Head of Strategy & Planning

Ready to take the next step?

We are creative problem solvers, we unpack complex situations and deliver simple solutions to get our clients message to market quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. Since 1961 we’ve been all about working with great people to make more possible for our clients. We’re a global family of 900+ creatives, thinkers, managers, and experts, delivering award winning work across many disciplines. We’re proud to partner with some of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and businesses, across a wide range of sectors – from retail, automotive, and charity, to financial services and the public sector.

Due to continued growth we’re looking for the brightest minds to support our creative agency. The purpose of the role is to deliver the strategy and planning service line for Agency whilst supporting and aiding client services and new business across the group to deliver ‘More’ for existing and new clients. The role will also play a leading part in growing our innovation programme, working alongside our Director of Customer Experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Design, plan and execute all collaborative strategic workshops with clients and stakeholders specialising in brand proposition, comms planning and multichannel campaign execution.
• Scoping, defining success and setting KPI and Measurement indicators.
• Persona, pen portrait development and customer journey planning, leveraging insights from Acorn and Experian data
• Provide retained support to a range of clients on executing go to market strategies.
• Work with and support the business strategy department
• Assist group and Agency new business development with tender submissions, pitch processes and proposals.
• Support CSD’s and AD’s across the whole business with client development, identifying opportunities for adding value and growth.
• Work with the creative director and team to ‘add value’ to the creative briefing process and deliver brand proposition and comms.
• Commissioning 3rd party research including analysis of competitor landscapes, qual and quant insight and data analysts.
• Maintain relationships with third party suppliers specifically media buyers, analysts, researchers and PR agencies.
• Promote service line through thought leadership publication and networking.
• Supporting workflow and pipeline of strategy department reporting on efficiency and profitability to S&D Director.
• Maintain best practice ways of working, including workflow management, and briefing process
• Develop and promote the strategic toolkit to educate internally and externally to international agencies
• Play a leading part in the development of the Group innovation programme, alongside the Director of Customer Experiences and external innovation consultant
• Support Group marketing on the ongoing testing and development of propositions across all service lines
• Ensure visibility across the entire Group of relevant market insights and products to ensure APS is seen as a thought leader, providing strategic dialogue with clients and prospects
• Work closely with 3^rd party analytics and insight agencies to deliver a clear proposition to clients and prospects for this service line and wider opportunities

Skills & experience ideally required

• Minimum 5 years in similar planning & strategy role
• Confidence in presenting and facilitating
• Understanding of true multichannel and customer journey outputs
• Strategic customer communications planning experience
• Evidence of retail, financial services and public sector client experience
• Senior stakeholder management experience
• Knowledge of leading insight tools
• Analytical and insight driven
• Good communications and relationship builder

Sound like you?

Please forward your CV to us: recruitment@theapsgroup.com

And don’t hesitate to get in touch with our recruitment team, if you have any questions about the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer.  

This material is available in alternative formats upon request.

Please allow 7-10 days for the alternative format.

Please contact our recruitment team to request this: recruitment@theapsgroup.com or call + 44 (0) 161 495 4500

All appointments are subject to DBS Disclosure and Financial Check.