Media Planning Associate Director

Location: [Hybrid - London, 2 days per week]Level: Please note 'Associate Director' is an external job title, internally our levels are broader meaning the internal job title is 'Senior Manager' within our structure.About the RoleWe are looking for a Media Planning Associate Director to join our Planning Team at SMG. In this role, you will lead the development of integrated, full-funnel media strategies across multiple retailers, blending brand-building with performance marketing. You’ll create impactful media plans using retailer data and insight tools to drive brand awareness, customer acquisition, and business outcomes—across digital, in-store, and offsite channels. This is an opportunity to shape strategy for some of the UK’s most loved brands while staying at the cutting edge of media innovation.If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role.Why SMG?At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us—people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams.Our culture is everything. If you’re someone who stays honest, stays hungry, stays foolish, and has fun, you’ll feel right at home here.We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together.We’re proud to be ranked the #1 Best Marketing and Media Agency and to have received World-Class accreditation from Best Companies.£1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary)Free Headspace subscription£500 yearly “Uni Fund” for learning4 extra Wellbeing Days off per yearSummer & Winter conferences + year-round celebrations4pm finishes every FridayFlexible and hybrid workingExplore all our benefits hereAre We What You’re Looking For?We move fast, adapt quickly, and like to challenge each other. We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team.This isn’t for everyone, but if you thrive in this environment, we’d love to meet youA Little Bit About YouYou’ll bring:A strong track record in media planning and buying across both brand and performance campaignsExperience in channels including programmatic, search, social, and traditional mediaAbility to use data, insights, and retailer first-party data to inform media strategiesStrong understanding of the media and martech landscapeExcellent communication and stakeholder management skillsProven leadership and team development experienceStrong analytical skills and a results-oriented mindsetExperience with CPG brands and retail media is a plusA proactive, hustle mindset and eagerness to collaborate across teamsDon’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you. If you believe you’d thrive in this role, your unique perspective might be just what we’re looking for.What You’ll Be DoingYour days will be dynamic. You might find yourself:Leading the creation and delivery of full-funnel, insight-driven media strategiesPlanning and executing campaigns across digital, OOH, social, in-store and onsite/offsite retailer touchpointsSegmenting audiences and aligning messaging to business goalsManaging budgets to maximise performance and brand KPIsDriving continuous optimisation with robust measurement frameworksCollaborating across media ops, strategy, client, and sales teamsPresenting strategies and insights to clients and internal stakeholdersStaying ahead of media trends to inform strategy and innovationOur ValuesStay Hungry – Be proactive. Take pride.Stay Honest – Seek to understand. Build trust.Stay Foolish – Embrace change. Always learning.Have Fun – Champion positivity. Win together.Explore what that means to us hereStill Curious?We always send a confirmation email – check your spam if you don’t see it.Problems? Email: careers@smg.teamOur full data retention policy can be found here. #J-18808-Ljbffr