Account Planning Manager

Company description Spark Foundry make up part of a thriving global media network and are 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 uncovers 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: We’re looking for a Planning Manager to lead strategy across a portfolio of high-profile UK clients spanning retail, automotive, and quick-service dining. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on campaigns that reach millions, driving engagement, shaping perceptions, and influencing customer behaviour. You’ll work closely with a client-agency partnership that values insight, creativity, and strategic thinking—supporting briefs from brand-building initiatives to highly targeted, performance-driven campaigns.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the planning process across multiple client accounts, ensuring campaigns are insight-led and audience-focused
• Collaborating with strategy, creative, and activation teams to deliver effective multi-channel campaigns
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships
• Managing day-to-day planning tasks, helping the team stay motivated and deliver high-quality work
• Monitoring campaign performance and contributing to post-campaign evaluation and optimisation

What we’re looking for:

• Solid media planning experience, ideally across retail, automotive, or QSR/foodservice sectors
• Strong organisational and leadership skills, able to manage day-to-day planning and support client conversations
• A confident communicator, able to translate insight and strategy into actionable plans
• Experience delivering campaigns across digital, social, and traditional channels
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in fast-paced, client-facing environments

Why this role: This is a unique opportunity to support planning for a diverse portfolio of high-profile UK clients, where your work will directly influence campaign performance and customer engagement. You’ll be part of a collaborative, talented team with the chance to contribute to campaigns that get noticed and make an impact.

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. Wellbeing 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).