At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic direction for major brands and drive impactful communications.
- Company: Join Starcom, a global leader in media and communications with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits including pension, private medical cover, and reflection days.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of exciting brands and make a real impact on business growth.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in media strategy and a collaborative mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our ‘Power of One’ business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.
We place a huge focus on our People, and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential, and we encourage everyone to make “Brave Plays” in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for five years in a row, Media Week's Agency of the Year 2025 and one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025.
We are hiring a Strategy Director to shape the future of one of the UK’s most exciting retail and FMCG portfolios. This is an opportunity to lead strategic thinking on Aldi, while contributing to brands in the Mars portfolio including Dolmio and Ben's - driving work that genuinely influences business growth. You’ll sit at the heart of client conversations, connecting human behaviour, media and commercial outcomes. If you’re motivated by solving complex challenges and making a measurable impact, this role offers a brilliant platform to do just that.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategic direction for Aldi, identifying growth opportunities and shaping communications that deliver real business impact.
- Contribute strategic leadership across Mars Food & Nutrition brands, navigating evolving consumer behaviours and category dynamics.
- Develop clear, compelling narratives that connect audience insight, media strategy and commercial objectives.
- Partner closely with senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on both short-term priorities and long-term growth.
- Collaborate with planning teams to translate strategy into effective, measurable media plans.
- Strengthen the quality of decision-making by connecting audience understanding with channel and investment choices.
- Support and mentor team members, helping to build confidence, capability and consistently high standards of strategic thinking.
Qualifications
- Strong experience in media strategy, communications planning or integrated planning.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders and contribute to business decision-making.
- Experience working with complex brands, ideally within retail, FMCG or consumer-focused categories.
- A strong understanding of how media planning translates into commercial outcomes.
- Confidence in navigating both long‑term strategy and day‑to‑day planning challenges.
- Clear, structured thinking with the ability to simplify complex problems.
- A collaborative mindset with a genuine interest in developing others and improving team performance.
Starcom 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.
At Starcom, 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.
Strategy Director in London employer: Publicis Media
Starcom is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, fostering a welcoming and supportive culture recognised as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for five consecutive years. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside robust learning and development programmes, employees are empowered to reach their fullest potential while working on exciting brands like Aldi and Mars. The collaborative environment encourages innovative thinking and offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the media landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Director in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Publicis Media!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Strategy Director position at Publicis Media via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Publicis Media.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Publicis Media’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Media
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Publicis Media. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Publicis Media. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Publicis Media.
