At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in innovative media planning and client engagement.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in creative transformation and AI-driven media solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and a vibrant work culture with growth opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work model and be part of a diverse, inclusive team.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the media landscape while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital media and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand
Role Summary and Impact
The Associate Director, Media Planning works within a team of media planners with 1-3 direct reports, inspiring innovation and great thinking. Role will include:
- Strategic thinking, forecasting, weekly reporting reviews and campaign PCAs or QBRs.
- Ensuring communication to the client is clear, compelling and of a high standard.
- Holding close client relationships and working alongside Client Services as the primary face of Essence’s acquisition media planning product for those clients.
- Being ultimately responsible for campaign performance and the delivery of business-enhancing innovation.
- Fostering strong external relationships and keeping a close eye on the market to ensure new opportunities and research are reviewed and implemented for the benefit of their clients.
You will be a key player in the planning team for Google Cloud, defining contextual layers and precision of budgets across channels, and helping evolve best practice, including pushing the adoption of emerging technologies, leading the development and deployment of planning frameworks.
Some of the things we’d like you to do:
- Be the point of contact for Planning across junior and mid-level clients, lead weekly meetings with clients and presentations.
- Oversee and quality assure all deliverables produced by junior team members.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality strategic presentations, actionable weekly reporting, insightful post-campaign analysis and clear briefs to Activation.
- Deliver clear and compelling rationale to support media investment recommendations and to evidence campaign performance versus expected outcomes.
- Work with Activation and Analytics to design the test and learn framework for assigned campaigns.
- Take responsibility for the performance of assigned media budgets against intended outcomes.
- Be a point of escalation for team issues (within and outside the team).
- Contribute to internal thought leadership and team process/workflow enhancement, increasing work quality, making us more efficient, and increasing Essential satisfaction.
- Set the quality standard for one or more planning deliverables per year, improving them over time via team/client feedback and incorporation of evolving external context.
Management Responsibility:
- Motivate a team, leading by example while coaching juniors.
- Provide timely and actionable feedback to aid in team development and improvement.
- Strong spreadsheet capability is a must, with a strong handle on using formulas and ideally able to use AI to build scripts.
- Monitor and support Essential satisfaction across client teams, identifying and implementing ways to maintain or increase satisfaction.
- Foster strong working relationships across the client team to facilitate flawless execution of plans.
- Communicate effectively across all levels of the team.
- Understand when to escalate issues to managers.
- Calculate the workload implication of new campaigns and feed into resource management.
- Provide awareness and recognition for jobs well done.
Skills and Experience
At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:
- Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
- Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
- Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.
Experience in a digital media agency.
Ability to work in a team environment that promotes collaboration; but also capable of working independently when needed.
Exceptional verbal & written communication skills - ability to think on your feet.
Strong analytical skills - ability to analyze raw data, identify true insight and develop actionable recommendations. A natural affinity with numbers is a must.
Strong interpersonal skills – able to forge strong relationships and influence clients, partners and colleagues alike.
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, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. 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.
We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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 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.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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 this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.
Associate Director, Media Planning in London employer: WPP Media WPP
Contact Detail:
WPP Media WPP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Media Planning in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the media planning space, especially those who might have insights into WPP Media. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into WPP Media’s recent campaigns and innovations. Show us you’re not just familiar with the company but genuinely excited about how you can contribute to our growth and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As an Associate Director, you’ll need to deliver compelling pitches. Grab a friend or use a mirror to rehearse your delivery and get comfortable with your content.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at WPP Media.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Media Planning in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Director, Media Planning role. Highlight your experience in media planning and how it aligns with WPP Media's goals. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. We love numbers, so let us know how you've turned insights into actionable recommendations!
Communicate Clearly: Your written communication should be clear and compelling. Whether it's your CV or cover letter, make sure it reflects your ability to convey ideas effectively. Remember, we value exceptional communication skills at WPP Media!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our amazing team at WPP Media!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media WPP
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Associate Director in Media Planning, you'll need to demonstrate a strong affinity with numbers. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive campaign performance in the past. Bring examples of how you've turned raw data into actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
WPP Media values strategic thinkers. Prepare to discuss your approach to media planning and how you’ve forecasted outcomes in previous roles. Think about specific campaigns where your strategic input made a difference and be ready to share those stories.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are crucial for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a mock presentation to showcase your ability to deliver compelling rationale for media investment recommendations.
✨Build Relationships
Strong interpersonal skills are key in this position. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered relationships with clients and team members in the past. Think of examples where your ability to connect with others led to successful collaborations or improved client satisfaction.