Associate Director, Planning

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com .

3713 - Associate Director, Planning - UK

Role Summary and Impact

We are looking for a brilliant Associate Director to join our team.

You will help drive forward ambitious, insight-led media planning across the account. You will play a key role in shaping clear, effective strategies grounded in audience understanding, cultural relevance, and performance, ensuring work is both commercially strong and creatively exciting. This is a high-profile, dynamic account with significant momentum.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the account, ensuring flow and accuracy of work – ensure the campaign management process follows best practice, you are across all communications and establish yourself as the first port of call for clients.
• Build a strong relationship with your clients and become a trusted strategic partner – showing a deep understanding of your clients’ business and how communications can drive growth.
• Be a confident and competent communications planner who demonstrates a thorough understanding of our Systems Planning approach, while leading our planning responses from start to finish, ensuring we have a seamless working process with the implementational and specialist teams
• Grow your understanding of digital, data, and marketing technology - work closely with the Digital Implementation team to ensure growth and innovation is weaved into our planning.
• Strong understanding of your clients’ business & KPIs and how we are remunerated across the account
• Contribute to the commercial targets set for your business group by proactively identifying and pursuing additional services opportunities on your clients.
• Promote your team’s brilliant work, both within WPP Media and beyond.
• Actively participate in and contribute to agency wide initiatives (i.e., huddles, stretches, pitches, etc).

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will bring strong planning credentials, excellent client and team management skills, and a confident understanding of how to plan and optimise across multiple channels to deliver impact. You will be energised by pushing the account forward and passionate about delivering best-in-class work on one of the most exciting portfolios in the industry.

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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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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