Planning Manager (Studio 59 - In-house Agency)

About this role

At the heart of everything we do is our vision to change lives every day, and our mission to grow The National Lottery responsibly and champion its impact.

We are Allwyn UK, part of the Allwyn Entertainment Group – a multi-national lottery operator with a market-leading presence across the USA (Michigan and Illinois) and Europe, including Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.

While the main contribution of The National Lottery to society is through the funds to good causes, at Allwyn we put our purpose and values at the heart of everything we do.  Join us as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, largescale transformation journey by creating a National Lottery that delivers more money to good causes.

We’ll talk a bit more about us further down the page, but for now – let’s talk about the role and who we’re looking for…

Allwyn’s inhouse agency: Studio 59

Studio 59 is Allwyn’s new in‑house agency. A fast, integrated hub built to elevate how we tell The National Lottery’s story. Bringing creative, production, planning and media together across a single, integrated team, we’re engineered for pace, efficiency and standout quality.

Our mission is simple: create bold, social‑first, audience‑led work that strengthens player engagement and gives The National Lottery a single, authentic brand voice. With a best‑of‑both model that blends strengthened internal talent with top‑tier external partners, we deliver dynamic, personalised content at scale.

A bit about the role
The Planning Manager is responsible for the operational management and coordination required to deliver a clear, governed and actionable quarterly consumer plan that ensures individual propositions campaigns don't compete for the same "airtime" or audience attention, maintaining a balanced and coherent brand presence.
Reporting into the Marketing Strategy Manager, this role ensures that planning decisions are translated into structured meetings, documentation, communications and governance processes. The Planning Manager works closely with retail and digital channel teams, product team and PR & comms teams, external agency partners, and assurance functions to ensure clarity, compliance and alignment across all elements of the consumer plan.
The role is supported by VCCP and H&S planning teams, ensuring access to best-in-class planning expertise while embedding strong in-house capability.
The Planning Team plays a central role in coordinating priorities, governance and delivery across Studio 59. The Planning Manager supports the effective operationalisation of the consumer plan, ensuring planning processes, forums and communications run smoothly and consistently.

What you’ll be doing
Planning Operations & Coordination
Supports all internal meetings required to reach an agreed quarterly consumer plan, including clear terms of reference, attendees, meeting roles, diary planning, minutes, actions and follow-up
Ensure clear and consistent communication of planning decisions to all required internal colleagues and agency partners (Studio 59 and external)
Own diary planning, agendas, minutes, actions and follow-up to ensure momentum and clarity

Governance, Assurance & Compliance
Ensure the consumer plan is aligned to all assurance processes, bid requirements and relevant documentation required to support approval and delivery
Manage required planning documentation, approvals and records associated with the consumer plan
Support quarterly PO sign-off processes and associated governance forums

Communication & Alignment
Ensure clear, consistent communication of planning decisions to internal colleagues and agency partners
Coordinate regular updates with internal agency teams and external agencies
Ensure all stakeholders are aware of key milestones, dependencies and delivery expectations

Agency & Partner Coordination
Work closely with VCCP and H&S planning teams to support planning development
Ensure external planning inputs are integrated effectively into internal planning processes
Act as a coordination point between internal teams and external agency partners

Support to Planning Leadership
Support the Head of Planning in managing the quarterly planning cycle and rolling consumer plan
Provide operational support to enable smooth planning forums and decision-making
Contribute to continuous improvement of planning ways of working and governance

What experience we’re looking for
Experience in a planning, operations, project management or coordination role within a marketing or agency environment
Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail
Experience managing meetings, governance processes and documentation
Ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders and agency partners
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Comfortable managing multiple workstreams and deadlines
Experience working within governed or regulated environments is desirable

Key Measures of Success:
To be successful in this role, you will:
Enable smooth, well-governed delivery of the quarterly consumer plan
Ensure planning forums are well-run, effective and decision-focused
Maintain clear documentation, communication and follow-through across planning activity
Support strong alignment between internal teams and agency partners
Build confidence in planning governance and operational discipline

About us
At Allwyn, we are dedicated to changing lives and growing the National Lottery responsibly, championing its positive impact on people, places, and the planet.

Innovation - We pride ourselves on it! We’re constantly looking for new ways to excite our customers, bringing new products to market to enjoy which is all supported by our responsible play values and making them accessible to all.
Giving back – Did you know that playing the lottery generates around £30m a week for charities and good causes in the UK? Our aim is to have doubled this number by the end of the first 10-year license.
Sustainability –…