ROLE OVERVIEW

Croud is a global, full service digital marketing agency with a unique business model that helps businesses drive sustainable growth in the new world of marketing. Croud was recently named a Sunday Times Best Place to Work for the second year in a row, and was named Performance Marketing Employer of the Year by PMW.

At Croud, we unlock potential by elevating our people, clients, and communities within a rapidly advancing and complex economy. We operate as a unique scaled network of Intelligent, Creative Specialists, enabling us to deliver superior brand outcomes and unlock potential for our people, our clients and our communities.

Our culture is strategically driven and inspired by a shared long-term vision. It is collaborative and connected, with a focus on continuous learning and mutual support.

We are energised by future thinking, driving innovation to achieve better outcomes. We are instinctively generous, actively including and empowering our people. Above all, we are purpose-driven, committed to positively impacting our people, the planet, and our global communities.

We’re looking for a Comms Planning Director to establish and lead a new strategic discipline within Croud – one that connects media, data, and creative, with a strong emphasis on social. Your mission will be to shape how and where brands show up, prove the value of this approach to clients, and build the bridge between Croud (media) and Born Social (creative).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• 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.

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.  

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