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- Tasks: Lead strategic transformation initiatives across EMEA, driving innovation and operational efficiency.
- Company: Join WPP, a global leader in creative transformation with over 100,000 talented individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, career growth opportunities, and a culture of creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of technology operations in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategy development and transformation leadership within complex organisations.
- Other info: WPP values diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone can thrive.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Head of Strategy & Transformation – EMEA
London, United Kingdom
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.
Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.
WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.
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:
To define and drive the strategic direction and transformation agenda for Technology Operations across the EMEA region. This role ensures alignment with WPP’s global and agency-specific priorities, delivering measurable value through innovation, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. The role also plays a key part in leading change and adoption efforts to embed transformation outcomes across the region
What you'll be doing:
- Co-develop and maintain the TechOps vision, objectives, and strategy in alignment with WPP, Enterprise Technology and Agency goals
- Provide strategic guidance to senior stakeholders on innovation, transformation, and investment priorities
- Define and track success metrics and KPIs to measure strategic impact and value delivery in partnership with the global TechOps Portfolio office and the ET Strategic Portfolio Office
- Shape and monitor the regional Technology Investment Roadmap, ensuring progress is monitored and managed in-line with the Strategic direction.
Transformation Management
- Lead the TechOps transformation portfolio, ensuring delivery of initiatives that modernise the operating model and reduce cost
- Provide delivery assurance over the transformation portfolio using the guidance provided by the Strategic Portfolio & Global TechOps Portfolio, to achieve the transformational outcomes
- Oversee demand forecasting and planning, ensuring alignment with portfolio governance
- Drive business case development for new initiatives, ensuring value creation and risk mitigation
- Resolve demand conflicts and prioritisation issues across markets and functions.
Change and Adoption and Experience Design
- Lead the change and adoption strategy for transformation initiatives across EMEA.
- Champion Experience Design concepts into the EMEA transformation.
- Partner with communications, HR, and Portfolio Delivery COEs and training teams to ensure effective rollout and uptake of new ways of working.
- Monitor adoption metrics and feedback loops to continuously improve engagement and impact and report to the Global TechOps Portfolio as required
- Act as a visible champion for change, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Capability Alignment
- Maintain a capability alignment with the Director of Strategy and Transformation – TechOps to ensure consistency in strategic frameworks, transformation methodologies, and reporting standards across regions.
- Contribute to global transformation forums and share EMEA insights to shape enterprise-wide initiatives.
- Embed best practices and tools provided by the global Strategy & Transformation function into regional execution.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with the Strategic Portfolio Office, the Global TechOps as well as Portfolio leads in the clusters
- Work closely with the Head of Infrastructure & Operations and the Head of End User Services to ensure alignment and integration of transformation efforts across all TechOps domains.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across WPP agencies and central functions.
- Act as a strategic partner to regional ExCo and market leaders, funnelling operational and innovation demand into appropriate delivery streams.
- Ensure seamless execution of transformation programmes using the Transformation Delivery Lifecycle, balancing global and local priorities.
Team Management
- Manage the Agency Strategy & Operations Leads, PMO, Change & Adoption, and Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments staff in the region,
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management to ensure team alignment with strategic goals.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments
- Oversee the mergers, acquisitions, and divestments requirements in the region.
- Ensure strategic alignment and smooth integration of acquired entities.
- Manage divestment processes to optimize value and minimize disruption.
What you'll need:
- Proven experience in strategy development, transformation leadership, and portfolio management within a complex, matrixed organisation.
- Strong understanding of technology operations, digital innovation, and enterprise IT governance.
- Demonstrated success in leading change and adoption initiatives at scale.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at C-suite level.
- Experience working across diverse markets in EMEA, with cultural sensitivity and regional insight.
- Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive clarity in fast-paced environments.
Success Measures
- Delivery of strategic initiatives aligned to WPP’s business goals using the Transformation Delivery Lifecycle.
- Measurable improvements in operational efficiency, cost optimisation, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Increased adoption of new technologies and global ways of working across the region.
- Strong engagement and alignment with regional and global leadership.
- Effective collaboration with peer leaders to deliver integrated outcomes across TechOps.
- Consistent reporting of progress using Wrike.
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 or 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. Are you up for the challenge?
#LI-Onsite
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.
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Head of Strategy & Transformation - EMEA (London) employer: WPP
Contact Detail:
WPP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy & Transformation - EMEA (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the strategy and transformation space, especially those who have experience in technology operations. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with WPP's recent projects and initiatives in the EMEA region. Understanding their strategic goals and challenges will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading change and adoption initiatives. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully driven transformation in previous roles, particularly in complex organisations.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your stakeholder management skills by preparing to discuss how you've influenced C-suite executives in past roles. Highlight your ability to build relationships and drive alignment across diverse teams.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy & Transformation - EMEA (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in strategy development and transformation leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive change and manage portfolios within complex organisations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for creativity and innovation. Clearly articulate how your skills align with WPP's mission and the specific requirements of the Head of Strategy & Transformation role.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this role, emphasise your experience in managing relationships at the C-suite level. Provide examples of how you've influenced decision-making in previous positions.
Showcase Cultural Sensitivity: Since the role involves working across diverse markets in EMEA, include experiences that demonstrate your cultural sensitivity and regional insights. This will show your ability to navigate different environments effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research WPP's culture and values. They emphasise creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Head of Strategy & Transformation, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully led transformation initiatives or developed strategic plans that delivered measurable results.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Given the importance of stakeholder management in this role, expect questions about how you've engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you influenced decision-making at the C-suite level.
✨Demonstrate Change Management Skills
WPP is looking for someone who can lead change effectively. Prepare to discuss your experience with change management, including how you've driven adoption of new technologies or processes and measured their success.
