- Location
- Greater London-London, UK
- Type
- Full-time
- Seniority
- Director
- Closing date
- Today
- Source
- iCIMS
Description
What you'll bring to the team
Global Planning Director
Global Insights & Strategy | London | B2| 8 Month FTC
Our purpose
Bring joy, create connections, and make memories.
Our vision
To be the global leader in branded entertainment destinations and the greatest place to work and play.
The opportunity
We’re looking for a Global Planning Director to lead strategic planning and alignment across Merlin’s diverse portfolio of world-class attractions and brands. Sitting within our Global Insights & Strategy team, this role plays a critical part in shaping how our Growth function plans, prioritises and delivers impact across regions, brands and channels.
You’ll act as the central connector between global Centres of Excellence (Brand, Marketing, Indirect Sales, Customer Proposition) and our regional and cluster go-to-market teams – with a particular focus on International markets. Your work will ensure our planning cadence is joined up, insight-led and aligned to key governance forums including CPC, CIC, Executive Team and Main Board agendas.
This is a highly visible role for a strategic, data-driven leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and knows how to turn long-term vision into executable plans that drive growth.
What you’ll be doing
Strategic planning & alignment
Lead the global go-to-market calendar, ensuring synergy across brands, regions and specialisms
Own the annual and multi-year go-to-market planning process, integrating global trends, insights and customer feedback
Align go-to-market strategies with Merlin’s wider business objectives and growth ambitions
Collaboration & leadership
Act as the central hub for regional and local go-to-market teams, driving alignment and sharing best practice
Partner closely with commercial, operations, digital and insights teams to optimise go-to-market motion and delivery
Governance, rhythm & performance
Coordinate global activity across key seasons, campaigns and product launches, ensuring timely, high-quality execution
Own the planning and trading rhythm, leading weekly, monthly and quarterly reviews
Track changes to plans and actions, ensuring visibility through digital tools and clarity for senior stakeholders
Monitor KPIs, challenge assumptions and recommend strategic course-corrections where needed
Who you’ll work with
You’ll collaborate extensively across Merlin, including:
Global, regional and local go-to-market leaders
Global Brand teams
E-commerce and Digital Marketing
Communications, Partnerships and Sponsorship
External media agencies
Insights, Strategy, Commercial and Finance teams
Qualifications & Experience
What we’re looking for
Experience & background
Proven experience in a senior marketing or planning leadership role within a global or multi-regional organisation
Strong strategic planning and programme management capability
Deep understanding of brand, digital marketing and campaign analytics
Experience leading complex stakeholder groups across cultures and geographies
A data-driven mindset with the ability to translate insight into action
Background in entertainment, tourism, hospitality or adjacent sectors
Degree-level education (or equivalent) in business, analytics or a related field preferred
Skills & capabilities
Ability to lead global planning cycles, from annual calendars to multi-year roadmaps
Strong influencing skills at executive and senior stakeholder level
Collaborative leadership style that brings global and regional teams together
Commercial acumen, connecting plans to revenue growth and ROI
Curious, innovative thinker who keeps pace with evolving planning tools and methodologies
Proven people leader who develops capability and builds high-performing teams
How we lead at Merlin
At Merlin, our leaders are:
Soulfully Curious – always learning, exploring new perspectives and asking great questions
Results Focused – clear on goals, accountable for outcomes and unafraid to course-correct
Extraordinary Teammates – collaborative, generous with knowledge and contributors to enterprise-wide success
Developers of People – coaches, mentors and champions of growth in others
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to shape how a global entertainment business plans for growth, connects teams across continents and brings bold strategies to life. You’ll have real influence, global exposure and the chance to help millions of guests create unforgettable memories.
Benefits
We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 33 days’ holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO, plus lots more!