Transformation Data Architect

About Us

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its innovative marketing specialist companies Kinesso, Magna, Orion, Rapport and Mediabrands Content Studio. Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in more than 130 countries representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website: www.ipgmediabrands.com. 

Role Description

The pace of change in the IPG landscape is accelerating and we need to accelerate our transformation to exceed our clients’, colleagues’ and wider stakeholders’ needs. An ambitious agenda is being devised, driven through a UK focus on “local vitality” and a broader global-IPG aspiration to drive standardisation, automation and excellence across the shared activities we do. 

You will be working with the UK Transformation Team, and broader UK Leadership, to: 

• Shape, design, deploy and manage UK Mediabrands data architecture and data management approaches, in conjunction with emerging global direction. 

• Support UK transformation programmes / projects, and ensure they tie into, and move the dial on, the UK data strategy and architecture. This will include contributing to and influencing key strategic programmes / projects requirements and design and playing a leading role in UK design forums and working groups.

• Support the UK Media System Director, including proactively guiding and assessing impact of any systems decisions on the UK data strategy and architecture. 

Our ideal candidate will be able to think strategically but where possible, drive day to day activity through their relationships within the organisation. They will need to think creatively about how to bring structure and land and drive adoption through our people and have a relentless focus on assigning ownership and measuring effectiveness with our clients and teams, with a view to “doubling down” or changing course as required. They will be able articulate, in simple terms, our approach to data, and ultimately ensure that data is easily accessible, reliable, and secure, supporting the Mediabrands’ data needs, innovation goals and strategic objectives. 

A sound grasp of data architecture is the “must”, but the ability to flex and apply these techniques in a way that works for Mediabrands and the agencies within will be key. Success in this role will be able to unlock data as an enabler to our business and our client, driving the understanding of its importance and the role we all need to play in making it happen. 

Furthermore, thinking about how we manage data end to end across our UK media business, in conjunction with our changing systems landscape, and all in service of our strategic goals, will be fundamental. 

You will be a key figure in the central UK Transformation team, where your ability to input into the broader Transformation activity will be sought and valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, deploy and govern the Mediabrands data architecture and data management approaches for the UK in conjunction with global direction - with an initial focus on planning, buying, billing and finance data.

• Create and own key deliverables (including, but not limited to:

• Data architecture models 

• Data policies and standards 

• Data dictionaries/taxonomies 

• Data lifecycle management approach 

• Data governance approach (forums, ownership, measurement, reporting) 

• Works closely with the Media System Director, including proactively influencing and assessing impact of any systems decisions made on our data architecture and approach 

• Establishes data governance / ownership frameworks to ensure data quality and compliance to standards

Desired Skills & Experience

• Expertise in developing and embedding data architecture, integrations and management approaches for programmes and projects within large, complex organisations 

• Ability to drive data ownership into distributed teams, in a collaborative, supportive manner 

• Excellent data modelling, analytical and problem-solving skills

• Expertise in data management approaches (data policies and standards, data dictionaries/taxonomies, data lifecycle management, and data governance) 

• An understanding of the Media Agency data domain – traditional and digital 

• Ability to think strategically, ensuring that end-to-end process and systems thinking is considered/incorporated 

• Experience in a Media Agency or an equivalent complex, multifaceted and fast-paced organisation 

• Flexible and adaptable; able to manage ambiguity and uncertainty

• Excellent communication skills and collaborative working style; able to adapt communication and engagement styles according to the audience

• Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal 

• Organized with a natural inclination for planning strategy and tactics

Key stakeholders

• Agency Teams

• Media Operations

• Finance, HR and IT

• Global Capability Centre (GCC)

• IPG Mediabrands Global

• UK Transformation Programme/Project Team

Employee Transparency

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at [email protected] if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as a minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times) 
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay 
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!