At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic thinking and develop innovative communication strategies for top brands.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in AI-driven media solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, extensive benefits, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Be part of transformative brand strategies and challenge conventional thinking.
- Qualifications: Strong storytelling skills and a passion for creativity and critical thinking.
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.
Role Summary and Impact
Are you curious about human behaviour, and always looking for inspiration from a collection of sources beyond the norm? Do you wish to challenge the status quo, and bring strategies to life in exceptional ways? Wavemaker UK is looking for a curious and provocative strategy partner to join our department. Wavemaker UK are experiencing exceptional growth, offering interesting brand challenges for strategists to take on, and bring our ethos of Positive Provocation to all the unrivalled work that passes through our doors.
In this role, you will drive strategic thinking across:
- Client Work: Own the comms strategy development for your client briefs, which includes identifying audiences, growth opportunities, building the cultural context, understanding the brand position amongst competitors, all to develop a differentiating comms strategy and media behaviour.
- Pitches: Own and develop the comms strategy for the pitch brief, building a robust understanding of the audience, working with audience science to build any bespoke research, and ensuring the strategy comes through in activation and any big ideas.
- Thought leadership: Write thought leadership for the agency, attend conferences and talks, and network within the industry to have a finger on the pulse.
- Agency: Coach and mentor junior agency members who have a strategic nous. Make the work better through optimising ways we respond to briefs, the way we plan, the way we brainstorm ideas, etc.
- Awards: Surface the award-winning work on your clients, and spearhead the storytelling for each entry, chasing after the results to make the entry as strong as possible.
- Team: Be engaged and involved in team meetings and initiatives, including participating in debates, brainstorms, and inspiration outings.
Skills and Experience
- Storytelling & Persuasion: The ability to develop a compelling narrative and use multiple storytelling techniques to sell in a strategy, idea, media argument, etc.
- Marketing & Media Industry Theory and Thinking: Knowledge and understanding of the core Media and broader Marketing principles as well as the key literature and thinking that guides the best practices in Media and Comms.
- Creativity: The ability to weave creativity into every aspect, whether it's thinking differently about a problem or pushing the boundaries of the thinking and the ideas to take brands to a new place.
- Critical Thinking: The objective analysis and evaluation of a business, media or human challenge in order to identify insights and form a point of view.
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. 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.
Strategy Lead in Manchester employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that champions growth and development, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity thrives. With a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, employees benefit from extensive professional connections, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for personal growth in a dynamic environment. The hybrid work model fosters a balance between teamwork and flexibility, making WPP Media a prime choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in strategy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and showcases your strategic thinking. Whether it’s case studies, presentations, or even blog posts, having tangible evidence of your expertise can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their values, and come armed with questions that show you’re genuinely interested. Practice your storytelling skills to convey your experiences in a compelling way that aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining WPP Media and being part of our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity:When writing your application, let your curiosity shine through! Share examples of how you've challenged the status quo in your previous roles. We love candidates who think outside the box and bring fresh perspectives.
Craft a Compelling Narrative:Your application is your chance to tell your story. Use storytelling techniques to weave together your experiences and skills. Make sure it flows well and highlights how you can contribute to our team at Wavemaker UK.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the Strategy Lead role by aligning your skills with the job description. Show us how your background in media and marketing makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research WPP Media and its clients thoroughly. Understand their brand values, recent campaigns, and market position. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate how your strategic thinking aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss examples of how you've challenged conventional thinking in past roles. Bring along case studies or anecdotes that highlight your ability to weave creativity into strategy, as this is crucial for a Strategy Lead role.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Practice articulating your ideas in a compelling narrative. Use storytelling techniques to explain your thought process and how you arrived at specific strategies. This will not only engage your interviewers but also showcase your persuasive skills.
✨Engage in Thought Leadership
Be ready to discuss current trends in media and marketing. Share your insights on how these trends can impact WPP Media's strategies. This shows that you're not just a strategist but also someone who stays ahead of the curve and contributes to industry conversations.
