Associate Director, Planning, UK

About the role

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>About WPP Media</strong></p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="wppmedia.com">wppmedia.com</a>.</p></div><p><strong>3290 - Associate Director, Planning - UK</strong></p> <p><strong>Role Summary and Impact</strong></p> <p>This is a rare opportunity to take genuine ownership of communications planning for a well-established brand with an ambitious, collaborative client marketing team. Whether you're already operating at Director level or a high-performing Planning Manager ready to make that leap, this role will put you at the heart of shaping innovative, insight-led media strategies that genuinely move the needle.</p> <p>We're looking for someone who brings both strategic firepower and hands-on energy - someone who lights up when presented with a complex brief, who builds trust with clients and partners effortlessly, and who makes the people around them better. If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you.</p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong><strong>Strategic Leadership</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own the planning response to briefs from start to finish - setting the bar for what "best in class" looks like on this account.</li> <li>Build a deep, nuanced understanding of the client's brand, category, competitive landscape, and business challenges, becoming a true strategic partner, not just a supplier.</li> <li>Lead key media updates across landscape trends, emerging platforms, research, and media owner innovations, keeping the team and client ahead of the curve.</li> <li>Champion WPP capabilities and integrated ways of working, embodying the 'Power of &amp;' mindset across media and creative.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Client &amp; Stakeholder Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own and nurture key relationships with brand leads, agency partners, and media owners, building genuine partnerships built on trust and mutual ambition.</li> <li>Be a confident, compelling presence in the room - comfortable presenting bold ideas to senior clients, external partners, and internal stakeholders alike.</li> <li>Collaborate closely with the Client Director and Client Lead to uncover opportunities for revenue growth, innovation, and expanded ways of working.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Account &amp; Team Operations</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead day-to-day account workflow, governance, and ways of working, with support from the Client Director.</li> <li>Oversee the implementation and delivery of media activation, managing workflow effectively through activation teams.</li> <li>Drive campaign reporting that goes beyond the numbers, ensuring insights are clear, compelling, and actionable.</li> <li>Lead post-campaign evaluations (PCAs) with the support of the Planning Manager and Planning Executive.</li> <li>Maintain clear oversight of financial account management - billings, reconciliations, accruals, and finance queries, with accuracy and accountability.</li> <li>Proactively anticipate and resolve planning challenges before they become problems.</li> </ul> <p><strong>People &amp; Culture</strong></p> <ul> <li>Coach, inspire, and develop your Planning Manager and Planning Executive through regular 1-2-1s, meaningful feedback, and genuine investment in their growth.</li> <li>Raise the account's profile across the agency - producing, submitting, and championing award-worthy work that the team is proud to talk about.</li

Skills