Head of Media Planning

This job is with UKTV, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

DescriptionWe have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Media Planning to join the Media Planning team.

Purpose of the role

The Head of Media Planning is responsible for shaping and implementing UKTV’s owned on-air media strategy across scripted or unscripted content to ensure we retain audiences and grow both our linear channel brands and VOD platform.

Working in close partnership with the Director of Media Effectiveness and the other Head of Media Planning, you will help inform and shape the network and channel owned media strategies. Helping to lead your team to ensure we are utilising our on-air & on-demand inventory as effectively & efficiently as possible. You will support the Director of Media Effectiveness to ensure the UKTVs owned media strategy is integrated alongside our paid media activity at both a brand and campaign level.

What we would like you to bring to the role: Key experience, Knowledge, Skills & Personal qualities

ExperienceAn expert media planner working at a strategic level gained within a broadcaster or media agency with a strong focus on linear & VOD.

Results driven with a proven track record of improving performance through effective campaign strategy & planning.

Excellent operational experience and knowledge to ensure the team is operating efficiently and effectively, in line with on air best practice.

Experience of leading a team to deliver a data and analytical led approach.

Proven experience of managing, guiding, and developing teams.

A track record of being creative, pragmatic and solutions oriented.

Able to demonstrate experience of developing innovative on-air solutions.

KnowledgeYou will demonstrate a clear understanding of the viewer / consumer journey, with experience of the role that owned media plays alongside paid & earned.

Has a thorough understanding of BARB & Techedge data and the ability to interrogate and utilise this data to produce bespoke media planning solutions.

Skills & personal qualitiesA problem solver capable of developing new, innovative, and creative solutions to address marketing challenges.

Ability to inspire trust & respect both internally and externally, building strong stakeholder relationships and influencing others effectively.

You will be capable of communicating with diplomacy & clarity, successfully conveying a strategic narrative and taking others on the journey with you; including mobilising teams to execute the strategy.

A proficient multitasker managing multiple projects concurrently requiring excellent organisation.

An advocate for data-first thinking with a test and learn mindset.

Exhibits sound editorial judgement based on an understanding of the audience and/or channel.

An excellent communicator and collaborator. Able to develop strong relationship management and communication skills and the ability to work with stakeholders both internally and externally across several departments and services.

Passionate about media and the role it delivers within marcomms and the wider business.

High degree of computer literacy and advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Key Responsibilities

Lead a high performing team, providing them with clear goals and direction. Work to inspire, empower, motivate, and develop them, fostering an inclusive environment where they can perform at their best.

Develop, define and execute UKTV’s on air media strategy for scripted or unscripted content across linear & VOD, ensuring flex where needed to the changing media landscape and business direction.

Collaborate with our paid media agency & marketing team to ensure a joined-up planning process that guarantees audience first, integrated and optimised media plans across owned & paid.

Have a network view and ensure across the portfolio, the right objectives, on air media approach, investment levels and KPIs are set to drive business goals.

Key lead in the marcomms planning process, working in consultation with DoME, Marketing, Creative & Social teams to ensure we’re reaching our audiences across our on-air inventory most effectively.

Make full use of Continuity & Navigation as a means of retaining audiences, successfully navigating viewers across brands / shows and creating a better sense and understanding of the network identity.

Work with Continuity team to define a strategic roadmap for the network that includes best practice process, test & learn strategies, measurement & showcasing the value of C&N to the wider business.

Work alongside Media Planning Managers to ensure the effective integration of VOD across all on-air plans to both recruit and retain audiences.

Once campaigns are live, supervise ongoing monitoring, analysis, and evaluation to optimise the campaign, maximise performance and improve efficiency against pre-agreed success criteria.

Lead the analysis and evaluation of owned-media activity, championing a learning culture that demonstrates how improvements in strategy and efficacy can add value to UKTV’s business.

Leverage our martech stack and suite of measurement tools for both strategic insight, analysis and optimisations to drive on air effectiveness.

Demonstrate an understanding on the role owned media plays in the consumer journey and how it works alongside paid and earned.

Support the DoME in ensuring our on-air media complements paid media activity from strategy through to planning.

Support areas of company-wide focus such as Diversity & Inclusion and Sustainability

Live and role model UKTV’s values.

How We Lead: Our Leadership QualitiesStrategic thinking and visionTranslating strategic ambition into clear and measurable goals for your team/s.

Using storytelling to create a vision and inspire your team to deliver their best work.

Driving collaborative working across teams to deliver value for our audiences.

Pro-actively contributing to areas of company-wide strategic focus.

A Digital-first mindsetIdentifying and integrating data and insights to better inform business decisions in your area.

Encourage a test and learn approach, ensuring your teams can iterate and adapt their work based on results.

Embrace new ways of working, tools and technologies to improve agility.

Leaders who embrace ambiguity and change.Challenging the status quo, championing a growth mindset and continuous change

Role-modelling resilience and a growth mindset that recognises the need for ongoing change.

Having strategies for dealing positively with your own discomfort and emotions

As a leader for your team, we’re looking for….Authenticity and empathyCreating and maintaining a psychologically safe environment, ensuring all perspectives are valued and exclusive behaviour is challenged.

Being curious about yourself and others; know your own strengths and areas of development as a leader, actively listen and challenge your own thinking, seek feedback and adapt your approach.

Courage and convictionBeing bold and decisive; adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and be prepared to take risks.

Facing into challenging conversations, difficult decisions and messages

Leaders who develop capabilities and peoplePro-actively identifying and developing capabilities within your team.

Creating a continuous improvement mindset in your team and a culture of constructive feedback

Coaching your team and supporting them to develop their skills; proactively manage talent in your team.

Empowering your team to take responsibility for their own development, helping them grow and thrive.

Diversity and inclusionPurposefully putting diversity at the heart of your decision-making

Fostering a sense of belonging and proactively creating and maintaining an inclusive working environment

High-performance cultureRole modelling the desired behaviours and set the standards for those around you.

Creating a high support/high challenge culture which delivers on strategy.

Setting ambitious goals that stretch and empower your team/s and motivate them to deliver.

Challenging where behaviours or standards are not being met.

About UKTV UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden – span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW.

Channel & content availability varies by platform.

UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK’s most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world’s leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.