Planning Account Director

Company Description

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.

Job Description: At Spark, our media planners blend analytical thinking, category insight, and channel expertise to drive campaigns that fuel client growth. We are data-driven and growth-oriented, leveraging technology and insights to deliver creative, high-impact solutions. For our retail client, one of the UK’s most recognised supermarkets, our work helps strengthen its position in a highly competitive market.

The Role: We’re looking for a Planning Director to lead strategy on a high-profile retail account. You’ll be a team-player with deep media planning knowledge, capable of building trusted relationships with mid-level clients and collaborating seamlessly with agency partners. Your work will be pivotal in producing best-in-class media campaigns that deliver commercial success.

What you’ll be doing:

• Orchestrating integrated retail campaigns across paid, owned, and earned channels, from brand initiatives to seasonal activations
• Leading cohesive media planning, particularly confident in AV, social, print, and audio channels
• Acting as the first point of contact for the client during live campaigns, managing campaign delivery, reporting, and financial reconciliation
• Championing excellence in planning, demonstrating a proactive desire to continually upskill and refine media expertise
• Writing directional and inspiring briefs that link clients with investment teams, ensuring the best output from each channel
• Thinking on your feet, responding to competitor activity, budget changes, and business needs with clarity and speed

Team Leadership: Develop, mentor, and upskill junior planners to become top-standard media professionals. Support the wider team, driving a culture of collaboration, high standards, and creativity.

What we’re looking for:

• Extensive experience in media planning for retail brands, with a track record of delivering large-scale, multi-channel campaigns
• Strong leadership skills, able to inspire teams and guide client conversations confidently
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Deep understanding of AV, social, print, and audio channels, with a passion for media excellence

Why this role matters: This is a rare opportunity to join a heritage UK retail brand at a time of strategic growth. You’ll lead planning on high-impact campaigns, shape the team’s approach, and directly influence commercial results—all while being part of a talented, collaborative agency environment.

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).