Planning Director (Parental Leave Cover) in London

London, United Kingdom

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

About Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

Role Summary and Impact

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry leading, unrivalled work at Wavemaker. We are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brand. Wavemaker UK is looking for a Planning Director to join our growing planning team, to drive planning across specific clients and be a media planning expert.

Responsibilities

• 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 Wavemaker’s Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy across all client work, including being an expert in a broad set of internal tools and external tools to build a deep understanding of the consumer, the client’s business and its opportunities.
• Have an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends and start to build media owner relationships.
• 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, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders and client business.
• Own planning presentations including defining the inputs needed and working with the wider teams to compile work and meet deadlines.
• Lead brainstorming and idea creation for campaigns.
• Start to independently problem solve, integrating and questioning data and insights and find solutions based on knowledge and experience.

Qualifications & Skills

• 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.
• Skill: Practice Area Knowledge – Skilled – Develop breadth and depth of industry understanding. Confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems and 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 – Skilled – Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analyzing information.
• Stakeholder Relationships – Skilled – Expert knowledge of client and agency structures. Able to identify key decision makers and build relationships.
• Effective Communication – Advanced – Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact.
• Campaign Management – Advanced – Reviews the work of others for accuracy, provides coaching and applies best practice.
• Compelling Storytelling – Skilled – Applies big picture thinking and leverages understanding of organization and industry trends.
• Ideas Creation – Advanced – Leads new projects/activities that generate ideas to deliver effective solutions.
• Comms Planning – Skilled – Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market and category to 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. 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.

EEO Statement

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.

Work Environment

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.

Eligibility

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

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