Digital Strategy Manager

Company Description

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, P&O Ferries, 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 three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly, Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023!

Job Description

Ready to shape the future of digital trading at scale? APEX is a fast-growing, specialist digital strategy team within Publicis Media — built on market-leading expertise, trading advantage, and innovation. We partner with agencies, clients, and premium media owners to create smarter, more flexible, and more effective digital solutions across the full media ecosystem.

We’re now looking for a Digital Strategy Manager to help drive growth, lead a talented team, and accelerate adoption of APEX solutions across some of the UK’s most exciting brands.

Responsibilities

• Drive client growth across agency patches through best-in-class digital strategies
• Lead and develop a team of Digital Strategy Executives in a commercially focused environment
• Champion the APEX proposition, increasing adoption of APEX products and solutions
• Own client investment forecasts and agency engagement plans
• Coordinate strategy and activation, acting as a key bridge between agencies and activation teams
• Build strong, senior relationships with partners to fuel long-term revenue growth

At APEX, we don’t just plan media — we build products, unlock value, and drive outcomes. Our team:

• Creates innovative, performance-driven and carbon-neutral digital solutions
• Delivers guaranteed pricing and flexibility across Display, Video, Social, Audio, DOOH, CTV, and Retail Media
• Works at the centre of Publicis Media, shaping annual strategies and delivering results that matter

You’ll collaborate with leading UK agency brands across the Publicis Media network and work on a diverse portfolio of high-profile UK and global clients. You’ll also work closely with premium media owners through extensive strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in agency sales or client development across social media & digital channels
• Expertise across platforms such as DV360, TTD, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and Criteo
• Confidence working with a broad digital vendor ecosystem
• Social media buying/planning experience across multiple platforms.
• Ability to build omnichannel media plans and audience strategies
• Commercial mindset with a passion for closing deals and driving growth
• Experience leading and developing small teams
• Advanced skills in PowerPoint and Excel

Why Join?

This is a chance to:

• Work at the forefront of digital strategy and trading
• Influence how digital solutions evolve within Publicis Media
• Lead, grow, and make a genuine commercial impact
• Be part of a collaborative, ambitious, and forward-thinking team

If you’re excited by innovation, thrive in a commercial environment, and want to shape the future of digital strategy — we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of APEX’s next phase of growth.

Additional Information

Starcom 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.

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 EAGs (Employee Action Groups).