Performance Planning Director

We think big. And act bigger. Stay versatile and interconnected. We approach everything with an inventive spirit and rigorous mindset. Individually we’re great, but as a team we’re unstoppable. Together, we seek out opportunities, frame problems and solve complex challenges. Our collective brilliance exposes breakthroughs. Our capability unleashes creativity. We pursue a new perspective and deliver a new kind of ROI.

Zenith International is the central team, primarily based in London, supporting our local Zenith markets, leading new business efforts, developing thought-leadership, and driving network development for our 250 offices across 95 countries with over 8,000 staff worldwide.

We house a large team of multi-faceted communications planners, digital and innovation specialists and client leadership teams. Our global client portfolio comprises a range of category leaders including Adobe, Reckitt, TikTok, Edrington, Coty and Electrolux.

Our Commitment

At Zenith International, we believe that fostering an inclusive culture where all talent can thrive makes our company stronger and help drive invention in the work we do for our clients better. We also believe it enables a greater idea exchange that fuels innovation and best reflects diverse consumer experiences.

We are committed to encouraging our talent to participate in Publicis Groupe’s wide variety of talent engagement and inclusion programming, which includes professional development experiences and participation in the company’s many business resource groups. These include VivaWomen!, Égalité, MOCA (Men Of Colour Alliance) and more than a dozen others that are thriving across our network.

Through advocacy, education and inclusion we foster greater collaboration among our people, which in turn inspires work that provides better experiences for our clients and their consumers.

About the opportunity....

Zenith International (part of Publicis Media) is looking for a Performance Planning Director to lead performance planning across Search, Metasearch, Paid Social and Programmatic for an exciting client brand following an important pitch win. In this role you will have the opportunity to lead a renowned award-winning team of 30+ digital experts across two continents and a multitude of platforms.

Who we are looking for....

We are looking for a credible leader to drive performance planning for a key agency client account for the Europe and North Africa region. You will be responsible for regularly updating and reiterating plans and strategy across channels to ensure delivery of the client’s goals and business objectives. You will have the gravitas to convince and persuade senior client stakeholders and give them confidence in our solutions. You will be a calming presence under pressure and motivate those around you to deliver operational excellence.

You have a passion for all things digital, live and breathe numbers and have exceptional problem-solving abilities, enabling clients to understand key blockers affecting performance. This performance account is one of the largest in the global roster, and the ideal candidate will have a passion for making automation drive performance at scale through the use of (not an exclusive list) AI, scripts, dashboarding solutions and our industry leading tech stack.

The person we are looking for is someone who will go beyond ownership of this key account to looking at shaping our Agency's performance planning product as a whole.

About the Client....

This is a new client for Zenith International as the result of a recent competitive pitch win. It is a ‘Power of One’ client, comprising the best talent and product offering from agencies across the Publicis Groupe, including creative, production, strategy, technology and media planning and buying. The win represents a significant commercial opportunity for the agency and will provide a platform for talent to learn, grow and progress their careers.

The client is a leader in the international travel and hospitality industry with a significant footprint globally, most notably within Europe and North Africa, offering premium, mid-range and economy solutions for guests. They invest in all digital media across brand and performance and have clear and specific KPIs the agency will be measured against. In order to deliver these KPIs, we need the best talent to drive strategic innovation and operational excellence, consistently.

This role will sit within the Europe and North Africa (ENA) region and will have accountability for delivery across 43 local markets in a centralised regional model.

About the job....

• Primary strategic point of contact across the client’s search business
• Be an internal ambassador for the client team and for the search department
• Full accountability for the delivery output of the 19-strong search team
• Define and execute the strategic approach in collaboration with the client and with wider strategy and channel leads
• Analyse wider industry and market trends and how these apply and affect client’s account performance
• Liaise with Performance Planning Director and Ad-Ops team to ensure consistent measurement and tracking in place across all search accounts
• Lead key partnerships with Google, Microsoft, SKAI and Meta Search partners
• Develop a strong team ethos and exhibit focused and positive team leadership
• Identify areas of development for line reports and creating career development plans
• Generate case study worthy work and enter industry awards
• Drive innovation and push the boundaries of search, finding new ways to deliver against client expectations
• Contribute to new business pitches as required

What you need to succeed....

• Strong knowledge and experience of performance media
• Deep channel expertise across Search, Programmatic, Social
• Good experience in a Global/EMEA role delivering multi-market client scopes
• Deep knowledge of data-driven media planning
• Expertise in ad tech management
• Senior leadership experience in media agency
• Senior client stakeholder management experience

Nice to have....

• Knowledge of AI and AI-relevant coding languages e.g. Python
• Experience in the relevant industry

Zenith International has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans we 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.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS This includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

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).