Associate Director, Planning, UK in London

Associate Director, Planning, UK in London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
W

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative media planning and drive impactful campaigns for government clients.
  • Company: Join WPP Media, a pioneering agency transforming public communications.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and a supportive work culture.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in media planning and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

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.

Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country.

WPP 650 is a bespoke agency unit within WPP, dedicated to serving the evolving communications needs of government clients. We bring together the best of WPP's talent, technology, and insights to deliver impactful, modern, and effective public communications. We are at the forefront of reimagining how government engages with its citizens.

This is meaningful work with real-world impact – the kind you can point to with pride.

About The Role

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry leading, unrivalled work at WPP 650. We are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brand.

WPP 650 is looking for an Associate Director, Planning to join our growing planning team, to drive planning across specific clients and be a media planning expert.

In This Role, You Will

  • Media planning craft: Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems and planning best practices. Start to translate strategic approach into planning practices for specific client briefs and pitches. Have an advanced understanding of WPP 650’s Consumer Journey thinking and planning philosophy across all client work.
  • Campaign Management & Effective Communication: Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard. Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid-senior level.
  • 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 brainstorm and idea creation for campaigns.

Skills And Experience

  • Practice Area Knowledge: Develops breadth and depth of industry understanding. Becomes confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems.
  • Problem Solving: Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analyzing information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
  • Stakeholder Relationships: Has an expert knowledge of client and agency structures. Can identify key decision makers and understands their perspectives.
  • Effective Communication: Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact.
  • Campaign Management: Reviews the work of others to ensure accuracy and thoroughness objectives have been met.
  • Compelling Storytelling: Applies big picture thinking in work and proactively leverages an understanding of the organization and key industry trends.
  • Ideas Creation: Lead new projects/activities that can create ideas to deliver effective solutions to clients’ business objectives.
  • Comms Planning: Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market and category to effectively deliver compelling multi-media plans.

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. 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.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular 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.

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

Associate Director, Planning, UK in London employer: WPP Media Limited

WPP Media is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Strategic Cross-Channel Planning Manager, you will have access to extensive professional development opportunities and the chance to work on high-impact projects with leading brands like Nestlé. Located in a vibrant environment, our team values innovation and encourages employees to grow their expertise while making meaningful contributions to multichannel strategies.

W

Contact Details:

WPP Media Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Planning, UK in London

✨Show Your Creative Side

In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for WPP Media Limited and show them what you can bring to the table.

✨Engage in Marketing Communities

Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like WPP Media Limited are looking for.

✨Leverage Social Media

Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with WPP Media Limited on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

✨Attend Industry Events

Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at WPP Media Limited. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Planning, UK in London

Media Planning
Campaign Management
Effective Communication
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Problem Solving
Data Analysis
Storytelling

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit WPP Media Limited. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.

Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!

Demonstrate Your Understanding of WPP Media Limited:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about WPP Media Limited’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media Limited

✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns

Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at WPP Media Limited will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.

✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out

If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.

✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

At WPP Media Limited, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing

As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.