Company description
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our ‘Power of One’ business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, P&O Ferries, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.
We place a huge focus on our People and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential and we encourage everyone to make “Brave Plays” in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly, Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023!
Overview
The role
Starcom UK is looking for an experienced Strategy Partner to play a senior leadership role within the business, acting as a deputy to the Chief Strategy Officer and taking responsibility for strategic leadership across our most important clients, pitches and agency initiatives.
This is a high-impact role for a senior strategist who combines hands-on strategic rigour with strong leadership presence. You’ll help raise the strategic bar across the agency, shape Starcom’s point of view in the market, and play a visible role in driving growth through both client work and new business.
You’ll operate at the intersection of strategy, media and commercial thinking — trusted by senior clients, respected internally, and comfortable owning complex strategic challenges end-to-end.
What you’ll be doing
Strategic leadership
- Lead the strategic response on major pitches, with full ownership of the strategic narrative and direction
- Clearly define client business challenges and growth opportunities
- Create and communicate a strong “red thread” between client needs, strategy and media solutions
- Act as a senior strategic partner on Starcom’s largest and most complex client relationships
Agency impact
- Set and role-model high standards for strategic thinking across the agency
- Act as an escalation point for strategic challenges on accounts
- Share best practice with strategists and planners, raising capability across teams
- Support the CSO by owning key initiatives, helping free up capacity for broader agency transformation
Thought leadership & reputation
- Help strengthen Starcom UK’s profile for strategic excellence
- Contribute to trade press, thought leadership and industry events
- Play a visible role in winning UK-led new business and awards
Leadership style
- Act as a constructive challenger — improving work without slowing teams down
- Give clear, direct and high-quality feedback
- Focus on clarity, simplicity and fundamentals
- Be collaborative, generous and grounded in your approach
What we’re looking for
- A senior-level strategist (Strategy Partner / Head of Strategy / Senior Strategy Director)
- Background as a planner-turned-strategist, with hands-on media planning and buying experience
- Strong commercial acumen and confidence working with senior business stakeholders
- Deep understanding of media effectiveness, measurement and real-world planning constraints
- Proven track record of leading major pitches and high-profile strategic work
- Comfortable working across both brand and performance disciplines
Nice to have
- Experience across multiple categories (e.g. FMCG, retail, services)
- Background across both network and independent agencies
- Experience representing an agency externally (press, events, industry forums)
Why Starcom
Starcom is the flagship agency within Publicis Media, operating under the Power of One model — bringing together specialists across media, data, content, commerce and technology to deliver connected solutions for clients.
We’re known for our collaborative culture, clear thinking and ambition to grow — both for our clients and our people. Strategy plays a central role in how we work, not as an add-on but as a driver of better decisions, better work and better outcomes.
What we offer
- Hybrid working (office-based on Mondays and two other days per week)
- Strong focus on flexibility, wellbeing and sustainable performance
- Industry-recognised culture and career development opportunities
- A broad benefits package including reflection days, flexible working, enhanced family policies and global mobility options
Additional information
Starcom has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Planswe 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).
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