Account Director - Planning & Strategy

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.

About the role

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry leading, unrivalled work at WPP. We are looking for a Planning Account Director for our prestigious automotive client account for the UK. This role is central to translating our client's modern luxury vision into actionable media plans that drive desire and deliver exceptional results. The Planning Account Director will be responsible for transforming the strategic frameworks, uncovering deep consumer insights and leveraging the full capabilities of WPP Open to create hyper-personalised, immersive brand experiences that connect with high‑value audiences at every touchpoint.

This individual will be a strategic partner to the client and internal WPP teams, ensuring all media efforts are aligned with our client’s brand objectives and business goals. The planning account director will work closely with the strategy, planning and activation teams to ensure the transition of the strategic approach to planning and activations.

In this role, you will:

• 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’s Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy across all client work.
• Have an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends and start to build media owner relationships.

Campaign management & effective communication

• Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard.
• Develop a skilled understanding of commercial practices and of the wider agency.
• 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.
• Start to independently problem‑solve, including integrating and questioning data and insights.

Core skills

• Develops breadth and depth of industry understanding.
• Becomes confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems and is able to train others.
• Comfortable presenting both direct from platform and developing a story from data.
• Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions to use.

Problem Solving – Skilled

• Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analysing information.
• Quickly generates appropriate solutions informed by previous experience.
• Understands how to resolve escalated issues and supports others to problem‑solve.

Stakeholder Relationships – Skilled

• Has an expert knowledge of client and agency structures.
• Can identify key decision makers and understands their perspectives.
• Identifies strategic issues and raises questions to help stakeholders explore and understand their wider business challenges.

Effective Communication - Advanced

• Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact.
• Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority.
• Creatively develops presentations and communications to help with the understanding/education of complex information.

Campaign Management – Advanced

• Reviews the work of others to ensure accuracy and thoroughness objectives have been met.
• Applies best practice to campaign management and acts as the escalation point for issues.
• Provides actionable insights during mid and post‑campaign reports.

Compelling Storytelling – Skilled

• Applies big picture thinking in work and proactively leverages an understanding of the organization and key industry trends.
• Designs differentiated communications for various internal and external audiences.

Ideas Creation – Advanced

• Lead new projects/activities that can create ideas to deliver effective solutions to clients’ business objectives.
• Ability to proactively generate ideas to provoke and deliver against broader business strategies.
• Champions an environment that fosters innovation by encouraging others to openly share and build on others’ new ideas.

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