Group Planning Director

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Summary and Impact

EssenceMediacom, part of WPP, is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

The Group Planning Director is a critical leadership role for EssenceMediacom in Sydney and across the broader national agency. Data is the fundamental driver for this role, with a core focus on evidence-based planning that translates directly into tangible business outcomes for clients. You possess a sound theoretical understanding of established marketing principles, including EBI’s Laws of Growth, sufficiency, portfolio and media allocation, optimization, ROIs, response curves, and hero-halo effects. Beyond theory, you are a strategic and innovative thinker, balancing analytical rigor with a creative approach to push the boundaries of planning and contribute to EssenceMediacom’s award-winning reputation.

You will hold direct planning relationship ownership with key accounts, acting as a trusted advisor to senior client marketing teams and delivering impactful thought leadership. You are responsible for elevating planning output, contributing to the development and rollout of EssenceMediacom’s new planning product, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within your team.

 

Core Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of direct reports, including workload management, training, skillset enhancement, and career growth plan development.
  • Provide ongoing guidance and quality control for all client deliverables.
  • Contribute to national resource planning.
• Planning Excellence & Innovation:
  • Elevate planning output across your client base, incorporating leading-edge approaches such as Video Neutral Planning and Attention Planning.
  • Support the development and national rollout of EssenceMediacom’s new planning products and initiatives.
  • Drive thought leadership, seamlessly combining theoretical knowledge with a hard practitioner’s perspective.
• Client Relationship & Strategic Advisory:
  • Manage direct planning relationships with senior client marketing teams on key accounts.
  • Deliver engaging leadership seminars and presentations to senior client stakeholders, translating complex insights into clear, actionable strategies.
  • Act as a trusted advisor, quickly understanding client business needs and developing effective solutions.
  • Actively share Points of View (POVs) on market and industry trends, educating clients and building trust.
• Commercial Acumen & Agency Growth:
  • Collaborate with Client Partners to track and deliver financial targets (QRF).
  • Support the National Head of Planning on selective new business pitches, contributing strategic planning expertise.
  • Identify opportunities to elevate all planning products in collaboration with the global WPP Media network.

 

Skills and Experience

What Makes You Great

• Extensive Experience: 8+ years of relevant industry or professional services experience in media planning, strategy, and/or client leadership.
• Data-Driven Expertise: Deep, hands-on knowledge of data-driven planning concepts (e.g., sufficiency, portfolio allocation, media allocation, optimization, ROIs, response curves, hero-halo effect).
• Strategic & Analytical Acumen: Ability to develop insights and recommendations from data, demonstrating broad, deep, and current knowledge of marketing, business strategy, and digital technology.
• Exceptional Communication: Highly skilled communicator who can simplify complex media concepts, translate between numbers and narrative quickly and accurately, and effectively present to senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative Leader: Strong collaborator and people leader, adept at organizing self and others, inspiring teams, and fostering a positive working environment.
• Client & Industry Savvy: Capable of building strong client relationships, understanding their business needs, and staying ahead of industry news, trends, tools, and technology.
• Results-Oriented: Knows how to get things done and deliver impactful outcomes.

 

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and 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 characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

 

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