Group Planning Director

Job Description

Howatson+Company is an advertising agency that’s committed to expressing creativity in all its forms to positively influence people and culture. It’s why we have been recognised with awards for both our work, and as agency of the year. Put simply, we care fiercely. For the people who work here. For the brands we work on. And for the community we live in. That’s why we overinvest in training, generosity and pausing to recognise excellence and effort in our people. It’s also why we’re 100% carbon neutral. What’s my job? Located in our Melbourne office, we are looking for a Group Planning Director or Head of Strategy/Planning. In this role, you will be the driving force behind the agency’s creative success. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Director you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping not just client campaigns, but also the agency’s overall strategic direction. Your mission is to elevate brand strategy, embed cultural relevance into every brief, and guide clients towards transformative solutions that make a tangible business impact and cultural impression. A Day in the Life: Act as a trusted advisor to clients, helping them solve complex business challenges through bold, forward-thinking strategies. Lead key pitches with clarity and conviction, inspiring both internal teams and prospective clients in trusting the agency's vision. Mentor and inspire the next generation of planners within the agency, creating a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and exceptional thinking. Stay ahead of, and set cultural and market trends, embedding these insights into brand-building and creativity. Push creative teams to adopt a higher standard of strategic and cultural relevance, delivering work that’s both impactful and award-winning. Provide thought leadership across the agency, setting the standard for strategic excellence across all accounts. How will we know that you are the one? You thrive when combining strategic brilliance with natural leadership ability. You instinctively know how to spot the cultural threads that others miss and weave them into strategies that lead to groundbreaking work. Your career is a testament to your ability to think big and execute even bigger. You’re not just someone who understands brands, you build them. You’ll balance ambition with pragmatism, crafting strategies that move clients forward while remaining tightly rooted in their business objectives. You'll have gravitas, not because you aim for it, but because you earn it. When you speak, clients listen. Creatives are energized and inspired by your briefs. Teams look up to you as both a mentor and teammate. You’re passionate about seeing those under your leadership thrive, and you cultivate curiosity and collaboration at every level. Ultimately, you're someone who is hungry to shape the future of brands, of our agency, and of the industry. Other things that will make you excel in this role Expertise in consumer insights, brand strategy, and cultural trends, combined with the ability to translate them into compelling creative solutions. 10+ years of experience in strategic roles within creative or advertising agencies. Proven track record of leading teams to deliver culturally impactful, award-winning campaigns. Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, or related fields. Mastery in presenting to stakeholders and handling high-pressure, high-stakes situations with confidence and clarity. Who are Howatson + Company? Howatson + Company are a fully integrated creative agency that believe in the power of influence. We believe that the magic comes from the ‘+’. The intersection of diverse people, culture and capabilities, that create solutions that drive business outcomes for our clients and leave the world a better place. We care fiercely about the people we work with, the brands we work on and the world we live in. We have several key values: We act without judgement or preconceptions. Diversity creates breakthrough We embrace challenges and different points of view. Collaboration is the only way The intersection of our specialisms creates our magic. Creativity is our weapon We believe creativity can solve problems, create things people love and change the world for good. We can only afford to be distinctive No ‘house style’, we express creativity in all its forms. Never walk alone We bring everyone on the journey and it’s everyone’s job to contribute. Values cost something Some of our most recent accolades Contagious Pioneers - Best and Bravest 2024 Cannes Global Independent Agency of the Year - Good 2023, #1 Independent Agency Australia 2024 Adnews Creative, Independent, Employer and Agency of the Year 2024 Mumbrella Creative, Independent and Emerging Agency of the Year 2023 B&T Independent Agency of the Year 2023 Andy’s Global Independent Agency of the Year 2023 Spikes Grand Prix, Independent Agency of the Year 2023 LBB APAC Creative Agency of the Year 2022 D&AD Global Independent Agency of the Year 2022 LIA Grand Prix 2022, Independent Agency of The Year AU/NZ 2022 Howatson+Company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We invite anyone to apply. Please send your details and CV to If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or the role, please let the recruitment consultant know. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Advertising, Strategy/Planning, and Marketing Industries Advertising Services #J-18808-Ljbffr