At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful media planning campaigns and mentor junior team members.
- Company: Join Wavemaker UK, a dynamic agency with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and generous time off.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth and professional development await you.
- Why this job: Shape innovative campaigns and develop your media planning skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in media planning and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Wavemaker UK is looking for a Planning Manager to join our growing planning team, to create impactful cross‑channel campaigns and build your media planning skills.
Media Planning Craft
- Develop an in‑depth understanding of media channels including where, when and how to use them based on the client brief.
- Have a skilled knowledge of Wavemaker and industry media planning tools and be able to train other team members.
- Have a skilled understanding of industry best practices and planning theory.
- Develop a fundamental knowledge of Wavemaker Purchase Journey thinking and Provocative Planning Philosophy.
Campaign Management
- Ownership of campaign activity including briefing teams, collating response, managing client’s deliverables, and ensuring accuracy across all workstreams.
- Work closely with the planning and activation teams to ensure the day‑to‑day account is run efficiently and effectively.
- Bring in specialist teams where needed to work on briefs and client questions.
- Ensure financial management processes are always excellent and met in a timely manner.
Effective Communication
- Become a trusted main day‑to‑day contact for junior clients, learning their business and ways of working.
- Support in managing Planning Executives to ensure they are on track with daily tasks, mentor and challenge them with new projects to develop their career.
- Start to develop a proactive problem‑solving mindset but know when to flag any issues or concerns with the Planning Director.
Skills And Experience
- Practice Area Knowledge – Skilled: Develop breadth and depth of industry understanding. Become confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems and is able to train others. Comfortable presenting both direct from platform (OS, Architect etc.) and developing a story from data but delivered outside of platform (Telmar etc.). Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions to use.
- Problem Solving – Fundamental: Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analysing information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem and wider impact. Quickly generates appropriate solutions informed by previous experience. Understands how to resolve escalated issues and supports others to problem solve. Supports or leads troubleshooting communication for issues.
- Stakeholder Relationships – Fundamental: Has a good understanding of how the agency operates and works with their clients. Knows about the client’s business and who the key decision makers are there. Has good understanding of agency and client and their business goals and challenges.
- Effective Communications – Skilled: Breaks down complex technical information into understandable language, guiding others on best practice. Uses knowledge and expertise to generate comprehensible, broadly‑applicable communications.
- Campaign Management – Skilled: Teaches others the importance of accuracy and thoroughness so that sufficiently detailed information is logged correctly. Manages and takes ownership of campaigns from start to completion, maintaining accurate pipeline and campaign information across elements of the plans.
- Compelling Storytelling – Skilled: Applies big picture thinking in work and proactively leverages an understanding of the organisation and key industry trends.
- Ideas Creation – Skilled: Regularly engages in new projects/activities that can help solve identified barriers or opportunities as part of planning.
- Comms Planning – Skilled: Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market and category to effectively deliver compelling multi‑media plans.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
WPP Media is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. The role is UK based and requires the right to work in the UK. WPP Media offers a comprehensive benefits package including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision and dental insurance, significant paid time off, partner discounts and mental health awareness days.
Manager, Planning employer: WPP Media Limited
Wavemaker UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to develop their media planning skills while working on impactful cross-channel campaigns. With a strong focus on employee growth, Wavemaker provides comprehensive benefits including competitive medical plans, significant paid time off, and opportunities for mentorship, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the heart of the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Planning
✨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 Manager, Planning
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.
