Transition Operations Director

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.

Role Summary and Impact

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. WPP Media is seeking a strategic and experienced Director, Transition Lead to join our team in London. This is a business-critical leadership role, responsible for orchestrating the seamless and successful onboarding of new clients and setting the stage for long-term growth and partnership.

As the Transition Lead, you will own the end-to-end integration of complex, multi-market clients into our network. You will develop and execute robust transition programs, ensuring that all workstreams—from commercial setup to team onboarding and technology integration—are managed flawlessly. This is a unique opportunity to shape our agency's most important new client relationships from day one, ensuring we deliver operational excellence and drive immediate value.

This role requires a leader who can navigate a matrixed environment, manage senior stakeholders, and drive change effectively. As part of the role, you'll at times also work across the wider WPP network, including partners in WPP Production and WPP Creative, to deliver integrated solutions. You will be responsible for leading teams in varying compositions based on the task at hand.

• Transition Strategy & Programme Leadership: Develop and own the end-to-end transition strategy and detailed programme plans for new clients, defining scope, timelines, milestones, and key deliverables.
• Execution & Coordination: Lead the flawless execution of the transition plan, coordinating across multiple markets and internal functions including client leadership, finance, legal, HR, and technology.
• Senior Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary, senior point of contact for client executives and internal leadership throughout the transition, ensuring clear, consistent communication and expertly managing expectations.
• Change Management: Design and implement effective change management strategies to ensure the smooth adoption of new processes, tools, and team structures for both the client and our internal teams.
• Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with client transitions, developing contingency plans to ensure a smooth and professional onboarding experience.
• Team Leadership: Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing transition team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.

Skills and Experience

• An extensive and proven track record in a senior transition, programme management, or project management role, gained within a large-scale media agency, consultancy, or other complex, global organization.
• Demonstrable success in leading complex, multi-market transitions for large, global clients or leading complex multi-market projects.
• Deep expertise in applying project, programme, and change management methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) to deliver successful business outcomes.
• Exceptional senior stakeholder management and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and build consensus with executive-level leaders.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing complex project budgets and ensuring profitability.
• Inspirational leadership skills with experience building and developing high-performing teams.
• A strategic and commercially-minded approach, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and solve complex problems with clarity and confidence.
• Familiarity with leveraging AI tools and AI-powered support for project management and project management tracking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant prior experience within an agency group active in multi-market environments.

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 that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country. Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.