Business Director Planning & Strategy

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the worlds leading brands. With exceptional talent trusted data and intelligence and world-class partnerships all united by ourpioneeringagentic marketing platform WPP Open we help clients navigate change capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPPs 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.

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2076 - Business Director - Planning & Strategy

About the role:

The planning teamarethe guardians of creating industry leading unrivalled work at WPP. We are central conduits to all specialists striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers andbrand.

We are looking for a Business Directorto spearhead the development of innovative and impactful media planning for our prestigious automotive client account for the UK.This role is central to translating our clients modern luxury vision into actionable media plans that drive desire and deliver exceptional results. The Planning Lead willbe responsible fortransforming the strategic frameworks uncovering deep consumerinsightsandleveragingthe full capabilities of WPP Open to create hyper-personalised immersive brand experiences that connect with high-value audiences at every touchpoint. This individual will be a strategic partner to the client and internal WPP teams ensuring all media efforts are aligned with our clients brandobjectivesand business goals. Theplanninglead with work closely with thestrategyplanningand activationteamsto ensure the transition of the strategic approach to planning and team will be at the forefront of WPP agency integration model working alongside creative production and underpinned by data and technology in WPP Open.

In this role you will:

Media Planning Craft:

• Lead the planning output on your specific client to create unrivalled work.
• Be able to articulate the strategic approach into media behaviours and train and support the wider team.
• Need strategic thinking on how we utilise tools and specialism outside of planning on of growth measurement learning agenda data etc
• Build presence outside of current teams and drive visibility of planning team within the wider agency.
• Bring a fresh perspective to planning approaches including the use of different tools newinsightsand coach others to challenge the status quo.

Effective communication:

• Overall responsibility for the development of all planning responses ensuring we are developing unrivalled work in all executions.
• Manage senior client relationships understanding what they need for their business and how to drive growth for them.
• Manage the planning team ensuring the have clear personalobjectivesstructureand regular reviews.

Idea creation and storytelling:

• Build and develop relationship with media owners and look for opportunities to create unrivalled work
• Have an advanced commercial understanding of our products and services. Understanding which are suitable for their clients and how sell in solutions.
• Be a story telling expert driving added value with the team and quality boosting output.

Core skills:

Practice Area Knowledge Advanced

• Demonstratesadvancedunderstanding of the industry as well as future trends.
• Serves as an internal consultant/expert on at least some tools and technology.
• Effectively guides junior team members on advanced elements.
• Works withleadershipteam to developnew solutionsand/or spot new applications.

Problem Solving Advanced

• Performs complex analyses of a range of information andidentifiesissues before they become problems; helps others think about how to define or redefine complex problems.
• Supports business leaders to find solutions andevaluatesothers solutions to determine the best way forward.
• Understands how to resolve escalated issues andcoachesothers toproblem solve.
• Manages escalations.

Stakeholder Management Advanced

• Capitalizes ondeep understanding of (current or potential) client and agency organizational structures business processes strategicobjectivesand challengesin order toanticipateand meet their needs.
• Demonstrates expert knowledge andmonitorsthe clients industry and competitive environmentin order tocreate effective solutions.
• Advises key stakeholders by continuously helping them to successfully navigate through critical business changes.
• Usesstrong deepexpertiseand contextual awareness to explore complex issues with stakeholders andprovidetrusted advicedeliverablesand campaign KPIs.

Effective Communication Advanced

• Leads the delivery of relevant andaccurateinformation to drive maximum impact.
• Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority appropriately judging the demands of the situation.
• Creatively develops presentations and comms to help with the understanding/education of complex information.
• Guides others on the best practices and approaches for creating clearconciseand organized communication materials to convey plans in a user-friendly way.

Campaign Management Expert

• Sets the standard for accuracy and thoroughness so that sufficiently detailed information is logged correctly.
• Balances short-term considerations with long-term goals and ensures that critical deliverables are met.
• Manages multiple overlapping timelines and competing demands weighing the needs of different stakeholders across the business todeterminepriorities for parallel projects and sets priorities according to business needs.

Compelling storytelling Advanced

• Lead and direct the creation of a story taking into account client knowledge levels and deepexpertiseand sound judgement to persuade key decision makers on recommendation considering all implications.
• Designs differentiated communications (content focus style presentation etc.) for various internal and external audiences.

Ideas Creation Expert

• Develops strategies to bringnew technologiesinnovationsand products to life.
• Challenges the client and team in innovating and designingnew solutionsmethodsand products to remain competitive and lead the industry.

Comms Planning Advanced

• High technical knowledge of all media touchpoints as well as how they interplay and future trends.
• Serves as a consultant and quality controls plans strategies and frameworks that leave the building.
• Strategic learnings and insights about business impact (not just media metrics).Development of directional media strategy/platform.
• Developing comms planning skills amongstwidercommunity.
• Looks for alternative solutions to problems and constantly challenges received norms in a spirit of positive provocation.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment toBe Extraordinary investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We alsoLead Optimisticallyfirmly believingin andChampioning Growth and Developmentfor every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees toleveragethe extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions build vital professional connections and learn at thecutting edgeof marketing and advertising.

WeCreate an Open environmentbuilt 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 eventsshowcasingteam 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 whenweretogether fostering creativity collaboration and connection in this open and supportive a hybrid approach with teams in the office around four days a week. If yourequireaccommodations 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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