At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic comms planning for top brands and transform insights into impactful narratives.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in AI-driven media and creative partnerships.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, extensive benefits, and a supportive hybrid work environment.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that champions growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of media with innovative strategies and collaborative creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior comms strategy and exceptional storytelling skills.
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.
Role Overview
As Strategy Director for OpenConnect, you will be the driving force behind the strategic comms planning output across BT Group’s complete brand portfolio, spanning consumer powerhouses (EE, BT, Plusnet) and BT Business. Reporting directly to the VP/Head of Strategy & Comms Planning, you will take operational charge of the planning floor, transforming upstream business logic into world-class, insight-led comms strategies that inspire both creative agency partners and senior client marketers. This role is purpose-built to transform our day-to-day strategic craft.
Key Responsibilities
- Elevating the Strategic Output: Shape the Comms Output: Take direct ownership of the quality, consistency, and rigour of all comms planning deliverables emerging from the planning cohort across EE, BT, Plusnet, and BT Business.
- From Information to Insight: Move the team away from surface-level observations and data dumping. Unearth sharp, tension-led insights (category, cultural, consumer, and company) that unlock unexpected media behaviours.
- Stage 1 Architecture: Translate Stage 0 portfolio growth strategies into clear, actionable comms ecosystems, defining distinct role-for-channel tasks, full-funnel journeys, and Get/To/By frameworks that guide activation.
- The Applied Strategy Mandate: Champion applied discipline over theoretical deck-building. Ensure strategies actively steer media channel choices, investment weights, and creative formats.
- Executive Packaging & Narrative Storytelling: Rewriting the Narrative: Radically elevate the standard of strategic storytelling across the team. Replace tactical, jargon-heavy decks with compelling, commercially grounded narratives that captivate marketing directors and executive leaders.
- Executive Packaging: Master the art of the synthesis. Package complex media systems, technical mechanics, and multi-brand nuances into succinct, punchy, C-suite ready narratives that clearly articulate the "So What?".
- Visual & Verbal Clarity: Coach the planning cohort on visual layout, storyline momentum, and presentation delivery, setting a new benchmark for what an OpenConnect strategic deliverable looks and feels like.
- Creative Agency Partnership & Ecosystem Integration: Inter-Agency Roster Leadership: Act as a strategic partner to creative and BT strategists across the BT Group roster. Build collaborative, high-trust working relationships that dismantle agency silos.
- Upstream Creative Collaboration: Where possible, engage early in the creative development cycle to influence ideation, ensuring creative platforms and media channel architectures complement, push, and amplify each other.
- Bridge the Creative/Media Divide: Serve as the connective tissue between creative ambition and media capability, co-developing unified campaign playbooks where media environments make the creative idea unmissable.
- Multi-Brand & Enterprise Breadth (Consumer + B2B): Consumer Portfolio Rigour: Maintain clear distinction, tone, and strategic guardrails across consumer brands, ensuring EE, BT, and Plusnet execute with distinct roles without internal friction or audience overlap.
- BT Business Acceleration: Partner with the enterprise leads to bring consumer-grade storytelling, behavioural insight, and dynamic comms planning into the B2B space.
- Cross-Pollination: Identify shared learnings, testing frameworks, and effectiveness benchmarks across consumer campaigns and adapt them strategically for BT Business.
- Team Upskilling: Arms around the team: Actively mentor, manage, and coach planners in the team, transforming them from reactive brief-takers into proactive strategic partners.
- Support on comms planning culture within the Open Connect team, bringing planners together in weekly council sessions, leading stretch sessions, training etc.
- Embed Best Practice: Institutionalise consistent comms planning toolkits, framing templates, and insight-mining methodologies across the entire account team.
- Instill Strategic Confidence: Build a team culture anchored in conviction, strategic bravery, and clear point-of-view, empowering planners to defend ideas and challenge client briefs with commercial intelligence.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
- Senior Comms Planning clout: Experience in senior Comms Strategy/planning, Connections Planning, or Integrated Strategy roles within top-tier media or creative agencies.
- Master Storyteller: Exceptional ability to distill messy, highly technical, and data-dense inputs into elegant, high-impact stories tailored for CMOs and Marketing Directors.
- Insight Hunter: Demonstrated ability to find provocative, emotionally resonant human truths and cultural tensions that unlock fresh creative media solutions.
- Creative Fluency: Experienced working alongside top creative agency strategy leads, with the diplomacy, creative vocabulary, and collaborative skill to shape work jointly.
- B2C & B2B Versatility: Consumer comms experience combined with the intellectual curiosity and agility to tackle the complex, account-based nuances of BT Business.
- Team Player: Natural mentor who loves developing planners, raising team morale through their positivity, enthusiasm and energy.
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.
If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Director, Planning,UK in London employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a commitment to inclusivity and a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive medical and retirement plans, employees are empowered to thrive in their careers while enjoying a supportive environment. The opportunity to work with high-profile clients globally and leverage cutting-edge AI-driven solutions makes this role not only rewarding but also pivotal for personal and professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Director, Planning,UK in London
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. 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:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about WPP Media’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
✨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 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, 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.
