At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation initiatives for top clients, driving impactful change and innovation.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in AI-driven media solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and generous time off.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of media while working with top brands and talent.
- Qualifications: Experience in media transformation and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 personalization 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
This role sits within WPP Media’s Global Client Solutions and leads transformation across our most critical client engagements. It sets the transformation agenda—proactively defining the north star, priorities, and sequencing for how WPP Media and our clients will win next—shifting teams from reactive delivery to agenda-setting, system-led change. It owns the orchestration and value realization of complex change, designing simple, repeatable systems (operating models, workflows, diagnostics, maturity maps, and change management) that convert ambition into measurable outcomes. Two capabilities define success: commerciality and executive influence.
Core Values
- 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.
Skills And Experience
- Strategic Leadership & Vision: Set and own the transformation agenda for WPP Media’s most critical client engagements—define the north star, non‑negotiables, and sequenced path to value. Establish a systems‑first approach: operating models, workflows, diagnostics, maturity frameworks, and change management that scale across engagements. Translate market shifts (AI, automation, platforms, commerce, data privacy) into practical standards and embed AI‑enabled workflows. Move the organization from projects to platforms and from best practice to repeatable systems; codify and socialize playbooks that connect strategy to delivery. Champion an “own the orchestration, enable the system” ethos, connecting disciplines to deliver tangible business impact.
- Business Development & Growth: Rewire scopes, pricing, staffing models, and delivery structures to strengthen profitability and cash for WPP Media. Productize offerings with clear SLAs, KPIs, and outcome‑based narratives. Design commercial constructs aligning value and incentives. Create integrated propositions across WPP Media and the wider WPP ecosystem; identify and land cross‑sell/upsell pathways. Represent transformation in senior client forums; act as executive sponsor for flagship engagements.
- Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and inspire a high‑performing transformation team aligned to GCS priority engagements. Define role clarity and capability ladders; recruit and develop M‑shaped talent. Create a culture of knowledge sharing—codify best practice into reusable assets and run enablement to drive adoption. Deploy talent dynamically to the highest‑impact opportunities; ensure the right capabilities are matched to the right work at the right time.
- Operational Excellence & Delivery: Set rigorous delivery standards and governance across critical engagements; ensure consistent, on‑time, on‑budget execution. Orchestrate senior stakeholder alignment; navigate bureaucracy to unblock decisions and maintain momentum. Lead with urgency in high‑pressure, fast‑turnaround scenarios—stand up rapid response structures to stabilize and accelerate delivery. Embed structured change management; track and deliver value realization. Own operations and performance for the GCS transformation portfolio (P&L stewardship, utilization, forecasting, profitability).
Experience
Significant experience in media/marketing transformation, consulting, or related disciplines, with leadership across high-stakes client engagements. Proven ability to restructure scopes, pricing, staffing, and delivery to improve profitability and create reinvestment headroom. Deep expertise in operating model and workflow design, diagnostics, maturity mapping, and sequenced change management. Demonstrable experience embedding pragmatic AI-enabled workflows to improve efficiency and decision quality. Exceptional poise and judgment in high‑pressure, fast‑turnaround environments; decisive, calm, and creative under time constraints. Excellence in executive stakeholder management and storytelling; credible advisor to C‑suite, procurement, and senior client sponsors. Strong commercial acumen: offer design, pricing, contracting, P&L stewardship, and outcome‑based/value realization frameworks. Connector across disciplines (media, content, CX, platforms, commerce); builder of M‑shaped talent and teams. Bias for action with hands‑on delivery when required; comfortable moving from boardroom strategy to operational detail. Ability to integrate across WPP Media and the wider WPP ecosystem to align capabilities and drive impact.
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, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. 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. 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. 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. Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.
Transformation Lead employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a dynamic work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. With access to global networks and resources, employees can pursue their passions while enjoying competitive benefits, including comprehensive health plans and generous paid time off. The hybrid work model fosters a sense of community, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to transformative client engagements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transformation Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at WPP Media. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding WPP's transformation agenda. Show how your skills align with their vision and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've led change or driven results in past roles. Make it relatable and impactful!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you're serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Transformation Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Transformation Lead role. Highlight your experience in media/marketing transformation and how it aligns with WPP Media's goals. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about strategic leadership and vision, so don’t hold back! Share examples of how you've led teams through change and delivered measurable outcomes. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and drive transformation.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at WPP Media!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Know Your Transformation Agenda
Before the interview, make sure you understand WPP Media's transformation agenda. Familiarise yourself with their approach to AI-driven media and how they help clients navigate change. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to setting the north star for client engagements.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your strategic leadership capabilities. Think about times when you've successfully led transformation initiatives or influenced executive stakeholders. Highlight your ability to translate complex market shifts into actionable strategies, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Acumen
WPP Media values strong commerciality, so be prepared to discuss your experience with pricing models, scopes, and profitability. Bring specific examples of how you've improved financial outcomes in previous roles. This will show that you understand the business side of transformation and can drive value for clients.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Leadership Experience
Talk about your experience in building and leading high-performing teams. Share how you've defined roles, developed talent, and created a culture of knowledge sharing. WPP Media is looking for someone who can inspire and mobilise a team, so showcasing your leadership style will be crucial.
