Media Planning Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Media Planning Director

🔹 Company: Future Publishing

🔹 Location: London, City of, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days office, 2 days remote)

🔹 Category: Media & Publishing

🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading strategy, production, and delivery of pitches across multiple clients
• Collaborating with cross-functional specialists to create integrated solutions
• Promoting creative planning and pitching best practices within the team
• Working with well-known media brands and editorial experience to create winning pitches

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in media planning or strategy, with experience in producing successful pitches. A deep understanding of multi-media channels and modern content strategies is essential.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Co-lead the strategy, production, and delivery of pitches alongside sales and creative counterparts

✅ Partner with cross-functional specialists to deliver integrated solutions to client briefs

✅ Promote creative planning and pitching best practices and work to embed these behaviors in the team

✅ Use editorial experience and media brands to create winning pitches across multiple clients

ASSUMPTION: This role involves working on large brands, be it in an agency or with media publishers. It requires strategic thinking and a focus on return on investment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in media planning, strategy, or a related role

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in media planning and strategy
• Holistic planning approach, integrating brand and performance strategies
• In-depth knowledge of multi-media channels and technology interactions
• Experience with modern content creation and distribution strategies
• Strategic and ROI-focused mindset

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working on large brands in an agency or with media publishers
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in media planning or strategy, with experience in producing successful pitches. A deep understanding of multi-media channels and modern content strategies is essential.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £32,000 - £55,000 per year (based on experience and performance)

Benefits:

• Uncapped leave
• Profit share bonus
• Referral rewards
• Wellbeing support
• Share incentive plan

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on individual performance and company discretion.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Media Production

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 1985

Company Description:

• Future is the global leader in specialist media, with over 200 media brands across various sectors
• Offers a wide range of content, including magazines, events, websites, and social spaces
• Reaches 1 in 3 adults online in the UK and the US

Company Specialties:

• Magazines
• Events
• B2C and B2B content
• Content marketing
• eCommerce
• Technology
• Gaming
• Entertainment
• Home interest
• Knowledge
• Music
• Media
• Content creation
• Websites
• Social media
• Video
• Digital
• Fashion
• Advertising

Company Website: http://www.futureplc.com

ASSUMPTION: Future is a large, global media company with a diverse portfolio of brands. This role offers the opportunity to work on multiple clients across various sectors.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Head of Planning

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days office, 2 days remote)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to progress to a leadership role within the planning team
• Opportunity to work on a wide range of clients and projects
• Chance to develop skills in creative planning and pitching

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of career progression and skill development. It is well-suited to candidates looking to take the next step in their media planning career.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 days office, 2 days remote)

Office Location(s): London, City of, United Kingdom

Geographic Context:

• London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving media industry
• Future's London office is located in the Paddington area
• The role offers a mix of office-based and remote work, providing flexibility and work-life balance

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a good work-life balance, with a mix of office-based and remote work. The London office is located in a vibrant area with excellent transport links.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the team

Key Assessment Areas:

• Media planning and strategy skills
• Pitch production and delivery experience
• Collaboration and teamwork skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Future's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your media planning and strategy experience
• Prepare examples of successful pitches you have produced and delivered
• Research Future's media brands and be prepared to discuss how you would use them to create winning pitches

ATS Keywords: Media planning, strategy, pitch production, cross-functional collaboration, integrated solutions, client briefs, creative planning, multi-media channels, content creation, brand strategy, performance strategies

ASSUMPTION: Future uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes. Including relevant keywords in your application will increase your chances of being shortlisted.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Google Workspace
• Media planning and buying software (e.g., Mediamind, Adform, etc.)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. Familiarity with media planning and buying software is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passionate about our brands
• Collaborative and inclusive
• Ambitious and innovative
• Customer-focused
• Respectful and responsible

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Results-driven and proactive
• Creative and innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share a passion for Future's media brands and the sectors they cover?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively in a team environment?
• Do you have a proactive and results-driven approach to work?
• Are you comfortable working in a hybrid office/remote environment?

ASSUMPTION: Future values candidates who are passionate about their brands, collaborative, and results-driven. This role is well-suited to candidates who thrive in a hybrid office/remote environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple client pitches simultaneously
• Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing media landscape
• Balancing office-based and remote work effectively
• Adapting to a large, global company culture

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a dynamic and challenging work environment, with the potential for significant growth and development. However, it also requires strong time management, organizational, and communication skills to manage multiple client pitches effectively.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Media Planning Manager or Senior Media Planner role in an agency or publisher environment
• However, it offers the opportunity to work on a wider range of clients and projects, due to Future's diverse portfolio of media brands
• Career progression opportunities may vary depending on the specific company and its structure

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of clients and projects, due to Future's diverse portfolio of media brands. However, career progression opportunities may vary depending on the specific company and its structure.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a winning pitch for a new FMCG client, integrating brand and performance strategies
• Creating an integrated cross-platform solution for a tech client, leveraging Future's media brands and editorial experience
• Producing a creative and innovative pitch for an entertainment client, showcasing Future's expertise in the sector

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role. Actual projects may vary depending on client needs and priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical client mix for this role?
• How does this role fit into the wider planning team and company structure?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Future support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company culture like, and how does this role contribute to it?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are intended to help you better understand the role, the team, and the company. Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in and engagement with the opportunity.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your media planning and strategy experience
• Prepare examples of successful pitches you have produced and delivered
• Research Future's media brands and be prepared to discuss how you would use them to create winning pitches
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.