Planning Manager

Company description Spark Foundry makes up part of a thriving global media network and is part of the Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s leading communications groups. We are globally connected with over 8,000 employees in 110 offices across 70 countries.

Who We Are in the UK? Spark Foundry, the Acceleration Agency. We help brands to identify, learn and respond to opportunities faster than the competition. Every client has an area of their business they need to accelerate, from short‑term goals to long‑term transformation. We’ve proven our approach during the most difficult year on record. Now we’re using it to provide a launchpad for their future. Come be an accelerator with us.

How we accelerate:

• Planning: an approach that works in practice rather than theory, arming planners with the ability to create cutting‑edge campaigns
• Intelligence: a suite of tools that give definitive answers to big questions, and uncover actionable insights about real people
• Trading: a model built on flexibility and trusted relationships, underpinned with bold guarantees
• Relationships: a culture of asking challenging questions to better understand the brief – we are not a ‘yes’ agency
• People: a strong history of recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds and accelerating their careers

Our Commitment: We are diverse through our experience, people and the clients we look after and we celebrate that diversity. Our people hold us accountable to our beliefs and via regular surveys and our grass‑roots D&I team, The Collective, and internal next‑generation board, Firestarters, we hold regular events and work continually towards generating ideas, initiatives and educating our people to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive agency. As part of our dedication to create an inclusive and diverse workforce, Spark Foundry is committed to equal access to opportunity for people without regard to race, age, sex, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

Overview Intro: We’re looking for a Planning Manager to join Spark Foundry’s growing planning team, working across a mix of innovative consumer and wellbeing brands. You’ll help bring to life campaigns that sit at the intersection of health, tech, and everyday lifestyle — giving people the tools to feel good and live better. This role is perfect for a strategic, curious planner who wants to work across a portfolio of forward‑thinking clients that value creativity, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading planning and campaign delivery across multiple health and lifestyle clients
• Working on both brand awareness and performance‑driven campaigns across digital, social, audio and partnerships
• Turning insight and data into smart, creative media strategies that drive engagement and conversion
• Partnering with creative and comms teams to ensure consistency and innovation across all touchpoints
• Managing client relationships day‑to‑day, ensuring clear communication and strong delivery
• Supporting the Account Director and helping to mentor more junior team members

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in cross‑channel media planning, ideally with some exposure to health, lifestyle or tech clients
• Strong understanding of performance media and how to translate data into strategic recommendations
• A confident, proactive communicator who enjoys client contact and problem‑solving
• Organised, curious, and adaptable with a positive, collaborative mindset
• Keen interest in health and wellbeing trends and how they shape consumer behaviour

Why this role: This is a brilliant opportunity to work across brands that are genuinely improving people’s lives — while gaining exposure to creative, fast‑moving campaigns that blend brand and performance thinking. You’ll be part of a close‑knit team that’s passionate, supportive, and always experimenting with new ideas. At Spark Foundry, you’ll have the space to develop, the trust to lead, and the opportunity to grow within one of the industry’s most exciting agency cultures.

Additional information: Spark has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics – Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans – we also offer:

• WORK YOUR WORLD: opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS: Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day‑to‑day work and create time to focus on your well‑being and self‑care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS: 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Well‑being content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES: We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity, Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF: You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS: This includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of our benefits will be shared when you join us! Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full‑time employees being office‑based three days during the working week. We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process. Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).