Ready to make your application Please do read through the description at least once before clicking on Apply. 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover) A senior planning and buying role with genuine ownership, stepping into a live, established client portfolio for 12 months. Location: Derbyshire (open to being based in Manchester or Birmingham) Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, maternity cover (start date TBC) Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 DOE Working model: Hybrid, 3 days in the office and 2 from home About the agency Our client is a multi-award-winning, independent media agency with offices across the Midlands and North West. They plan and buy for national and regional brands across a wide range of sectors, and have been nationally recognised as one of the best agencies in the UK to work for. It's a friendly, ambitious team where good work gets noticed and people are genuinely supported to grow. The role You'll pick up an established portfolio of client accounts and take real ownership of channel strategy, budget allocation and supplier negotiation for the length of the contract. Working closely with the sales, client success and creative teams, you'll keep everything running smoothly for clients from day one. This one suits someone who blends strategic thinking with hands-on buying experience and can hit the ground running with minimal handover. What you'll be doing * Build multi-channel media strategies across TV, radio, press, OOH and digital, shaped around each client's objectives and budget * Plan and book campaigns, negotiating with media owners and suppliers to secure strong rates and added value * Own campaign delivery from start to finish, making sure everything is booked, trafficked and optimised on time * Manage the day-to-day on your own client accounts * Act as senior planning support for Account Managers, from presentations and planning data to campaign insight * Analyse performance and pull together post-campaign reports that turn data into clear next steps for clients * Keep the agency ahead on media insight, market research, emerging channels and rate trends * Build lasting relationships with media owners, partners and internal teams * Support the wider planning team with campaign setup, QA and reporting * Oversee billing admin for the team and help drive process improvements What they're looking for * Solid media planning and buying experience, ideally agency-side, across TV, radio, OOH, press and digital * TV planning experience (a big plus) * A proven track record negotiating with media owners across multiple channels * Confidence with media planning and buying tools and audience data sources * Comfortable presenting strategy and results directly to clients * Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn data into a clear story * A collaborative style and the ability to support and guide more junior planners * Great organisation and the ability to hit deadlines in a fast-moving environment * A real interest in where media is heading and what that means for clients * Content creation experience would be a bonus Benefits * Tax-free company bonus scheme * Hybrid and flexible working * Gym membership * Structured learning and development programme and ongoing CPD * Wellbeing programme * Regular team socials and team-building events The agency is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you don't tick every box, please still get in touch. Interested? xrexnqw Contact Rosalie Byrne at Nextech Group for a confidential chat.
