Business Director, Connections Planning - 6 month FTC

Role: Business Director
Department/Team: Connections Planning

Role Objective

We are recruiting a Business Director who is an exceptional and driven media planner to join our Connections Planning team.

You will work on the Ford account in the UK - the biggest auto advertiser and one of the largest at Mindshare. We operate a unique 'full service' model, collaborating closely with creative and account management teams within the Ford agency structure, primarily working with VMLYR.

We foster a fully integrated team approach across media, creative, and client, working across three locations: 2 days (Mon-Tue) at Ford's Dunton office (short taxi from Shenfield on the Elizabeth Line; travel costs covered), 1 day (Wed) at VML Sea Containers House, and 1 day (Thu) at Mindshare Rose Court.

About the role

As a senior Planning lead, your main responsibilities include directing and overseeing the creation and execution of integrated media strategies that deliver outstanding results for Ford UK. You will lead strategic planning, annual budgeting, and work with the 'Live Planner' to monitor ongoing campaign performance, focusing on channel choice and consumer/category insight.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the development of strategic planning and annual media strategies, leveraging audience insights and category understanding to inform campaign approaches.
• Guide client teams during briefings to ensure clear and actionable briefs.

Relationship Management:

• Maintain strong partnerships with Ford UK, VMLYR, channel teams, central agency teams, and other partners.
• Act as the primary strategic liaison with VML teams for responsive inputs, creative assets, and delivery management.
• Ensure transparent communication across all campaign developments.
• Manage and mentor the Connections Planning team, overseeing workloads, fostering growth, and ensuring timely delivery of quality outputs.
• Oversee weekly status reports, maintaining accountability for campaign outcomes.

Campaign and Budget Management:

• Manage the strategic allocation of annual and campaign-specific budgets.
• Identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect performance.
• Ensure campaigns meet KPIs, adapting strategies as needed in real-time.

Innovation and Collaboration:

• Work with central strategy teams to align local and broader strategies.
• Explore and introduce innovative media solutions to improve campaign effectiveness.
• Promote digital innovation and emerging platforms to keep Ford UK competitive.

About you

• Proven senior experience in strategic media planning, preferably in automotive or similar industries.
• Ability to simplify complex client requests, visualize strategies, and guide teams effectively.
• Extensive experience managing budgets, strategic planning, and leading teams.
• Expertise in audience research and planning tools (e.g., TGI, Touchpoints), with knowledge of additional media data sources.
• Skilled in designing measurement frameworks with clear insights.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with confidence in presenting to senior clients.
• Passionate about innovation, flexible, proactive, and a challenger mindset.
• Highly organized, foresightful, and able to manage priorities proactively.
• Committed to team development, collaboration, and continuous growth.

What we offer

• A competitive salary aligned with experience
• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Opportunities to attend industry conferences and awards
• Career and personal growth
• Excellent pension scheme

About Mindshare

Mindshare is a global marketing and media services network with over £23 billion in billings worldwide. We work with leading brands like Unilever, Ford, KFC, Marks & Spencer, and TK Maxx. Our network includes 116 offices across 86 countries, dedicated to delivering competitive marketing advantages for our clients.

Our approach

We aim to drive Good Growth-growth that is enduring and considers people and the planet. We use media responsibly, inclusively, and sustainably, placing people at the heart of our strategies. Our values-Energy, Empathy, and Impact-inspire us to create meaningful change.

Working for Mindshare

We invest in our people's development and foster an inspiring environment through initiatives like our annual event, Huddle, which promotes learning and connection.

Committed to Diversity & Inclusion

We aspire to be the most inclusive employer in the country. Our Employee Resource Groups, including Roots, PrideM, Women in Business, Enable, Declassify, 0Borders, ADAM, and Working Parents, support this goal by fostering an inclusive culture and leading initiatives to ensure everyone feels valued and confident.