Senior Director - Planning

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.

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 and Impact

This role sits within the Client Leadership & Planning practice at WPP Media, where you will lead integrated media strategy and client partnerships for one of the organisation's key accounts. As Senior Director – Planning (Client Services), you will drive end-to-end strategic planning, business growth, and client success by delivering integrated marketing solutions across offline, digital, commerce, and emerging media channels.

You will act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, translating business objectives into insight-led media strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. Working closely with specialists across Planning, Investment, Commerce, Data, Analytics, Creative, and Technology, you will ensure seamless execution while fostering innovation and collaboration across teams.

This role also plays a critical leadership function by developing high-performing teams, strengthening client relationships, driving strategic excellence, and championing the adoption of WPP Open and AI-enabled planning capabilities to deliver future-ready marketing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Lead the development of integrated media and communication strategies aligned with client business objectives and long-term growth ambitions.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, acting as a strategic advisor across planning, investment, and business transformation initiatives.
• Translate business challenges into actionable, insight-led media strategies that deliver measurable commercial outcomes.
• Lead strategic planning across annual business plans, campaign roadmaps, product launches, and integrated marketing initiatives.

Integrated Media Planning & Campaign Excellence

• Develop end-to-end media strategies across traditional, digital, commerce, social, search, and emerging media platforms.
• Partner with specialist teams to deliver integrated planning solutions that maximise marketing effectiveness and business performance.
• Ensure media plans are supported by audience intelligence, market insights, data analytics, and robust measurement frameworks.
• Drive excellence in campaign execution by maintaining high standards of planning quality, governance, and operational efficiency.

Data, Insights & Innovation

• Leverage consumer insights, audience data, category intelligence, and market trends to identify growth opportunities for clients.
• Interpret complex data and research to develop compelling strategic recommendations and business narratives.
• Champion innovation by introducing new planning methodologies, AI-powered capabilities, and emerging media solutions.
• Encourage the adoption of WPP Open and advanced planning tools to improve strategic decision-making and campaign performance.

Client Growth & Business Development

• Identify opportunities to expand client partnerships through proactive strategic recommendations and innovative marketing solutions.
• Support new business pitches by developing integrated communication strategies and presenting compelling client solutions.
• Drive thought leadership by sharing industry trends, best practices, and award-winning work across internal and client teams.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by initiating cross-category learning, strategic case studies, and innovation programmes.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing planning team while promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Build a culture of strategic excellence by coaching team members on planning frameworks, storytelling, client management, and presentation skills.
• Collaborate across the wider WPP Media network to unlock specialist capabilities and integrated client solutions.
• Ensure effective resource planning, performance management, and talent development across the team.

Skills & Competencies

• Extensive experience in integrated media planning, client leadership, and strategic communications.
• Deep understanding of offline and digital media ecosystems, audience planning, marketing effectiveness, and business strategy.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate business objectives into integrated marketing solutions.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, client servicing, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong presentation, storytelling, and executive communication skills with experience engaging senior client stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Passion for innovation, continuous learning, and driving measurable business outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Advertising, or a related discipline. A postgraduate qualification or MBA is preferred.
• 14+ years of experience in Media Planning, Client Leadership, Integrated Communications, or Strategic Marketing, including experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large client portfolios and developing integrated media strategies across traditional and digital channels.
• Strong understanding of media planning, media buying, audience measurement, brand investment, and marketing analytics.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams, mentoring talent, and driving business growth.
• Experience working with leading brands across automotive, FMCG, technology, or similar sectors will be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of AI-enabled planning tools, audience intelligence platforms, and data-driven marketing methodologies is preferred.

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. Our benefits include 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 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. 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. 

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