Rickmansworth
About Us Hunterlodge is a UK-based full-service agency with an exciting and fast-growing portfolio of clients across higher education, public sector and commercial brands. We specialise in delivering integrated, insight-driven campaigns that connect audiences with organisations in meaningful ways. As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a Media Planner to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in media planning, buying, or digital paid media who is looking to develop their expertise across integrated campaigns spanning digital and offline channels. At Hunterlodge, we promote a culture of continuous learning, innovation and professional development. Our commitment to excellence ensures we remain at the forefront of the evolving media landscape, delivering outstanding results for our clients. Role Overview As a Media Planner, you will play a key role in developing strategic, integrated media plans across paid social, paid search, digital display, video, audio, out-of-home and broadcast channels. You will work closely with internal teams, media owners, platforms and clients to deliver effective, insight-led campaigns that balance brand awareness, engagement and performance objectives. We are particularly interested in candidates with hands-on experience in digital paid media, including paid social and paid search, who are looking to broaden their expertise into full-channel media planning and strategy. This role requires a commercially minded and analytical individual who is confident interpreting campaign data, identifying media opportunities and presenting strategic recommendations to clients. Experience working with universities, student recruitment campaigns or higher education audiences would be highly advantageous, as many of our clients operate within the education sector. Key Responsibilities Media Planning & Strategy • Develop integrated media plans across digital and offline channels, ensuring alignment with client objectives, target audiences and campaign KPIs., • Use campaign reporting, audience insight, competitor analysis and market trends to shape strategic recommendations., • Build audience-led media strategies targeting prospective students, parents and education-focused audiences where relevant., • Balance brand awareness and performance marketing objectives across different campaign phases., • Support testing strategies across platforms, formats, audience segments and creative approaches. Digital Campaign Performance & Optimisation • Monitor campaign performance across digital channels and identify opportunities for optimisation and improved efficiency., • Translate campaign data into actionable recommendations and future planning insights., • Work alongside internal teams and platform partners to ensure campaigns are effectively executed and continuously improved., • Maintain awareness of evolving digital platform capabilities, trends and best practices. Media Buying & Negotiation • Negotiate and secure cost-effective media placements while maximising added value for clients., • Build strong relationships with media owners, publishers, platforms and agency partners., • Identify innovative opportunities, emerging channels and first-to-market media solutions., • Ensure all media activity aligns with agreed budgets, timelines and campaign KPIs. Stakeholder & Client Engagement • Present media strategies, rationales and campaign performance updates in a confident and articulate manner., • Act as a trusted advisor by sharing industry trends, audience insight and emerging media opportunities., • Collaborate closely with creative, content and data teams to ensure campaigns are aligned and integrated effectively. Skills & Experience Essential • 2+ years’ experience in media planning, media buying or digital paid media within an agency or in-house marketing environment., • Strong understanding of digital media channels, including paid social and paid search., • Experience working with platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager and LinkedIn Campaign Manager., • Strong knowledge of audience insight, campaign performance metrics and media planning principles., • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret performance data and identify optimisation opportunities., • Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain strategic recommendations clearly., • Commercial awareness and understanding of media pricing and buying models., • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Desirable • Experience planning campaigns across offline channels including out-of-home, audio and broadcast media., • Experience working with universities or within higher education marketing., • Knowledge of measurement and reporting tools such as Google Analytics 4 and Looker Studio. What Success Looks Like • Delivering effective multi-channel media plans aligned to client objectives and audience insight., • Building strong working relationships with clients, media owners and platform partners., • Using performance insight and campaign analysis to improve outcomes and inform future strategy., • Contributing strategic thinking across integrated campaigns and wider agency planning., • Continuously developing knowledge across media channels, platforms and industry trends. Benefits • Inclusion in Hunterlodge’s profit-share bonus scheme., • Comprehensive Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme to support career progression and skill development., • Ongoing training across media platforms, strategy and industry certifications., • Exposure to integrated campaigns across digital and traditional media channels., • A supportive, collaborative and ambitious team environment that values innovation and professional growth.