The Role

Overview

The Programmatic Planning Manager is responsible for leading the strategic planning and optimisation of programmatic activity across a portfolio of clients, with a focus on Tier 1 and audited accounts. This role acts as the key liaison between Channel Planning, Media Teams, and Programmatic specialists to ensure best-in-class planning output, innovation, and performance delivery.

The role requires strong strategic thinking, deep knowledge of digital media and programmatic channels, and the ability to translate data and insights into actionable media plans. In addition to driving planning excellence, the Programmatic Planning Manager plays a key role in mentoring team members, improving processes, and embedding a culture of accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Agency Performance
• Own programmatic planning output across accounts, working with Media Teams and Programmatic specialists to deliver best-in-class strategies.
• Lead development of full-funnel, audience-led programmatic plans aligned to client objectives.
• Act as key point of contact for Channel Planning on all programmatic planning activity.
• Ensure all plans meet brief requirements, audit standards, and planning best practice.
• Use data, insights, and past performance to inform planning and optimization frameworks.
• Contribute to QBRs, H1/H2 reviews, and client presentations with actionable insights.
• Champion innovation, testing, and new channel adoption (CTV, DOOH, emerging formats).
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality control across all planning outputs.

Commercial Performance
• Support effective budget allocation strategies within programmatic plans to maximize ROI.
• Identify opportunities for investment efficiency and incremental value.
• Ensure planning aligns with commercial priorities and client goals.
• Contribute to successful pitch responses and new business opportunities.
• Drive innovation that supports long-term client growth and value delivery.


Talent Management

• Commit to personal development through Core's internal training programmes and actively participate in learning opportunities.
• Develop a deep understanding of client business objectives and contribute to the creation of strategies to deliver against these priorities.
• Collaborate closely with the Programmatic Client Director to ensure consistent high standards in team output and personal development.
• Embrace Core’s values of collaboration and teamwork by building strong relationships across the organisation and with partners.
• Contribute to a supportive, hardworking, and enjoyable team environment.

Your profile

Experience

• 3+ years experience in digital media buying with a proven track record of managing programmatic Display and VOD campaigns.
• Strong working knowledge of programmatic platforms (DV360, Amobee, Google Ads, DCM) and budget management for paid media campaigns.
• Hands-on experience with 3rd-party tracking tools (e.g., DoubleClick) is preferred.
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Passionate about digital marketing, with a focus on staying ahead of industry trends.
• Skilled in delivering quality assurance and ensuring campaign accuracy.
• Highly organised, capable of managing multiple projects and ensuring timely delivery.
• Creative thinker with the ability to provide innovative solutions.
• A strong listener, able to understand and deliver on team and client objectives.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining and improving processes.

• Proactive and responsive to requests, with the ability to escalate issues appropriately

Why us?

What’s in it for you?

• Work your way – enjoy flexible, hybrid working that fits around your life
• Never stop growing – 24/7 access to LinkedIn Learning, plus clear career progression and mentoring support
• Variety that excites – collaborate with an incredible mix of clients across sport, retail, food & drink, alcohol, insurance, banking and more
• Grow with us – real opportunities to develop and progress within the business
• Time to recharge – 21 days annual leave, your birthday off, Christmas closure days, and early finishes on bank holiday Fridays
• Balance matters – a culture that genuinely supports work–life balance
• People-first perks – employee referral programme and family-focused benefits, including paid maternity & paternity leave, fertility support, pregnancy loss leave, and a maternity phase-back programme
• Your wellbeing, covered – access to mental health and wellbeing programmes, plus paid health insurance for you and your dependents under 18
• Plan for the future – professional financial advice, contributory pension, and life assurance
• Be part of something bigger – join our D&I, CSR, Green, Social or Great Place to Work committees and even earn an extra day’s leave for making an impact
• And plenty more along the way…

Salary Range

33,000 - 44,000 DOE