Strategy Director (European Market)

BRAND: Publicis Media
Job Function: Strategy
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Specialist
Workplace Type: Hybrid

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!

Overview

Deliver strategy that leads from the centre.

We're looking for a Strategy Director to join one of the most ambitious and high-profile global accounts in our network. Based in London, you'll be working as part of a cross-discipline, European hub team that develops the blueprint for media excellence across dozens of markets.

This role is ideal for someone with a proven track record in planning or strategy, who can translate vision into action-leading the development of robust comms strategies and ensuring flawless integration with commerce, content, social and production teams. You'll guide the transition from regional strategy to local activation and help bring together all agency partners under a unified direction.

You'll be joining a strategically driven, creatively curious team working at the heart of a client that is widely regarded as one of the best partners in the industry.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading end-to-end media strategy development across European markets
• Responding to briefs and building clear, compelling rationales for cross-channel planning
• Collaborating with internal experts in commerce, social, content and production to deliver truly connected thinking
• Guiding annual media planning, go-to-market strategies and campaign blueprints
• Using data, tools and human insight to drive effectiveness and continual learning
• Engaging regularly with stakeholders across multiple disciplines and countries

What we're looking for:

• Extensive experience in planning and/or strategy roles, ideally with an international focus
• A background that blends strategic thinking with operational know-how
• International or regional experience (ideal but not essential)
• Strong client management skills, able to challenge with clarity and confidence
• Experience briefing activation teams and translating strategy into detailed plans
• Familiarity with media tools and performance data
• Integrated thinking: experience working across media, data, content, social or commerce
• A natural leader, collaborator and communicator

Why this role stands out:

• You'll be at the centre of the action-not just creating decks, but influencing real, market-led implementation
• The planning starts here: the regional hub team owns strategy, while local teams activate
• Exposure to best-in-class tools and innovation, with full leadership support
• A team culture built around openness, shared learning, and delivering excellence together
• You'll work with talented colleagues across Europe and beyond-with limited travel and most stakeholders based in London

Additional information

Publicis Groupe has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Planswe 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.

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).

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