Strategy Director (Hiring Immediately)

About WPP Media

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2186 -Strategy Director for Amazon XCM Europe

WPP OpenDoor, London

Role Summary & Impact

As a Strategy Director working on Amazon XCM (Cross-channel marketing, the team responsible for advertising Amazon’s core retail offering including Amazon Prime), you will lead a small team of experts behind data-driven campaign strategies in the upper and mid- funnel. You will lead the team developing strategic campaign narratives and including channel roles, and work closely with our 12 local market teams to formulate groundbreaking recommendations for the leading global online retailer. The overall WPP OpenDoor team is based across two hubs (London & Dusseldorf), and the Strategy team of seven is also split across both cities.
This role will run the London half of the Strategy team, and will involve occasional trips to visit our colleagues in Dusseldorf.

This role does not require previous pure strategy experience – it will definitely suit strong, analytical comms planners who are interested in moving into their first strategy role.

Strategy development & leadership: You will design holistic, data-driven campaign strategies for the upper & mid-funnel and define strategic guidelines, including responsibility for Amazon’s largest two campaigns of the year.

Client consulting: As a key strategic contact, you will be the lead strategic advisor for our clients on the optimal use of media channels and communicate complex relationships in workshops and presentations.

Data analysis: Analysing and synthesising a wide range of data sources, from market and competitive data to brand measurement reports, will be part of the team’s daily toolkit to derive clear strategic recommendations. You will help your team understand how to get the best out of data.

Project management: You confidently organize internal and external specialist teams across 12 international markets and ensure that strategic guidelines are precisely translated into the planning processes.

Mentoring: You enjoy sharing your expertise by mentoring junior employees and actively supporting their professional development. You will directly manage a Strategy Manager as well as mentoring the whole team.

Innovation & Tools: You follow current media trends closely and integrate new approaches into your work, confidently using relevant research, insight and planning tools as well as internal AI systems.

Creativity: You will work with specialists to develop and sell in creative media ideas that will help Amazon campaigns cut through.

Use of AI: You will help develop a point of view on when and where generative AI tools can help (as well as where they clearly won’t) within the strategy process.

Ad-hoc strategic advice: As well as working on campaigns throughout the year, the Strategy team are the client’s key source of advice on longe term topics including annual planning, budget setting, recommendations on advertising sufficiency, advice on topics including attention, measurement, application of data in campaigns. The range of topics discussed across the year mean there is never a dull moment.

Skills & Experience

Curiosity & provocation: Amazon rely on their agency to bring them fresh, ‘Day One’ thinking, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and constantly bringing fresh knowledge and ideas.

Leadership & collaboration skills: You will run a small team of more junior strategists in London, you will help them develop their skills and confidence. As a large, complex retail account you will also need strong collaboration skills to work with your counterparts in our German strategy team, as well as specialists across client service, measurement and analytics, planning and activation.

Strong communications planning skills : You bring in-depth expertise in the development of integrated upper-funnel communication strategies and have a cross-channel understanding of the media landscape, ideally with experience in (online) retail.

Analytical excellence: Your ability to synthesize heterogeneous data sources and translate them into clear strategic recommendations sets you apart, and you are proficient in using research and planning tools.

Communication skills: You impress with excellent storytelling in English, confidently presenting complex strategic concepts.

Client expertise: With a confident demeanor, you advise clients at a strategic level and develop tailor-made solutions for large, complex brands.

Independent work: Your proactive, flexible and reliable work style enables you to efficiently manage projects and bring them to a successful conclusion, even in an international environment.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including 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 believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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 that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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