VP, Planning

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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2425 - VP Planning

Role Summary and Impact

EssenceMediacom:

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 worlds 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.

We are searching for a visionary and highly experienced individual to join one of our top clients team as a Regional Planning Lead. This is a full-time position based in London. This role is pivotal in driving media planning excellence and strategic direction for our cross-channel marketing efforts across Europe. As the Regional Planning Lead you will be responsible for shaping the strategic vision ensuring high-quality execution and fostering a collaborative environment within the Regional planning team.

The regional planning team acts as a centre of excellence between the global team who is the guardian of the brand establish overall best practice and interact with senior stake holders and the local markets who bring market insights nuances and opportunities. All working collaboratively to unlock business growth.

You will act as a trusted advisor to regional and local senior marketing and media clients providing strategic guidance and influencing their thinking on media plans and investment always aligning with their business objectives. You will also champion a culture of innovation and excellence within the team driving continuous improvement and pushing the boundaries of whats possible.

Responsabilities

Media planning vision and leadership:

• Develop and champion the regional planning vision ensuring it aligns with our 3Cs (Communities Culture Connections) approach and WPPs overall strategic objectives.
• Drive innovation in media planning exploring new channels technologies and approaches to maximize campaign effectiveness.
• Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive media plans across all channels (digital and traditional) ensuring they are data-driven innovative and aligned with best practices.
• Possess a strong understanding of marketing and media concepts including but not to limited to decay curves/ad stock sufficiency curves and diminishing marginal returns.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the European media market landscape trends media owners and emerging opportunities.
• Ownership of translating the strategic approach into planning practices for specific client briefs and pitches.
• Drive adoption and best practice utilisation of WPP Open and other cutting-edge tools to standardise best in class planning ensure leading organization and track campaign performance / identification of optimization opportunities.

Client Relationship & Consultancy:

• Act as a consultant with both clients and internal teams to improve the work and develop the thought leadership of yourself and others.
• Operate as a senior client contact for comms and craft planning whilst ensuring that teams are delivering on a day-to-day basis.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key client stakeholders understanding their business objectives and providing strategic guidance on media planning.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve client satisfaction and drive business growth.
• Influence senior client stakeholders on media planning strategy and investment decisions.

Campaign management:

• Oversee campaign management ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard. Act as point of escalation for issues.
• Successful E2E management of Multi-Market campaigns (brief RTB execution and reporting).
• Raise the floor - by identifying where the requirements (and potential skills gaps) are and working with heads of dept. to develop and deliver training solutions.
• Raise the ceiling by identifying where new solutions and products could be delivered and working with heads of dept. to create the roadmap for them.
• Develop a skilled understanding of commercial practises and of the wider agency.

Comms planning and storytelling:

• Own planning presentations including defining the inputs needed and working with the wider teams to compile work and meet deadlines.
• Lead brainstorming and idea creation for campaigns. A passion for innovation and challenging the status quo with a positive constructive approach.

Team Management:

• Lead Regional Planning team of 5 people providing guidance support and development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment encouraging knowledge sharing and innovation.
• Set the direction for training and development initiatives within the planning team ensuring team members have the skills and knowledge to excel.
• Challenge and coach a broader team of local planners across our markets to develop a consistent strong product.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in media planning with a proven track record of success in developing and executing effective campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing media planning teams including setting strategic direction fostering a collaborative environment and mentoring team members at all levels.
• Influential Communicator: Articulate persuasive and able to present complex media strategies and market insights clearly and compellingly to senior client and agency leadership.
• Adaptable & Agile: Thrives in a dynamic evolving environment comfortable with ambiguity and able to quickly adapt strategies to new market needs and opportunities.
• Strategic & Analytical: Strong capacity for strategic thinking data analysis and translating insights into actionable media plans that drive business growth.
• Exceptional Connector & Facilitator: Proven ability to bridge communication gaps synthesize disparate information and foster collaboration across teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Client-Centric Partner: Dedicated to understanding and solving client challenges building trust and delivering tangible value.
• Regional multi-market European experience preferable.

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 Optimistically firmly believing in andChampioning Growth and Developmentfor 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.

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 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 were together fostering creativity collaboration and connection in this open and supportive environment. Thats why weve 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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