Executive Assistant - Talent Acquisition in London

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise. Our people are the key to our success. We’re committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

Why we’re hiring: We’re looking for a highly experienced Executive Assistant to provide senior-level support to the Global Head of Talent Acquisition: Tech and Data, the Global Head of Executive Search, and key members of the Executive Search function within WPP’s Talent Acquisition Centre of Excellence. This is a trusted, high-impact EA role supporting leaders who operate across global Talent Acquisition, specialist Data and Technology hiring, and senior Executive Search. You will act as a professional and proactive partner to the leaders you support, ensuring their time, priorities, meetings, communications, travel and follow-up are managed with accuracy, pace and discretion. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, candidates, hiring leaders, Executive Assistants and colleagues across the wider People and Talent Acquisition community.

The right person will bring strong Executive Assistant experience, excellent judgement and the ability to operate independently in a confidential, senior stakeholder environment. You will be comfortable managing complex diaries, coordinating senior candidate interviews, arranging international travel, supporting expenses and ensuring actions are followed through to completion. This is a fast-paced, global role that requires structure, responsiveness and professionalism. We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, calm under pressure, confident using technology and AI tools such as Copilot, and able to anticipate needs before they arise. You will help senior TA leaders and the Executive Search function operate efficiently, professionally and with focus.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide proactive Executive Assistant support to the Global Head of Talent Acquisition: Tech and Data, the Global Head of Executive Search and key members of the Executive Search function.
• Manage complex, fast-changing diaries across multiple time zones, ensuring priorities are understood, conflicts are resolved and leaders’ time is used effectively.
• Manage inboxes, communications and follow-up, helping prioritise requests, track actions and ensure timely responses.
• Act as a coordination point across the Talent Acquisition CoE, Data and Tech TA pillar, Executive Search, People colleagues, senior business stakeholders and the wider EA network.
• Use ATS platforms (Greenhouse and/or Thrive) to manage candidate activity, coordination, and data throughout the recruitment lifecycle with a strong focus on data accuracy and maintaining the integrity of candidate and recruitment records.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to prepare and coordinate materials for leadership meetings, search updates, candidate discussions and executive briefings, ensuring documents are clear, accurate and ready for senior audiences.
• Support interview coordination for senior candidates, including complex panel scheduling, candidate communications, interview materials, logistics and ensuring a professional candidate experience.
• Coordinate leadership forums, search review meetings, team meetings and offsites, including agendas, logistics, minutes, actions and follow-up.
• Handle highly confidential information relating to executive searches, senior candidates, organisational changes, commercial matters and leadership priorities with complete discretion.
• Arrange and manage complex global travel plans, including multi-leg itineraries, flights, accommodation, visas where required, ground transport and last-minute changes.
• Manage travel itineraries and logistics for senior leaders and senior candidates across regions and time zones, ensuring arrangements are practical, efficient and aligned to business priorities.
• Work closely with Finance to manage expenses, purchase orders, invoices, approvals and budget-related administration accurately and in line with WPP processes.
• Build trusted relationships across the TA CoE, People leadership network and EA community, supporting effective ways of working and smooth day-to-day operations.

What you’ll need:

• Significant experience as an Executive Assistant supporting senior executives or equivalent leaders within a large, global, matrixed organisation.
• Strong experience managing complex international travel, including multi-leg itineraries, visas where required, accommodation, ground transport and last-minute changes.
• Experience working with Finance teams on expense management, invoice processing, purchase orders, approvals and accurate financial administration.
• A credible, professional approach, with confidence operating at senior levels and representing multiple leadership offices effectively.
• Strong digital and AI awareness, including confidence using tools such as Copilot to support diary management, meeting preparation, notes, actions and communications.
• The ability to think ahead, anticipate needs and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
• Experience supporting Talent Acquisition, Executive Search, People, HR or professional services leadership teams would be advantageous.
• Additional language skills would be an advantage, particularly in a global role supporting senior stakeholders and candidates across multiple regions.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise at pace.
• Discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive information.
• A proactive, adaptable approach, with the ability to manage competing demands.
• A collaborative mindset, working effectively within a wider EA network.

Who you are:

• You’re open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.
• You’re optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures for our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.
• You’re extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we’ll give you:

• Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.
• Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.
• Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers.

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. WPP 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.