Business Director - Client Planning

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

As Business Director, you will lead and oversee the development, execution, and continuous refinement of strategic media plans for a diverse range of clients, including Hollywood Bowl Group and Ascot.

This role requires a blend of media expertise, strategic communications thinking, and leadership to ensure our media planning not only delivers business results but also drives transformation and long-term brand growth. You will work closely with client stakeholders, as well as the agency senior leadership team and all agency staff, to ensure that our approach to media is both commercially effective and communications-smart.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Client Servicing:
• Lead senior client relationship, ensuring a deep understanding of their business objectives, audience needs and competitive landscape.
• Create and own the client roadmap into the agency, managing and reacting to market challenge and change
• Own the client relationship, acting as their trusted strategic advisor, brining audience-first, test-and-learn mindset to every engagement
• Develop and lead client QBR meetings
• Manage client contracts, scope of work and PRF frameworks ensuring all contractual commitments are being delivered against
• Involve leadership in key client engagements

2. Media Planning, Strategy and Measurement:
• Provide expertise and objective strategic advice across media and measurement
• Accountable for the media strategy & planning ideation across all media channels, delivering against client brief
• Responsible for the teams adoption of Planning for Performance, utilising SOSTAC with best in class planning approaches
• Have oversight of the flow of briefs, deliverables and overall output of team
• Set clear goals linked to broader business objectives as part of the team and client strategy
• Expand data and measurement remit for clients, including MTA and MMM

3. Business Growth and Budget Management:
• Identify opportunities for organic growth, aligning media strategies with business impact.
• Ensure all financial goals and commercial agreements are met and optimised.
• Drive efficiency by aligning team resources, investment strategies, and media execution with business objectives.

4. Team Leadership:
• Cultivate a high-performing team through coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Embed a culture of collaboration, innovation, and test-and-learn experimentation.
• Collaborate effectively with the senior leadership team and all agency staff, ensuring alignment on strategic goals and business impact.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and ensure Smithfield remains at the forefront of media innovation and transformation.

The Package

Generous Annual Leave (23 days + birthday & 3 additional Christmas days off)
Training Opportunities
Potential for sabbatical with service
Private Healthcare, including
o 24 hour GP
o Self-refer physio
o Mental health support
o Discounted gym memberships, active wear and tech, cashback on healthy food, daily coffee, monthly cinema tickets
o Eye tests & flu jabs
Enhanced Mat & Pat leave policies
Hybrid working
Season ticket loans & Cycle to work schemes
Social Committee; monthly get to together
Culture Committee; a team dedicated to celebrating cultural events throughout the year
Pizza Wednesdays
Smithfield Run Club / Football Club / Pub Quiz Club

The Agency

Smithfield Agency

We’re Smithfield, an independent media planning and buying agency founded in 2011. We specialise in brand response and performance media, so we love measuring business outcomes for our clients.