The role

If you’re an experienced, inspiring and commercially astute Associate Planning Director who thrives on shaping strategy, building client relationships and leading teams, we’d love to hear from you. Denholm are delighted to be working with a leading and highly-regarded creative agency who provide world-class expertise and output for ambitious brands and household names alike.

Right now, they are seeking an Associate Planning Director to join their Newcastle-based team. This award-winning agency have built their reputation on helping clients build powerful brands through engaging brand stories, that are as unique as they are memorable.

As Associate Planning Director, you’ll not only lead on strategic thinking for key accounts but also help steer the overall planning function, supporting the Planning Director in shaping agency strategy and raising the agency’s profile.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting into the Planning Director, you’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the planning function, overseeing strategy for your key accounts while coaching, inspiring and developing the wider planning team. Other responsibilities include:

• Overseeing strategic relationships with your clients, becoming a trusted advisor at senior level.

• Leading the development of brand, creative and comms strategies, proactively identifying opportunities for brand growth.

• Approving and shaping strategic outputs from the team, inspiring colleagues and clients on all strategic matters.

• Coaching junior colleagues in research techniques, qualitative and quantitative methods, and the translation of data into insight.

• Championing inspirational, insight-driven briefs and leading creative reviews to help work reach its full potential.

• Acting as a sounding board for creative colleagues and providing coaching on nurturing effective creative work.

• Bringing a strong and informed perspective on established and emerging media channels, building productive relationships with media partners.

• Being the go-to holder of knowledge for your key accounts, sharing sector insight, advertising/brand expertise and thought leadership with the agency and clients.

• Publishing thought leadership at least 6 times a year, speaking at events and raising the agency’s profile in the wider marketing community.

• Driving the agency’s effectiveness culture internally and with clients, approving effectiveness programmes and ensuring best practice is embedded across the team.

• Playing a leading role in new business — from leading pitches and writing proposals through to identifying opportunities and growing networks.

Who we’re looking for

• A proven strategic leader with extensive agency experience, ideally at Senior Planner or Planning Director level, ready to step up and take ownership of the planning function.

• An inspiring communicator, able to set the standard for verbal and written communication across the team, and confident presenting to senior clients, Boards and C-Suites.

• Commercially minded, with a track record of contributing to agency growth through new business and by strengthening client partnerships.

• A natural coach and mentor, with the ability to nurture talent, manage with empathy and compassion, and motivate the planning team.

• Knowledgeable and curious, always ahead of emerging trends in advertising, media, culture and consumer behaviour.

• Credible with agency leaders and senior clients, earning trust through clarity, confidence and strategic insight.

In return for all of your hard work, you'll be rewarded with a generous package of health and wellbeing, work/life balance and development benefits, a winning team culture and highly competitive salary.

If that sounds like your ideal next move, apply today!