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Head of Operations & Transformation, Global People Function

New York, NY

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. 

WPP is the world's largest advertising and marketing services company. We are a creative transformation company, built for a new era. Our purpose is to create positive impact for people, clients, and communities. We deliver transformative ideas and outcomes for our clients by bringing together the best talent and capabilities across our global network of agencies. As we navigate an accelerating landscape of technological innovation, particularly the rise of AI, we are committed to reimagining how we operate, deliver value, and foster an environment where our people can thrive and lead the industry into the future.

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

WPP is seeking a visionary and strategic global leader to serve as Head of Operations & Transformation for the People function. This critical role will be instrumental in shaping, aligning, and elevating the delivery of People services across the enterprise by integrating operational excellence with ambitious transformation outcomes. You will lead the charge in creating a unified, highly efficient, and future-ready People organisation, specifically by embedding cutting-edge AI and automation technologies.

The successful candidate will bring together People Operations, Analytics, Transformation, and Shared Services into a high-performing global function. This includes optimizing and leveraging the Talent Shared Service Center. You will instill the agility, robust governance, and advanced capabilities required to meet the evolving needs of a complex, creative, and fast-moving business in an AI-driven era. You will set the bar for service quality, efficiency, compliance, and innovation, ensuring that the People function operates seamlessly and consistently across regions, disciplines, and markets while delivering measurable strategic impact for colleagues, clients, and shareholders.

 

YOUR IMPACT:

  • Drive AI-Powered Organizational & People Function Transformation: Lead the comprehensive modernization and evolution of WPP's global People function by strategically leveraging AI, automation, and advanced analytics. Partner with IT and Enterprise Technology to ensure the talent function and broader WPP workforce are equipped and optimized for an AI-first future.
  • Strategic Workforce Design & Efficiency: Enable WPP to evolve its talent model for optimal agility and efficiency. Through operational excellence, data-driven insights, and strategic resource allocation, you will contribute directly to a high-performing, optimized workforce that serves client needs with unparalleled effectiveness.
  • Create a Unified Global People Function: Integrate Operations, Analytics, Transformation, and the Talent Shared Service Center into one coherent and effective global structure, fostering cross-functional collaboration and global consistency.
  • Raise Performance Standards: Elevate service delivery, governance, compliance, and efficiency across all People operations, demonstrating measurable improvements in quality, speed, and strategic impact.
  • Embed Enduring Transformation: Ensure transformation initiatives, especially those driven by AI and new operating models, are fully integrated and sustained within the operating model, delivering long-term value beyond initial programme delivery.
  • Build Operational Resilience & Future-Readiness: Architect and implement resilient operational frameworks that support WPP’s global ambitions at scale, proactively adapting to technological shifts and evolving business demands.
  • Partner with Global CPO & People Leadership: Operate as a key strategic partner to the Global CPO and the broader People leadership team, shaping and executing a proactive agenda for operational and transformational excellence.

 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Strategic Integration and Leadership
  • Lead the strategic alignment and seamless integration of People Operations, Analytics, Transformation, and the Talent Shared Service Center (SSC), operating as one high-performing global function.
  • Champion the embedding of transformation programme outcomes—including AI-driven solutions and new operating models—into day-to-day operations, eliminating silos and enabling sustained adoption enterprise-wide.
  • Set and monitor enterprise-level KPIs for operational and transformation success, ensuring clear visibility and accountability at the highest leadership level.
  1. Operational Excellence and Governance
  • Establish best-in-class governance frameworks, service delivery standards, and performance review cycles across all operational areas of the People function.
  • Ensure global compliance and ethical standards are met consistently across regions, disciplines, and service lines.
  • Drive a culture of operational discipline, continuous improvement, and innovation in service delivery, constantly seeking new ways to optimize processes and outcomes.
  1. Budget and Resource Oversight
  • Oversee the management of the global People operations and transformation budget, ensuring investment delivers maximum strategic impact and value.
  • Optimise resource allocation across multiple strategic and operational priorities, aligning with WPP's strategic workforce goals.
  • Achieve demonstrable cost-to-serve efficiencies without diminishing service quality, employee experience, or the ability to deliver on strategic talent objectives.
  1. Technology and Analytics Enablement
  • Partner extensively with the Enterprise Technology team to maximise the value of Workday, other core HR platforms, and emerging technologies (including AI tools).
  • Leverage advanced data analytics and insights to drive operational decision-making, enhance performance management, and inform transformation outcomes.
  • Ensure analytics inform governance, strategically align resources, and proactively respond to evolving business needs.
  1. Agentic / AI and Automation Leadership
  • Define and champion the strategic roadmap for the adoption, development, and scaling of AI and automation across the entire People function, in partnership with IT.
  • Identify, evaluate, and advance high-ROI automation and "agentic" (AI-driven autonomous operations) use cases to significantly enhance efficiency, data quality, and user experience for all WPP stakeholders.
  • Embed and drive the adoption of AI-enabled analytics and decision support tools into operational processes, ensuring widespread understanding and utilization across all functions within People.
  • Scale and institutionalize proven automation solutions enterprise-wide, establishing clear governance, ownership, and measurable impact.
  1. Stakeholder Engagement and Influence
  • Operate as a trusted, influential, and commercially astute member of the People leadership team, shaping the operational and transformation agenda at a global level.
  • Forge alignment and collaboration across Centres of Excellence (CoEs), regional People Leaders, and wider enterprise functions to deliver a unified and impactful People agenda.
  • Model inclusive and strategic leadership that empowers high-performing, geographically dispersed teams, fostering collaboration and innovation across diverse cultures and disciplines.

 

ABOUT YOU:

  • 15+ years of progressive operations and transformation leadership experience within complex, global, matrixed organisations, preferably in professional services, technology, or creative industries.
  • Proven track record in leading large-scale People/HR operational transformations, with a strong focus on embedding AI, automation, and advanced analytics to drive efficiency and strategic outcomes.
  • Deep expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing global operating models that deliver measurable improvements in performance, efficiency, service quality, and compliance.
  • Demonstrated experience in integrating and optimizing Shared Service Centers (SSCs) within a broader operational framework to achieve global consistency and efficiency.
  • Exceptional transformation expertise, with the ability to not only initiate but also deeply embed change and realise sustainable benefits beyond initial programme delivery.
  • Strong financial acumen, with extensive experience managing large global budgets, optimizing cost-to-serve models, and demonstrating ROI on operational investments.
  • Deep knowledge of governance, compliance, and risk management at scale, particularly within a global HR context.
  • Highly skilled in leveraging HR technology (e.g., Workday, service delivery platforms, AI tools) to enable operational excellence, innovation, and enhanced user experience.
  • Operates credibly and influentially at the highest leadership levels, capable of shaping enterprise-wide decisions and securing alignment across diverse and senior stakeholders.
  • An inclusive, strategic leader who excels at building and inspiring high-performing global teams, fostering collaboration, and driving sustained impact in a fast-paced environment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required; a Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, HR Management, Organizational Leadership) is highly preferred.

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. Are you up for the challenge?

#LI-Hybrid

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details. 

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$275,000 - $350,000 USD

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.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

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