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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media planning and campaign management for top clients, driving innovative strategies.
- Company: Join Wavemaker, a global media agency known for its audience understanding and creative planning.
- Benefits: Enjoy a diverse workplace with family-friendly policies and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and challenges conventional thinking.
- Qualifications: Experience in media planning and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: This role is UK-based; applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Planning Director
About the role:
The planning team are the guardians of creating industry-leading, unrivalled work at Wavemaker. We are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brands.
Wavemaker UK is looking for a Planning Director to join our growing planning team, to drive planning across specific clients and be a media planning expert.
(Please note this is a UK-based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location)
In this role, you will:
Media planning craft:
- Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems, and planning best practices.
- Translate strategic approaches into planning practices for client briefs and pitches.
- Have an advanced understanding of Wavemaker’s Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy, using internal and external tools to understand the consumer, client’s business, and opportunities.
- Maintain an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends, and build media owner relationships.
Campaign management & effective communication:
- Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality and high standards.
- Develop a strong understanding of commercial practices and the wider agency operations.
- Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid-senior level.
Communications planning and storytelling:
- Own planning presentations, defining inputs and coordinating with teams to meet deadlines.
- Lead brainstorms and idea creation for campaigns.
- Independently problem-solve by integrating data and insights to find solutions.
Core skills:
- Industry knowledge: Develop breadth and depth, confidently using tools and systems, and train others.
- Presentation skills: Confidently present data-driven stories and answer client questions.
- Problem-solving: Use critical questioning to analyze and resolve issues efficiently.
- Stakeholder relationships: Understand client and agency structures, build relationships, and identify strategic issues.
- Effective communication: Deliver clear, impactful communications tailored to the audience.
- Campaign management: Review work, coach team members, and optimize campaign performance.
- Storytelling and ideas creation: Lead innovative projects, generate ideas, and foster an environment of creativity.
- Planning expertise: Apply knowledge of client, audience, and media channels to create effective multi-media plans, translating trends into strategic actions.
About Wavemaker UK:
Wavemaker is a global media agency committed to growth through audience understanding and Provocative Planning. We leverage a vast database of purchase journeys to deliver exceptional results for clients like Audible, Nationwide, Danone, Asahi, and Morrisons.
As part of GroupM, WPP’s global media investment arm, our 7,650 employees across 88 markets are driven by positive provocation, deep client knowledge, and a challenge to conventional thinking.
Discover more at wavemakerglobal.com/uk or follow us @WavemakerUK.
We are an equal opportunities employer supporting diverse life choices and welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We offer family and carer-friendly policies.
Visit us at wavemakerglobal.com
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UK Planning Director employer: GroupM
Contact Detail:
GroupM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Planning Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wavemaker's Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy. Understanding their approach will not only help you align your strategies with theirs but also demonstrate your commitment to their methodologies during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Wavemaker to gain insights into the company culture and expectations for the Planning Director role. This can provide you with valuable information that can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in media planning and the broader advertising landscape. Being able to discuss recent developments and how they might impact Wavemaker's clients will showcase your expertise and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful campaigns you've managed, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to build relationships. Highlighting these experiences will illustrate your fit for the role and your capability to drive results.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Planning Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Planning Director position at Wavemaker. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with their needs.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your media planning expertise, campaign management experience, and communication skills. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive results and build relationships in a mid-senior level context.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for media planning and your understanding of Wavemaker’s approach. Highlight your problem-solving abilities and how you can contribute to their innovative projects and storytelling efforts.
Showcase Your Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the media landscape and current trends in your application. Mention any relevant tools or systems you are proficient in, and how you have used them to achieve successful outcomes in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at GroupM
✨Master the Media Landscape
Before your interview, ensure you have a solid grasp of the current media landscape and trends. Familiarise yourself with Wavemaker’s Purchase Journey thinking and how it applies to various media channels. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Presentation Skills
As a Planning Director, you'll need to present data-driven stories effectively. Prepare to discuss past experiences where you've successfully communicated complex ideas to clients or stakeholders. Practising your presentation skills can make a significant difference in how you convey your insights during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Use critical questioning to analyse problems and showcase your ability to integrate data and insights into actionable solutions. This will highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Establishing strong relationships is key in this role. During the interview, focus on building rapport with your interviewers by engaging in meaningful conversations. Show genuine interest in their work and the agency's culture, as this will reflect your ability to foster client and agency relationships.
