At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation for the UK Government, tackling complex challenges with cutting-edge strategies.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in transforming advertising through innovative experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, generous time off, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative, hybrid work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public sector challenges while shaping the future of media.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in innovation and strategic leadership within complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
The advertising industry is in the midst of the biggest multi-generational communications shift in history. CMOs and public sector leaders are mastering two critical transformations: delivering a data, technology & AI-powered future, and moving beyond paid advertising. Organizations must shift from interrupting people with ads to engaging people with highly relevant, trust-building experiences.
WPP Media has established The Experience Capability, a transformational offering that sits at the heart of integrated ESOP (Earned, Shared, Owned, Paid) strategies. This capability creates and integrates experiences across Platforms, Applied Innovation, Addressable strategy, Creators, and Creative Excellence to unlock growth for our clients' most pressing business challenges.
We are seeking a Vice President (VP) to lead Innovation on the UK Government account (WPP 650). The core mandate of this role is to drive, systematise, and scale applied innovation to solve the UK Government’s most complex operational and citizen-facing challenges. The VP will ensure that innovative ideas are systematically embedded into core campaign briefs to solve critical Department, Mission, and Government Media Unit (GMU) needs.
Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate is highly accomplished and comfortable on industry stages, in senior client boardrooms, and capable of simplifying complex technology, data, and innovation concepts, translating them into tangible citizen and campaign value. A proven track record of designing and scaling operational systems to embed innovation within a complex, highly regulated environment is essential.
Strategic Leadership & Vision (~40%)
- Define, Evolve, and Champion the UK Government Innovation System: Map applied innovation strategies directly to Department and Mission strategic ambitions, ensuring solutions address specific citizen behaviors and operational challenges.
- Lead the Media Futures Programme: Direct the agency's authoritative foresight and thought leadership (including trend reports, “Future of” learning sessions, and bespoke Gov/partner education days) to keep government clients future-ready.
- Establish Strategic Innovation Territories: Drive the development of solutions across Champion ESOP Integration: Demonstrate how applied innovation, emerging technologies, and new media ecosystems significantly enable and enhance integrated Earned, Shared, Owned, and Paid strategies.
- Enable Broader Strategy & Capability Growth: Collaborate closely with the wider Strategy & Capability division, converting government-specific innovation work and IP into scalable practices and methodologies that benefit the wider Experience Capability network.
- Act as Trusted Strategic Advisor: Build deep, advisor-level relationships with CMOs, Directors of Communication, and Government Communication Services leads, guiding their holistic innovation roadmap and campaign strategies.
- Deliver Bespoke Consultancy for Missions & Campaigns: Lead high-stakes client planning sessions, annual strategy reviews, and department-specific workshops to address pressing public sector challenges with bespoke, breakthrough media concepts.
- Systematise and Scale Innovation: Drive the transition of successful innovation pilots into recurring, foundational components of core media plans. Ensure the implementation of standardized “Test & Learn” measurement frameworks to validate Brand Lift and behavioral outcomes.
- Direct Senior Stakeholder Councils: Establish and run collaborative client-agency bodies, such as dedicated Innovation Steering Groups and stakeholder councils, to scale learnings and align priorities across government departments.
- Forge Partnership & JBP Agreements: Identify, evaluate, and scale strategic collaborations with platform partners and tech providers (utilising custom Partner Roster databases and Partner ID cards) to unlock first-to-market opportunities.
Network Collaboration & Internal Enablement (~10%)
- Lead and Mentor the Team: Provide direct line management and day-to-day guidance to a dedicated team of 5 Innovation Strategists and Planners, ensuring high standards of strategic delivery and supporting their career development.
- Orchestrate Delivery with Tech & Creative Specialists: Foster close, agile collaboration with the Business Director, Creative Tech Lead, and 2x Creative Technologists to quickly transition ideas from strategy to active, high-fidelity prototypes and live pilots.
- Bridge the Network: Connect the UK Government account to wider WPP networks, coordinating seamlessly with WPP Production (HEX), WPP Innovation teams, and other regional capabilities to bring the collective's best ideas to life.
- Democratise Case Studies and Knowledge Sharing: Actively capture and document learnings from activated pilots, building a robust case study repository and scaling successful methodologies across different geographic teams and accounts.
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 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.
VP, Innovation employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and innovation, particularly in the dynamic field of advertising. With a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture, employees benefit from extensive resources, competitive benefits, and opportunities to engage with cutting-edge marketing strategies. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility while ensuring that teams can connect and thrive together, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Innovation
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like WPP Media!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the VP, Innovation position at WPP Media via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Innovation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at WPP Media.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to WPP Media’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to WPP Media. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at WPP Media. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to WPP Media.
