Business Director - 12 month FTC

Business Director - 12 month FTC

Temporary 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic planning for major brands and create innovative media solutions.
  • Company: Join Zenith, a leading ROI agency with a focus on bold, impactful communications.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, private medical cover, and reflection days.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and supports career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving growth for household-name brands and breaking social taboos.
  • Qualifications: Strong media planning experience and ability to build trusted client relationships.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

Company Description

Zenith is the ROI agency. We help brands make Bold Moves in communications to drive profitable, measurable growth.

At Zenith, Bold Moves are big, brave shifts to strategy, data, audience or activation.

They’re grounded in evidence, backed by rigorous forecasting and designed to deliver stronger returns for clients and better experiences for consumers.

We work as empathetic partners, taking the time to understand our clients’ businesses and tying our success to theirs.

Part of Publicis Media, Zenith has over 5,000 specialists across 90 markets.

In the UK, we work with leading organisations including The Very Group, Macmillan and Morrisons – helping them make smarter, more impactful choices to unlock growth.

We believe an inclusive culture strengthens our business, enabling greater idea exchange, innovation and creativity, and we actively encourage our people to drive positive change.

Overview

We’re hiring a Business Director for a 12-month fixed-term contract, starting in February 2027.

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead on Essity , a major multinational hygiene and health client with an annual media budget of c. £25m.

You’ll work across household-name brands spanning Personal Care, including TENA and Bodyform , and Consumer Tissue, including Cushelle and Plenty , alongside 1–2 other smaller accounts .

Essity is known for work that aims to break barriers to wellbeing and challenge social taboos through thought-provoking consumer communications.

What you'll be doing

  • Lead the planning team and set the strategic direction for

Essity , creating outstanding work and innovative, best-in-class media solutions.

  • Build trusted senior client relationships, bringing strategic thinking, constructive challenge and consistently excellent client service.
  • Oversee

1–2 other smaller accounts , ensuring strong strategic thinking and high-quality delivery across your portfolio.

  • Create the conditions for brilliant work by establishing clear, effective processes and encouraging collaboration across the team.
  • Take ownership of account commercials, including accurate forecasting, resource management, profitability and identifying sustainable growth opportunities.
  • Lead, support and develop a talented planning team, creating an inclusive culture where people can thrive and progress.
  • Collaborate across

Zenith, Publicis Media , partner agencies and suppliers to unlock new opportunities, share great work and bring the best of the wider network to your clients.

Qualifications

  • Strong strategic media planning experience, with the ability to turn insight and data into clear, effective media strategies.
  • Experience working with data-driven approaches such as

MMM, MTA and brand tracking , and using these insights to inform strategic decisions.

  • The ability to build trusted relationships with senior clients and partners, navigating challenges collaboratively and confidently.
  • Strong commercial judgement, with experience managing forecasting, resources and account profitability.
  • Experience leading and developing teams, creating an environment where different perspectives are valued and people are supported to grow.
  • Strong project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of work.
  • A curious, proactive and collaborative approach, with a willingness to champion great ideas and help turn them into meaningful outcomes.
  • Additional Information

Zenith UK offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees.

Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave.

  • You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:
  • Pension
  • Life Assurance
  • Private Medical cover
  • Reflection Days
  • Shared Parental Leave

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

Zenith UK , we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process.

If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know.

We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you.

Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.

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Business Director - 12 month FTC employer: Publicis Groupe UK

Publicis Sapient is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Digital Transformation Associate Consultant, you will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, working alongside industry leaders while contributing to impactful projects for diverse clients. With a focus on a start-up mindset, the company encourages creativity and agility, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a vibrant environment.

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Contact Details:

Publicis Groupe UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Director - 12 month FTC

✨Dive into Local Events

Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.

✨Show Off Your Work

Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!

✨Utilise Online Job Boards

Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!

✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources

If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!

We think you need these skills to ace Business Director - 12 month FTC

Strategic Media Planning
Data-Driven Decision Making
Client Relationship Management
Commercial Judgement
Forecasting
Resource Management
Account Profitability Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!

Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Publicis Groupe UK from day one!

Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!

Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Publicis Groupe UK specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!

How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Groupe UK

✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio

As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Publicis Groupe UK, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.

✨Understand the Latest Trends

We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Publicis Groupe UK you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.

✨Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Publicis Groupe UK that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

✨Ready Your Communication Strategy

Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Publicis Groupe UK, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!