Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation
Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation

Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Acosta Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead field strategy and planning, driving innovation and operational excellence.
  • Company: Acosta Europe, a leader in FMCG sales with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Full salary and benefits package, hybrid working model, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team that values diverse backgrounds and empowers everyone to thrive.
  • Why this job: Make a visible impact in FMCG sales and shape the future of field execution.
  • Qualifications: Strategic thinker with experience in field planning and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Location: Stoke on Trent

Category: Head Office

Contract Type: Permanent Full Time

Office Location: Stoke on Trent (ST4 2HX)

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week from Stoke Office, 2 days from home

Contract: Full-time, Permanent, 37.5 hours per week

About the Opportunity

Acosta Europe is searching for an exceptional Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation – a strategic, influential leader who will shape the future of field execution across the region. In this high-impact role, you will design and deliver best-in-class field strategies, ensuring flawless activation for our clients while driving operational excellence, innovation, and measurable performance improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead field strategy & planning including workforce strategy, activation design, and quarterly planning cycles.
  • Drive adoption of AI‑augmented execution solutions and benchmarking.
  • Ensure activation excellence across campaigns, promotions, and merchandising.
  • Use insights and analytics to optimise resources and inform decision‑making.
  • Lead, inspire, and develop planning and activation teams.
  • Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and clients.
  • Support new business pitches with activation strategies and resource models.

What You’ll Bring

  • Strategic thinker with exceptional operational planning expertise.
  • Strong communicator and influential leader.
  • Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven.
  • Proven experience in field planning, activation, or retail operations.
  • Strong data, planning, budgeting, and optimisation capability.
  • Excellent stakeholder management at executive level.
  • Experience with organisational transformation and change.
  • Strong commercial acumen and client relationship experience.
  • Understanding of European FMCG and retail environments.

Are you ready to make a visible impact and build the future in FMCG sales? We welcome strategic leaders who thrive on driving impact and connecting people, priorities, and performance.

Benefits

Full salary and benefits package discussed at screening stage. At Acosta Europe, we believe diversity and inclusion are the foundation of innovation and success. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.

Ready to apply? Please note once the right candidate is found we will close the role, so apply now!

Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation employer: Acosta Group

Acosta Europe is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stoke on Trent that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to thrive while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. The company prioritises professional growth, providing ample opportunities for strategic leaders to make a significant impact in the FMCG sector.
Acosta Group

Contact Detail:

Acosta Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their field strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in making an impact at Acosta Europe.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve led teams, driven operational excellence, and implemented innovative solutions. This is your chance to demonstrate that you’re the strategic thinker they need!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission in the FMCG space.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation

Strategic Thinking
Operational Planning
Field Strategy Development
AI-Augmented Execution Solutions
Campaign Activation Excellence
Data Analysis
Resource Optimisation
Team Leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
Client Relationship Management
Understanding of FMCG and Retail Environments
Organisational Transformation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in field planning and activation, and don’t forget to showcase your strategic thinking and operational planning expertise.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the Senior Director role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and innovation in your previous roles.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, we want to see how you inspire and develop teams. Include examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional partnerships and managed stakeholders at an executive level.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Acosta Group

✨Know Your Field Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into Acosta Europe's field strategy and planning processes. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and how they leverage AI in execution. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you've inspired and developed teams in previous roles, as this is crucial for a Senior Director position.

✨Master Stakeholder Management

Think about your past experiences working with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to share specific instances where you successfully managed relationships with stakeholders at an executive level, as this will be key in this role.

✨Data-Driven Decision Making

Since the role requires strong data and analytics capabilities, come equipped with examples of how you've used insights to optimise resources and inform decision-making. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and strategic thinking.

Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation
Acosta Group

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>