At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic agency relationships and drive revenue growth across 200+ media brands.
- Company: Join Future, a global leader in specialist media with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy uncapped leave, enhanced parental leave, and a share of profits with bonuses.
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career development opportunities and a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the media landscape while developing valuable partnerships.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in media or advertising with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
Who We Are
We're Future, a global leader in specialist media. Our people bring our trusted brands to life, helping millions of people discover expert content that informs, inspires, and drives action. As a pioneering multiplatform media powerhouse, we provide expert content and technology that build valuable communities across all channels.
Future is looking for an ambitious, commercially driven Agency Trading Director to lead and grow strategic relationships with the UK's major media agency holding groups and leading independent agencies. This is a senior commercial role responsible for Future's agency trading strategy, high-value negotiations, revenue growth and strategic agency partnerships across our portfolio of 200+ media brands. You will be a senior external face of Future and the central commercial lead for strategic agency relationships. The role combines commercial strategy, senior relationship management, negotiation, revenue delivery and business development, with a clear focus on increasing Future's share of agency investment. Internally you will lead and drive collaboration and stakeholder management. You will balance short-term trading and revenue delivery with longer-term, multi-million-pound partnerships across Future's full proposition, including digital, print, branded content, social, programmatic, data, creative, events, commerce and media 360 solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Own senior agency relationships
- Deliver revenue and commercial growth
- Unlock the full Future proposition
- Lead Future's agency trading strategy
- Develop and execute the UK agency trading strategy across assigned holding groups and major independent agencies
- Own strategic agency plans identifying revenue, share and relationship-growth opportunities
- Translate Future's commercial strategy into clear agency priorities and long-term trading frameworks
- Identify opportunities to increase Future's share across channels, clients, categories and agency disciplines
- Stay ahead of changes in agency structures, investment models, trading practices and the wider media marketplace
- Be the senior point of contact for designated holding groups and major independent agencies
- Build relationships across central agency functions including investment, trading, partnerships, commercial strategy, product, data, planning and procurement
- Lead senior business reviews, strategic meetings, presentations and agency wide immersion sessions
- Represent Future at key industry events and senior agency forums
- Own revenue targets and commercial performance across strategic agency relationships
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of trading agreements, incremental revenue and new opportunities
- Deliver accurate forecasting and proactively manage risks and opportunities
- Lead negotiations that maximise revenue, profitability and long-term commercial value
- Grow Future's share across digital, print, branded content, programmatic, social, events, creative and other solutions
- Develop new and non-endemic revenue opportunities by connecting Future's audiences, brands and capabilities to broader client needs
- Protect and grow existing commitments while identifying incremental opportunities
- Act as the strategic connector between agencies and Future's wider commercial organisation, working across Client Direct, Agency Sales, Brand Partnerships, Branded Content, Programmatic, Data, Product, Creative, Commerce and specialist teams.
- Ensure trading agreements unlock opportunities across Future's broader proposition rather than individual products or channels. Use Future's scale, data, audience insight, technology and specialist expertise to create a differentiated proposition versus competing media owners.
What You’ll Bring
- Significant senior experience within the UK media, advertising or agency ecosystem
- Established senior commercial agency relationships across UK media agencies and holding groups
- Strong understanding of agency trading models, investment structures and commercial negotiations
- Experience negotiating complex, high-value commercial or trading agreements
- Strong understanding of the UK media owner and agency landscape
- Experience across multiple media channels and commercial propositions
- Ability to develop strategic plans and translate them into measurable commercial outcomes
- Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills
What We Offer
- Uncapped leave
- Enhanced parental leave
- Discounted rates with Dental care and Private Medical care
- When we hit our targets, enjoy a share of our profits with a bonus
- Refer a friend scheme - with payment following the successful hire
- Well-being support with access to our Colleague Assistant Programmes
- Opportunity to purchase shares in Future, with our Share Incentive Plan
- Salary sacrifice Pension scheme up to 5% match
- Free drinks and snacks in our offices
The expected range for this role is £70,000- £80,000. This is a hybrid role, working three days per week from our London Paddington office.
Inclusion and Diversity at Future
At Future, we're working to attract, retain and foster diverse talent, educating our colleagues in the importance of diversity, and review our internal processes so that they remain as free from bias as possible. We recognise that, in order to reach diverse communities through our content, we must first ensure ours is a culture in which diversity can thrive.
If you need any reasonable adjustments, please let us know, and we'll be happy to support you.
Agency Trading Director in London employer: Future
At Future, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As part of the Circulation technology team in London, you will have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, a supportive environment, and the flexibility of a hybrid working model, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Agency Trading Director in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Future and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Future are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Future on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Future. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Agency Trading Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Future. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Future:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Future’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Future
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Future will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Future, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
