At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative campaigns for health and lifestyle brands, turning insights into creative strategies.
- Company: Join Spark Foundry, part of a global media network with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, reflection days, and fantastic local discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while growing in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in media planning, strong communication skills, and a passion for health trends.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 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. 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 four 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).
Planning Manager employer: Publicisgroupe
At Spark Foundry, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions diversity, creativity, and employee growth. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing you to lead impactful campaigns for health and lifestyle brands while enjoying unique benefits like flexible working, additional leave for well-being, and the opportunity to work globally. Join us in a supportive environment where your career can flourish and your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Spark Foundry. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for health and lifestyle trends! When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, share your insights and ideas on how these trends impact consumer behaviour. It’ll show you’re not just another candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’d tackle challenges in planning and campaign delivery. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Spark Foundry team.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in cross-channel media planning and any relevant work with health, lifestyle, or tech clients. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Creativity:Don’t just list your skills; show us how you've used them! Share examples of campaigns you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to turn insights into creative strategies. We love seeing innovative thinking in action!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for a proactive communicator who enjoys problem-solving and client contact. Share your passion for health and wellbeing trends and how they influence consumer behaviour.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about our fantastic benefits and company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicisgroupe
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into the health and lifestyle brands Spark Foundry works with. Understand their campaigns, values, and target audiences. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to their success.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Be prepared to talk about how you've used data to inform your media strategies in the past. Bring examples of how you've turned insights into actionable plans, especially in performance-driven campaigns. This aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for in a Planning Manager.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Planning Manager, you'll need to manage client relationships effectively. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think of scenarios where you've successfully navigated client challenges or collaborated with creative teams to ensure consistency across campaigns.
✨Embrace Curiosity and Adaptability
Spark Foundry values a curious mindset. Be ready to discuss how you stay updated on health and wellbeing trends and how these influence consumer behaviour. Share examples of how you've adapted your strategies based on new insights or changing market conditions.