VP, Planning New London, United Kingdom

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.

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.

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 stakeholders, 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 what's possible.

• Develop and champion the regional planning vision, ensuring it aligns with our 3Cs (Communities, Culture, Connections) approach and WPP’s 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 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.

• 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.

• 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 practices and of the wider agency.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

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