Planning Director in Manchester

Pharmaceutical experience is a need for this role, unfortunately if you do not have this we cannot proceed with your application.

Are you passionate about creating advertising that not only informs but also transforms lives within the healthcare sector? At Havas Lynx, a global advertising agency at the forefront of healthcare communications, we combine unmatched creativity, extensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare field. Our communications resonate deeply with audiences and adhere to the highest standards of healthcare advertising. Committed to driving meaningful change—a change built on a foundation of rich experience, inspired by innovation, and confirmed through our proven track record—we work in close partnership with healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and leading pharmaceutical brands to navigate the complex challenges of today's healthcare landscape. Our approach blends strategic insights and deep scientific acumen with cutting‑edge creativity and digital innovation, crafting campaigns and solutions that significantly improve people’s lives.

We’re a team of over 400+ people in Manchester and London, with a history spanning over 35 years and an ever‑evolving future. Please note that this role is based in London or Manchester, and our current hybrid working arrangement requires office attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Our Role

As Planning Director, you will play a fundamental role in the success of your agency. Leading the strategic offering, you will add outstanding value to every project you are involved in whilst guiding and inspiring excellence in the output of your entire team. You will work closely with Client Services, Medical, Strategy and Creative, providing strategic stewardship to all projects. You will build strong client relationships and proactively identify opportunities to drive new business activity. You will be a mentor to the strategists and planners within your team, helping them to reach their potential, whilst working closely with the community of strategy leads across the business to enhance the broader offering of Havas Lynx Group.

What you can expect to be doing:

• Demonstrate consistent brand building and business growth expertise.
• Support Havas Lynx Group in driving best practice in strategy as well as thought leadership activities.
• Fluid knowledge and practice in business, marketing, and brand strategy, brand identity and architecture, campaign planning, and innovation.
• Proven track record in both producing effective brand activities and being recognised for these activities in effectiveness awards.
• Help the clients understand and implement the brand vision and purpose.
• Ensure that your expertise and inputs are sought and valued across the client team.
• Take ownership of the development of your team, actively readying them for roles of greater responsibility.
• Champion and contribute to the goals of Havas Lynx Group.

What we’d like to see from you:

• Previous experience in a similar role (agency experience is required).
• Extensive Healthcare experience is a must. Pharmaceutical experience is a need for this role, unfortunately if you do not have this we cannot proceed with your application.
• Proven experience leading and developing a team of strategists, delivering work of outstanding creativity and effectiveness.
• Strong team leadership skills with the ability to develop talent, including talent mapping.
• Positively influencing the culture of your wider agency.
• Building effective partnerships with clients.
• Ideally, you have experience working with Generative AI tools and data, along with AI certifications from platforms such as Coursera, Section AI, or LinkedIn Learning.

What you can expect from us:

A supportive and challenging environment in which you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact that matters. We put a huge investment into #LYNXLife and our #LXAcademy internal programmes. It’s a unique initiative that aims to reward hard work, reduce pressures, and ensure that we can all enjoy our time at Lynx. Our strategy is to build capabilities internally and inspire the best talent, so we can continue to deliver on our mission.

You can also expect a whole host of benefits, including:

• Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office (flexible working options are available for in‑office days).
• Starting holiday allowance of 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with increasing allowance connected to length of service.
• Option to buy, carry or sell holidays.
• Early Friday finish throughout the year.
• Seasonal working hours.
• Enhanced family leave, pay and return to work benefit scheme.
• Extensive L&D support.
• Sabbatical opportunities.
• Season ticket interest free loans for travel.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Life insurance (4x salary).
• Company pension scheme.
• Fully compensated company events.
• Volunteer days.
• Wellbeing programme including sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays and much more.
• Medicash healthcare benefit.
• 24/7 access to a free, confidential and independent Employee Assistance Programme.

Contract Type: Permanent.

Get in touch to find out how we can make an impact that matters together. Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves in being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.