WPP Media is hiring a GroupM EMEA Careers - Planning Director

WPP Media is looking for a Planning Director for its Wavemaker UK team. In this role, you will be the media planning expert driving the planning approach for specific clients. You will act as a central conduit to all specialists to push boundaries and create work that impacts consumers and brands.

What You'll Do

• Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems, and planning best practices.
• Translate strategic approach into planning practices for specific client briefs and pitches.
• Apply Wavemaker’s Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy across all client work.
• Use internal and external tools to build a deep understanding of the consumer, the client’s business, and its opportunities.
• Maintain an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends, and build media owner relationships.
• Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard.
• Develop a skilled understanding of commercial practices and of the wider agency.
• Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid-senior level.
• Own planning presentations, define inputs needed, and work with wider teams to compile work and meet deadlines.
• Lead brainstorm and idea creation for campaigns.
• Independently problem solve, integrating and questioning data and insights to find solutions.

What We're Looking For

• Skilled Practice Area Knowledge: Develops breadth and depth of industry understanding. Confident using tools, technology, techniques, and systems and able to train others.
• Comfortable presenting both direct from platform (OS, Architect) and developing a story from data delivered outside of platform (Telmar).
• Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions.
• Skilled Problem Solving: Uses critical questioning and a broad perspective. Quickly generates appropriate solutions informed by experience and understands how to resolve escalated issues.
• Skilled Stakeholder Relationships: Expert knowledge of client and agency structures. Identifies key decision makers and understands their perspectives to build relationships and suggest business solutions.
• Skilled Compelling Storytelling: Applies big picture thinking and proactively leverages an understanding of the organization and key industry trends. Designs differentiated communications for various audiences.
• Skilled Comms Planning: Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market, and category to deliver compelling multi-media plans. Translates learnings and trends into strategies with clear measurement and applies purchase journey thinking.

Technical Stack

• OS
• Architect
• Telmar

Team & Environment

You will be part of the growing planning team at Wavemaker UK.

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance.
• Significant paid time off.
• Preferential partner discounts.
• Employee mental health awareness days.
• Access to global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue passions, grow networks, and learn.
• Employee resource groups and frequent in-office events.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based in the UK.

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.