Comms Planning Director

COMMS PLANNING DIRECTOR

LONDON (Hybrid Working)

A benchmarked salary between £67,000 to £80,000 based on your level within our progression framework .

👋 Who we are

Born Social is a global social media agency that brings social-first thinking to the brands of tomorrow.

For the last 10 years, we’ve helped brands navigate and harness the chaos of social, bringing method to the madness - for household names like Guinness, Primark and Ford, and the next generation of brands like Nando’s, Peloton and Fever-Tree.

As a proud B Corp, we care about People, Planet and Profit in equal measure - building a business and a culture where social-first talent can thrive.

We’re proud to be part of Croud - a global, full-service digital marketing agency. Together, we operate as a unique scaled network of Intelligent, Creative Specialists, delivering better brand outcomes and unlocking potential for our people, our clients, and our communities.

This is a Croud role , focused on building a new communications planning discipline across Croud and Born Social.

As Comms Planning Director , you'll lead the connection between media, creative, and data - shaping how brands show up across the modern media landscape, with social at the heart.

You'll play a pivotal role in bridging the brilliant creative thinking at Born Social with the media expertise at Croud, helping deliver full-funnel, social-first strategies that drive real results.

✏️ What you'll be doing:

• Establishing the Comms Planning Discipline

  • Define what Comms Planning means at Croud – a strategic layer focused on audience insight, channel strategy, and creative format opportunity. Build the team, define the tools and process, and embed it into our core offering.

• Leading Client Strategy

  • Be the face of Comms Planning to our clients. Lead the strategic output on flagship accounts, particularly where media and creative must work hand-in-hand. Show how this approach drives clarity, cohesion, and effectiveness.
    

• Connecting Media and Creative

  • Act as the strategic connector between Croud and Born Social. Champion the role of social as a lead channel and ensure campaigns are joined up across the funnel – from insight to execution.
    

• Product & Process Development

  • Develop a scalable Comms Planning product, with clear frameworks and templates. Collaborate with the Social Analytics team to build learning loops into every campaign and evolve our offering based on what works.

• Team & Department Leadership

  • Lead both the Comms Planning and Social Analytics teams. Build a high-performing group of planners and analysts with the skills and mindset to deliver modern, social-first media strategy.

• Thought Leadership & Reputation Building

  • Position Croud as a leader in Comms Planning. Represent us in pitches, conferences, and industry conversations. Collaborate with Born Social on case studies and awards that prove the power of this way of working.

👀 Who we're looking for:

• Comms Planning Expert: You have 8+ years of experience in comms, media, or channel strategy roles – ideally within an agency setting. You know how to connect audience insight, platform thinking, and creative strategy into one cohesive plan.

• Strategic Storyteller: You bring a clear point of view on how brands should show up across the media landscape – especially social. You simplify complexity and turn strategy into action.

• Creative x Media Connector: You thrive in the intersection of media, creative, and data. You understand how messaging, format, and placement work together to drive results.

• Team Builder: You’ve built or scaled strategic functions before. You know how to hire, develop, and inspire talent – and how to codify your thinking into repeatable products and processes.

• Data-Led Thinker: You’re confident working with data, collaborating with analysts, and using insights to sharpen thinking and improve outcomes.

• Client Leader: You’re comfortable in front of senior clients. You know how to influence, challenge, and educate – making strategy a trusted and valuable part of every partnership.

• Social-Native Mindset: You understand the unique power of social in modern communication – and how to make it work harder as part of a full-funnel plan.

• Collaborative Operator: You’re naturally cross-functional. You’re energised by working across departments, agencies, and borders to deliver big-picture thinking and real-world results.

✌️ Our values

At Croud, our vision centres around the idea of unlocking potential. We do this by elevating everyone in an inclusive and progressive culture, empowering individuals to deliver their best work. This means we build better brand outcomes, and unlock potential for our people, our clients and our communities.

We live and breathe five core values that foster a culture where everyone can thrive. Our commitment to elevating each other is fundamental to both our cultural and business success. The ideal candidate will excel in and demonstrate the following:

• In it together - our value on integration, collaboration and outcomes
• Eye on the future - our value on futurism, creativity and passion
• Generous in spirit - our value on people, development and inclusion
• Do what you say - our value on integrity and accountability
• Make a difference - our value on purpose and impact

Company Benefits:

Croud operates a hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days a week based in our London office and the remaining days from home if you wish.

Croud offers a clear path to progression for all members of staff. We are committed to offering development opportunities alongside a support system of regular performance reviews. The opportunities are endless!

On completion of the three-month probation period, every employee is eligible for the benefits listed on our careers site which include:

• 25 days holiday per year with the option to purchase an additional 5 days
• Discretionary annual performance based incentive
• Sales Commission
• Sabbatical: Paid sabbatical at 7 years with an option to take it unpaid at 5 years
• Recruitment Referral Bonus
• Health & Wellbeing Contribution
• Ride to Work Scheme
• Railcard & Season Ticket Loan
• Home Office Equipment (chair and screen)
• Office Perks: Free fruit, breakfast cereals, lunches twice a week, snacks, and tea/coffee
• Enhanced Family Leave: Including primary and secondary family leave, extended parental leave, and shared family leave.
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Medical Cash Plan
• Pension
• Learning & Development: Access to Croud Campus, curated third-party learning platforms, and an IPA Membership with subsidised training and events
• Peer Recognition: Through our “Bonusly” program
• Team Off-Sites & Social Events
• Year-round Holiday Celebrations
• Flexible Working Options
• A Day to Make a Difference

Standard hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm, there’s flexibility if agreed in advance with your line managers (it may also be necessary on occasions to work outside of these hours).

Croud is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. All candidates will be assessed based on merit, qualifications and their ability to perform the requirements of the role.