Client Development Lead

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.

Client Development Lead

Role Summary and Impact

Global Growth & Operations brings together growth, transformation, and operational excellence to shape the future of how WPP Media partners with its most important clients. The team works across global accounts and markets to define best practice, embed new ways of working, and activate the full strength of the WPP network to drive sustainable growth, stronger relationships, and long-term client value.

The Client Development Lead is a senior growth role focused on helping WPP Media deepen, retain and grow its most important global client relationships. The role brings together strategic growth planning, client development, retention and portfolio-level orchestration across a priority group of global clients. This role would suit someone who has worked in agency new business, business development, client growth or large-scale pitch environments - someone who knows how to mobilise teams, shape compelling growth narratives, bring the right capabilities together and create momentum around complex client opportunities.

Rather than focusing only on new client acquisition, this role applies that same energy and discipline to our existing global client portfolio: helping Global Client Leaders identify opportunities, respond to moments of risk or change, and activate the full strength of WPP Media and the wider WPP network.

The role also plays an important portfolio role - identifying patterns across clients, codifying best practice, supporting growth rhythms and helping turn individual client opportunities into scalable models for the business. It offers broad exposure across our biggest global clients, senior client leaders, markets, capabilities and specialist teams — with the opportunity to influence how WPP Media creates a more connected, consistent and valuable client experience at portfolio level.

 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a strategic growth partner to Global Client Leaders across priority global accounts.
• Support proactive client development, retention and growth planning across the global client portfolio.
• Bring a new business / pitch-style approach to major client opportunities — helping shape the story, mobilise the right capabilities and create clear action plans.
• Lead strategic client programmes including retention initiatives, operating model redesigns, transformation projects and growth interventions.
• Identify cross-client patterns, opportunities and risks, turning portfolio insight into practical recommendations and scalable growth models.

 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

YOU ARE LIKELY TO BRING

• Experience in agency new business, business development, growth, client leadership, strategy or transformation roles.
• Strong understanding of how agencies bring together strategy, media, data, technology, commerce, production, creative and specialist capabilities around client needs.
• Ability to create structure, momentum and clarity across complex, senior stakeholder environments.
• A commercial and growth-oriented mindset, with strong storytelling, prioritisation and delivery skills.
• Collaborative, pragmatic and comfortable working across both individual clients opportunities and broader portfolio priorities.

WHY THIS ROLE

• This is an opportunity to work across some of WPP Media’s most important global client
• relationships, helping shape how we retain, grow and transform them.
• You will gain exposure to senior client leaders, global markets and specialist capabilities
• across the business, with a portfolio-level view of how WPP Media creates value for its clients.

 

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. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. 

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. 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. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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

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Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.