audience insights into compelling media recommendations.
- Lead holistic multichannel planning, bringing particular depth across offline channels.
- Oversee substantial media budgets, planning timelines and delivery against agreed objectives.
- Present recommendations confidently, explain investment decisions and build consensus among stakeholders.
- Drive the team’s thinking and standards, coaching colleagues and supporting their development.
- Use planning tools, audience research and effectiveness frameworks to inform channel choices and measurement.
- Collaborate with senior leaders and specialists to identify opportunities for client growth and innovation.
- Support commercial planning, forecasting and account profitability.

Skills Needed:

- Proven experience in media and communications planning, with the confidence to take ownership at Account Director level.
- Strong offline planning experience and an understanding of how channels work together to deliver results.
- Multichannel expertise, connecting brand-building and performance objectives.
- Experience managing large media budgets and complex stakeholder relationships.
- A track record of developing clear responses to briefs and seeing plans through to delivery.
- Confidence using planning tools, audience research and measurement frameworks to build and substantiate recommendations.
- A supportive, collaborative leadership style, with the ambition to motivate others and raise standards.
- Curiosity, sound judgement and the ability to turn complex information into a clear story.


You’ll join a close-knit team where community, friendships and shared ambition are an important part of agency life. People support one another, take pride in their work and celebrate each other’s success.

The agency is looking for someone career-driven who wants to make an impact and continue progressing. In return, you’ll have access to structured development, mentoring and leadership support, with people around you who champion your ambitions and recognise your contribution.

Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, with reasonable adjustments available throughout the recruitment process.