WPP CEO Office, Chief of Staff

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

Why we're hiring:

We are hiring for a Chief of Staff to support the CEO as an advisor, facilitator, office manager and project manager across a wide range of strategic initiatives.  As appropriate, you will act as a strategic sounding board offering insights and perspectives on business issues.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of WPP, the world's leading creative transformation company, and gain unparalleled insight into the operations of a global organisation. You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the CEO's office, enabling the CEO to focus on her most critical priorities. 

An important aspect of this role will involve a sophisticated understanding of AI, encompassing not just foundational knowledge but a keen awareness of its strategic implications and ethical considerations. This is paramount as you will actively contribute to and champion WPP's ongoing AI and cultural transformation, a core pillar of our future growth.

In addition to managing the CEO’s administrative team, you will also play a pivotal role in strategically coordinating and prioritising the CEO's engagements with advisors, partners, clients, and other external stakeholders, ensuring optimal allocation of time and resources to maximise impact and achieve strategic objectives.

 

What you'll be doing:

• Streamline Operations: Manage the CEO's complex schedule and prioritise meetings, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Prepare briefing materials and presentations and handle follow-up actions
• Manage Risk: Identify and mitigate potential risks to the CEO's agenda and the organisational objectives. Anticipate challenges and develop contingency plans
• Special Projects: Manage and execute special projects as directed by the CEO, often involving cross-functional teams and complex deliverables. Track progress, manage risks, and ensure successful outcomes
• Facilitate Communication: Act as a liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, including the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, clients, and partners. Ensure clear and timely communication flow
• Support Executive Committee: Define and agree an ideal cadence for ExCo meetings and support their efficient operation, including agenda development, meeting logistics, and follow-up
• Support Board of Directors: Prepare materials for the annual Board Strategy session, Regional Board meeting and, as needed, other Board meetings for the CEO
• Handle Confidential Information appropriately: Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Internal Communications: support key internal communications on behalf of the CEO, ensuring consistent messaging and transparency
• Monitor Performance: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the CEO's agenda and the organization's strategic goals, and providing regular updates to the CEO
• Budget Management: Overseeing the budget for the CEO's office and ensuring responsible resource allocation

 

Who you'll be working with:

You’ll work right across our business with leaders and teams from our agency networks, our country teams as well as our HQ teams including strategy, finance, technology, operations, communications and people.

 

What you'll need:

Ideally you’ll have a foundation of analytic / business training, either through strategy consulting or equivalent experience.  Additionally:

• Exceptional Judgment, Executive Maturity and be Level-headed and Discrete: Ability to make sound decisions and handle sensitive matters with diplomacy and confidentiality
• Strategic Thinking: Analyse complex situations, identify opportunities, and develop strategic recommendations
• Influence and Persuasion: Influence others, even without direct authority, to achieve desired outcomes with strong stakeholder management skills
• Resilience and Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Executive Presence: Project confidence, credibility, and composure in interactions across the business
• Organised, Structured and Proactive to support the CEO’s programme with limited oversight
• A Detailed mindset to drive quality coupled with a hands-on approach

 

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

 

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers.

#LI-Onsite

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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