Associate Director - Planning

3980 - Associate Director, Planning, UK 

Role Summary and Impact

About WPP 650                     

Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country.

Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant. You’ll tackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do. It’s demanding – but always rewarding.

WPP 650 is a bespoke agency unit within WPP, dedicated to serving the evolving communications needs of government clients. We bring together the best of WPP's talent, technology, and insights to deliver impactful, modern, and effective public communications. We are at the forefront of reimagining how government engages with its citizens.

This is meaningful work with real-world impact – the kind you can point to with pride.

Overview of role 

WPP has a vision of world-class communications, and since recently we have been moving to a combined agency model including Media, Creative, PR, Data & CRM agency partners to build a team from the best people in the industry to work in partnership with our clients.  This is a huge opportunity to be part of an industry changing dynamic that makes a genuine difference through communications. Joining the team will give the person who takes this role a real opportunity to champion digital as a key driver to the success of this new model.

Based in our new WPP campus building in the heart of Manchester’s development district, the largest communications operation outside of London and the home for all WPP regional talent across a number of business disciplines, and an amazing place to grow your communications career and to realise your potential in a dynamic and exciting setting.

Reporting of the role

You will report into the Director, Clients

3 best things about the job

1. Exciting brands with unlimited possibilities and a broad scope for ideas.
2. A truly diverse community feel to the team, the client, and the work we do.
3. Pivotal responsibility in planning and managing all media lines across offline and online.

Measures of success

In three months, you would have:

• Onboarded fully on to the accounts and met all the key stakeholders.
• Fully understanding the processes across the account and key outputs
• Built strong relationships with Media team and local senior clients.
• Worked closely with the BD to review ways of working processes and develop client growth plans
• Taken on responsibility of managing the quality of the work that is taken to the client and ensuring all reporting and finance processes and timings are adhered to.
• Motivating our internal teams to produce great work.

In six months, you would have:

• Become the ‘go to’ for senior clients. Become their trusted point person.
• Managed and delivered annual planning across the account.
• Managed the development of exceptional, award-winning planning work.
• Recognised as a go-to source of energy and insight in the team.
• Delivered several responses, with data and evidence led insights, ambitious innovation opportunities to push things forward.
• Spotted a commercial opportunity for us to do things better, that would benefit the client and the business.
• Managed and developed your team, ensuring they are performing at their full potential and looking out for their wellbeing.
• Agreed objectives with your BD to ensure constant progression.
• Contributed to WPP 650 culture in the team – great planners with clear goals, objectives, and development plans.
• Got involved in wider business unit workstreams.

In 12 months, you would have:

• Become a key stakeholder in your clients’ business. Leading and executing their vision.
• Developed the client business and contributed to its growth.

Responsibilities of the role

• Lead the business working with key stakeholders across the WPP Media network
• Develop talent
• Lead RTBs
• Build strong client relationships
• Seeking new revenue workstreams to grow the account
• Manage a reporting and financial processes

What you will need

• To be a true team player where you enjoy building relationships with clients and our colleagues around the world
• Knowledge of all media and experience of end to end planning
• A digital first approach to planning with a fast-growing tech company
• Positive attitude and willingness to develop talent
• A motivational leader

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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 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.

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.

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

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