Senior Director - Learning and Development

About WPP Media

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

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

Role Summary

Title:                                                   Senior Director, Learning & Development GroupM India.

Reporting into:                                  Head of Talent Management GroupM India.

Minimum work experience:             At least 12 years in Talent Management or the Learning &

                                                            Development function.

Key Working Stakeholder Group: Talent Partners and Business Leaders in Agencies and

Units, GroupM India Training Community, Regional Learning & Development team, WPP India Talent team.

 Work with ‘Purposeful People’ and realize your own passion along the way. Enlisting into and supporting our Communities and Employee Resource Groups will allow you to contribute to a larger cause, creating an environment where people bring their best self and do their best work.

• Enjoy freedom of thought and autonomy of action. Create mastery of your own craft, power skills and digital transformation. Drive constant learning and development opportunities for our people in varied and extensive disciplines.
• As a senior Learning & Development leader, you get to influence the C-suite, the trainer’s community and high-performance business teams. You will be challenged, inspired and supported in equal measure by the leadership.

Role Impact

1. Designing, structuring Learning & Development programs and initiatives:

• Conduct thorough needs analysis and consult the business on challenges, priorities, development opportunities.
• Design a high-level learning strategy in line with business priorities.
• Align the strategy with external partners/faculty, the Regional Learning & Development team and GroupM’s Trained Trainers.
• Customize programs for business groups in line with instructional design principles.
• Design an evaluation model to measure impact of learning on teams, clients and the overall business.
• Structure end-to-end long term learning programs for entry level talent.

1. Execution of learning strategy:

• Lead the preparation and marketing of the learning calendar to ensure a steady stream of program delivery.
• Refresh systems and processes to run mass trainings on scale, including budgeting, scoping, scheduling and delivery.
• Spearhead the engagement with Learning Champions – upskilling, feedback, recognition.
• Facilitate mid/senior level sessions – both virtually and in-person.
• Execute learning audit and talent management surveys, prepare debrief reports and comms to the leadership and all-staff.
• Leverage the LMS support the delivery, reporting and overall management of learning to all employees.

1. Driving a culture of high performance:

• Manage the entire performance management cycle – from goal-setting to check-ins, appraisals and reviews.
• Hold teams accountable on timelines and ensure completion in time for increment cycles.
• Suggest Learning & Development solutions based on performance appraisals of identified high potential cohorts.
• Work with the GroupM Youth Executive Committee (YCO) on their development goals – projects, reverse mentoring, individual growth plans. Collaborate with Agency Talent teams to proactively retain the YCO.

1. Supporting GroupM Communities and Employee Resource Groups:

• Formulate a hybrid working strategy that ensures productivity, performance, empathy, welfare and well-being.
• Enlist into employee communities, support initiatives and programs that shape our culture. Author specific wellness solutions for cohorts such as returning moms, first time managers, parents juggling work and children,
• Partner with experts in the field of physical fitness, mental health and mindfulness at the GroupM level and customize efforts for Agencies.
• Maintain a microsite that serves as a repository for all resources for welfare and wellbeing.
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition team on the internship program for the LGBTQIA+ group and women returning to work. Curate content for sensitivity trainings for interviewer panel and teams where interns are hired.

Skills and Experience 

1. Proficiency and expertise:

• Certified in instructional design, Train-the-trainer, 360 feedback tool and a recognized behavioural assessment.
• Expert facilitator for mid-senior level cohorts.
• Confident in engaging and communicating (with proven excellence & empathy) with business teams and employee cohorts.
• Comfortable with technology, data and has a digital-first mindset. Knowledge of the digital world (E-commerce, performance, programmatic, mobile, social media).

1. Business understanding:

• Gradual and steady grasp on the business to be able to not only understand business needs and priorities but translate them into Learning & Development opportunities.
• Understand roles, structures, cohorts and talent culture.
• Understand GroupM’s business goals and talent objectives.
• Able to question a brief, arrive at the problem statement, craft appropriate solutions.

1. Autonomy and self-leadership:

• Able to lead agendas independently once the direction is aligned.
• Knows when to ask for timely help.
• Able to mobilize resources to get the job done.
• Invested in self-growth and has a keen learner’s mindset.

1. Influence without Authority:

• Ability to influence and impact business teams and talent leadership
• Collaborator with external experts/faculty/partners, internal talent teams, WPP teams and cultural communities.
• Ability to navigate a complex organization structure.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and is able to take risks. 

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events.

WPP Media 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.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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