Manager, Planning in Manchester

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.

Role Summary and Impact

T&P, part of WPP, is one of the world's leading full service creative and media agencies, connecting talent and tech to drive growth for brands. Formed by the integration of The&Partnership and mSix&Partners, it brings together content and distribution into a single, holistic end to end marketing solution. Backed by WPP and WPP Media and combined with the agility of an entrepreneurial Partner-led mindset, the multi-discipline agency spans four continents with 45 offices and over $1.2 billion dollar in billings globally. As an early adopter with the first ever AI-generated TV ad for Lexus in 2018, T&P is focused on harnessing AI across all its outputs with its 1,900 people already trained on WPP's proprietary AI platform Creative Studio, to deliver enhanced outcomes for clients.

We are looking for a knowledgeable and committed media planner to run the day-to-day management of the account, working closely with the Account Director to deliver creative, innovative and integrated campaigns across a range of channels. This includes ‘digital-first’ audience insight, competitive and market reviews and campaign performance analysis. Within this role you will be involved in end-to-end media planning, from annual planning to econometrics debriefs, lead a budding team, and deliver idea-first media solutions within an accommodating, fair and friendly client team. You should also have an established knowledge of the UK digital landscape and experience using insights and planning tools to ensure our plans are digital-first, founded in insight and set-up to test & learn. If you have a passion for media planning across multiple channels, this role will give you the support and tools needed to excel!

As a Comms Planning specialist, you’ll have the chance to input heavily into the strategic planning and delivery of multiple multichannel campaigns. Aside from this, you'll be part of an extremely supportive team who always strive to deliver brilliant planning work, pushing industry boundaries whilst maximising returns for our clients’ businesses, so this is an excellent team to learn and develop in if you are looking to take that next, important step in your career.

We are looking for a conscientious and inquisitive person to join our team for this exciting, blended role. You must be able to operate as part of a team and demonstrate a willingness to learn and try new things.

Skills and Experience

• To be passionate about Communications Planning with an appetite to learn and develop, and demonstrate this by participating in planning initiatives, sharing knowledge and reaching out to others to proactively upskill yourself.
• An ambition to work as part of a tight-knit team and to contribute to the team culture of open communication, to enable learning and development of all our planning skills.
• A curiosity about consumer behaviour, trends, brands, the media landscape we operate in and technology.
• Self-motivated; an ambition to make your mark on a campaign via your contribution.
• Excellent organisational skills, meaning you are adept at managing a diverse workload, work at pace and are able to appropriately prioritise tasks.
• To be calm under pressure.
• A keen interest in understanding your client’s business and the challenges they face.
• Ability to give accurate verbal and written directions, instructions and feedback.
• A solution-focussed mindset.
• The ability to develop a way of storytelling through presentations.
• Enjoy motivating others to do their best work by what you put into the process.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

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 that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country. Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.