At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic output for diverse client accounts and inspire innovative media planning.
- Company: Join Medialab, the UK's top independent media agency with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday perks.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team recognised as one of the best places to work.
- Why this job: Make an impact across various clients while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in media planning, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Medialab is the UK’s leading independent media agency, and one of the fastest growing in the industry. We’re a media agency that’s made differently: purpose-led, data-driven, founder-run and proudly independent.
Our entrepreneurial spirit means success is recognised and rewarded. There are no limits to what you can achieve here, which our employees agree with, evidenced by being a Campaign Best Place to Work for six consecutive years and one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. As well as this, we’re Campaign’s Independent Agency of the Year for both 2024 and 2025 and Media Week’s Independent Agency of the Year 2025.
We are IPA Effectiveness accredited, an IPA People-First agency, and All In Champions, with industry-leading work recognised by double-gold at the 2024 IPA Effectiveness Awards for our work with Laithwaites and a 2025 Effie for our work with Alzheimer’s Society.
Our independence means we can focus 100% on doing the right thing to secure success for our clients and our brilliant people. We work with a wide variety of clients including Hovis, IG, Sharps Bedrooms, SunLife, Standard Life, Ancestry, Laithwaites Wine, Save the Children, Guide Dogs, Alzheimer’s Society, RNLI and Clearscore.
OUR VALUES
- Commit to Doing the Right Thing (Act with integrity and accountability)
- Help People Flourish (Invest in people)
- Dig Deeper to Understand Better (Data driven curiosity)
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Working at Medialab comes with lots of perks including all the usual things you would expect, such as a competitive salary package, pension, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, weekly social events and big summer / end of year parties.
On top of that, we offer extra benefits, which make life at Medialab even more rewarding:
- Time to Unwind – 22 days holiday (+Christmas holiday closure), a day off for your birthday, holiday buying scheme, flexi-hours and work abroad scheme.
- Hybrid Working – Balance between home and office (3 days in the office). We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements from the commencement of employment.
- Career Growth – A meritocratic approach to progression with quarterly reviews, CPD Platinum accredited training, mentoring and leadership support.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private medical insurance, health cash plan, gym discounts, wellbeing apps Mental Health First Aiders and free professional counselling.
- Supporting Families – Enhanced parental leave pay, flexible working and life assurance.
- Giving Back – Paid charity days and sustainability initiatives.
- Perks & Rewards – Retail discounts, long-service trips and an unforgettable team culture.
YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE
We’re looking for a Strategist to bring focus, direction and energy across a range of our client accounts. You won’t be tied to a single client, instead, you’ll have the opportunity to work across a number of accounts, providing variety and an opportunity to work with a diverse group of media planners. You will be part of the central Media Planning & Strategy team and have a close working relationship with the agency's senior leadership team and Board members.
We are looking for an individual who has real enthusiasm and experience in media and communications planning. Someone who is curious and will support our team in championing brilliant work that drives outcomes for our clients.
You’ll be a sounding board, a thought-leader and an inspiring voice for Medialab. Your role is to bring a different perspective, to elevate the quality of our work and create the space for others to do their best work.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Leadership of your allocated clients’ strategic output – working with Planning Leads to ensure innovative, cross-channel and insight-led responses on client and briefs.
- Act as a partner to the Client Managing Director and Business Directors, working with them to deepen understanding of our clients’ audiences, and the categories and contexts they operate in.
- Help to grow our clients’ business and ensure Medialab is seen as a trusted partner.
- Actively contribute towards department and team meetings, sharing knowledge, case studies, and motivating other team members to raise the standard of their work.
- Be the strategic lead for new business pitches, in partnership with the pitch lead, developing a strategy that can be translated through to brilliant planning and effective execution.
- Create strategies that inspire the media planning teams to generate effective, distinctive work that delivers client outcomes and success.
- Contribute towards evolving and developing our voice as an agency and our reputation in the industry.
- Coach and inspire Planning Leads and planning team members to become more strategic in their thinking, sharing best practice and innovation.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM
- Proven experience in media and communications planning, ideally across a variety of categories or brands and experience working on both brand and performance.
- A sharp, curious and strategic brain with the ability to make the complex simple, getting to the heart of a brief to articulate clear, actionable recommendations.
- The ability to inspire teams to push their thinking and stay curious.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style. You know how to support and work with others, providing constructive feedback and spot the moments where strategic guidance matters.
- Confidence in audience and industry planning tools and effectiveness frameworks (e.g. YouGov, Touchpoints, measurement approaches, media best practice principles) and how to apply them in everyday work.
MUST HAVE SKILLS
- Media and communications planning experience.
- Natural curiosity and a drive to think beyond the obvious.
- Strong knowledge of industry and audience tools, the ability to analyse and identify the ‘so what’ from data sets.
- Proven ability of developing strong working relationships with key stakeholders, from client planning teams to senior clients.
- Strong storytelling and presentation skills.
Strategist employer: Medialab Group
Medialab is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering a wealth of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on employee growth through CPD accredited training and mentorship. With a commitment to doing the right thing and supporting families, Medialab not only prioritises the well-being of its employees but also fosters an environment where creativity and strategic thinking thrive, making it a truly rewarding place to build a career in media and communications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Strategist role at Medialab!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience in media and communications planning. Bring examples of your work and how you've driven outcomes for clients. This will help you stand out as a top candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Be curious and ask questions! During interviews or networking chats, show your enthusiasm by asking insightful questions about the company and its clients. This not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you understand how you can contribute to Medialab's success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Medialab. Plus, it makes it easier for us to find your application and get back to you quickly!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:When writing your application, let your passion for media and communications shine through. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about the role and how you can contribute to our team at Medialab.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Strategist role. Highlight your media planning experience and how it relates to the diverse clients we work with.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on articulating your ideas in a way that's easy to understand. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Medialab.
How to prepare for a job interview at Medialab Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Medialab's work and values. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and clients like Hovis and Alzheimer’s Society. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Show Your Curiosity
As a Strategist, curiosity is key! Prepare questions that demonstrate your eagerness to understand their approach to media planning. Ask about how they measure success or what innovative strategies they've recently implemented.
✨Be a Team Player
Highlight your collaborative skills during the interview. Share examples of how you've worked with diverse teams to achieve strategic goals. Medialab values inclusivity, so showing you can inspire and support others will resonate well.
✨Present with Confidence
Since storytelling and presentation skills are crucial for this role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Use past experiences to illustrate your points, making sure to keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
