WPP Media | Strategy Planning Manager (MS/WM), Japan

Description 

WPP Media | Local Planning Manager 

You will lead local media planning for a well-known global brand, working closely with the client planning lead and cross-functional teams to develop and deliver integrated media strategies for the local market. 

You will be a strategic thinker with strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. As a Local Planning Manager, you will own the local planning process end-to-end, ensuring media strategies are aligned with business objectives, market realities, and campaign performance goals. 

3 best things about the job: 

1. You will have the opportunity to shape local media strategy for a renowned global luxury client and directly contribute to the achievement of business and media KPIs. 
2. You will work with a collaborative, diverse, and highly dedicated team of colleagues and clients who are passionate about integrated media communications. 
3. The environment is innovative and dynamic, with constant opportunities to test, learn, and evolve media approaches that improve how businesses and consumers connect. 

Responsibilities of the role: 

• Lead the development of local media plans and recommendations aligned with client business objectives, brand priorities, and market needs. 
• Understand the client’s products, marketing goals, target audiences, and competitive landscape to translate them into actionable media strategies. 
• Develop accurate forecasts, media plans, budget allocations, and scenario simulations with minimal supervision. 
• Drive local planning discussions and provide strategic input into campaign architecture, channel mix, audience strategy, and timing. 
• Manage client communications related to planning, campaign performance, and strategic recommendations in a timely and professional manner. 
• Partner closely with Client Services, regional/global teams, and operations teams to ensure campaign setup, execution, and optimization are aligned and timely. 
• Oversee campaign setup and trafficking requirements to ensure accuracy, consistency, and readiness for launch. 
• Proactively identify issues, risks, and optimization opportunities across campaigns, creatives, and platform performance. 
• Build, review, and present performance reports using various tools, reconciling data from third-party reports and internal system reports. 
• Create clear, insightful, and visually compelling reporting outputs, including charts, dashboards, and presentations. 
• Provide recommendations based on campaign data, trends, and learnings to improve performance and inform future planning. 
• Support billing, reporting, governance, and operational processes as part of end-to-end campaign execution. 
• Mentor and guide junior team members, supporting capability development and knowledge sharing within the team. 
• Contribute to quarterly planning reviews, business updates, and strategic proposals. 
• Test, learn, and share media innovations, new advertising tactics, and best practices with local, regional, and global teams. 

Measures of success: 

In three months: 

• Gain a strong understanding of the client’s business, media landscape, internal processes, and team structure. 
• Become fully operational on the required platforms, tools, and planning workflows. 
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and begin contributing to local planning and campaign management. 
• Demonstrate ownership of day-to-day planning activities and campaign coordination. 

In six months: 

• Independently manage local campaign planning and execution across assigned markets or business areas. 
• Deliver strategic recommendations and performance insights that positively impact campaign outcomes. 
• Confidently lead client discussions on planning, reporting, and optimization. 
• Demonstrate ownership of billing, reporting, and operational processes related to campaign execution. 

In twelve months: 

• Lead strategic input into quarterly and annual planning proposals. 
• Take a stronger leadership role in local planning, driving best practices and consistency across campaigns. 
• Identify, test, and recommend new media tactics and optimization approaches. 
• Actively share learnings and insights with regional and global teams, contributing to broader business growth. 
• Mentor junior team members and help raise the overall capability of the local planning function. 

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Business-level English and native-level Japanese. 
• 5+ years of experience in digital media planning, integrated media, and/or ad operations. 
• Strong understanding of media strategy, campaign planning, trafficking processes, and performance reporting. 
• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint; comfortable working with pivot tables and large data sets. 
• Experience with data visualization and reporting tools such as Data Studio, Supermetrics, or similar platforms is a plus. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and communicate effectively across functions and seniority levels. 
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage time and priorities effectively. 
• Quick learner with a proactive mindset and willingness to adopt new tools and technologies. 
• Passionate about digital media communications, technology, and industry trends. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent listening skills and the ability to adapt to different partner styles. 
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members is a plus. 

Benefits and Perks 

We blur work and play, and you get all the perks of a global company. You will get to work with a dynamic group of entrepreneurs, collaborating across time zones to make a difference in the way the world experiences media. We love what we do, and we think you will too.