Director, Planning

2471 - Director, Planning - UK

Role Summary and Impact

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry leading, unrivalled work at Wavemaker. We are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brand.

Wavemaker UK is looking for a Director, Planning  to join our growing planning team, to drive forward our planning output and help to create amazing work for our clients.

In this role, you will:

Media Planning Craft:

• Lead the Wavemaker planning output on your specific client to create unrivalled work.
• Be able to articulate the strategic approach into media behaviours and train and support the wider team.
• Need strategic thinking on how we utilise tools and specialism outside of planning on response i.e. sources of growth, measurement, learning agenda, data, etc
• Build presence outside of current teams and drive visibility of planning team within the wider agency.
• Bring a fresh perspective to planning approaches including the use of different tools, new insights and coach others to challenge the status quo.

Effective communication:

• Overall responsibility for the development of all planning responses, ensuring we are developing unrivalled work in all executions.
• Manage senior client relationships, understanding what they need for their business and how to drive growth for them.
• Manage the planning team ensuring the have clear personal objectives, structure and regular reviews.

Idea creation and storytelling:

• Build and develop relationship with media owners and look for opportunities to create unrivalled work
• Have an advanced commercial understanding of Wavemakers products and services. Understanding which are suitable for their clients and how sell in solutions.
• Be a story telling expert, driving added value with the team and quality boosting output.

Skills and Experience

Practice Area Knowledge – Advanced- Demonstrates advanced understanding of the industry as well as future trends Serves as an internal consultant/expert on at least some tools and technology.

Effectively guides junior team members on advanced elements.

Works with leadership team to develop new solutions and/or spot new applications

Problem Solving – Advanced - Performs complex analyses of a range of information and identifies issues before they become problems; helps others think about how to define or redefine complex problems. Supports business leaders to find solutions and evaluates others’ solutions to determine the best way forward. Understand how to resolve escalated issues and coaches others to problem solve. Manages escalations.

Stakeholder Management – Advanced - Capitalizes on deep understanding of (current or potential) client and agency organizational structures, business processes, strategic objectives and challenges in order to anticipate and meet their needs. Demonstrates expert knowledge and monitors the client’s industry and competitive environment in order to create effective solutions. Advises key stakeholders by continuously helping them to successfully navigate through critical business changes.​​​​​​​ Uses strong deep expertise and contextual awareness to explore complex issues with stakeholders and provide trusted advice, deliverables and campaign KPIs.

Effective Communication – Advanced - Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact. Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority, appropriately judging the demands of the situation. Creatively develops presentations and comms to help with the understanding/education of complex information. Guides others on the best practices and approaches for creating clear, concise and organized communication materials to convey plans in a user-friendly way.

Campaign Management – Expert - Sets the standard for accuracy and thoroughness so that sufficiently detailed information is logged correctly.  Balances short-term considerations with long-term goals and ensures that critical deliverables are met.  Manages multiple overlapping timelines and competing demands, weighing the needs of different stakeholders across the business to determine priorities for parallel projects and sets priorities according to business needs.

Compelling storytelling – Advanced - Lead and direct the creation of a story, taking into account client knowledge levels and needs. Applies deep expertise and sound judgement to persuade key decision makers on recommendation, considering all implications. Designs differentiated communications (content focus, style, presentation, etc.) for various internal and external audiences.

Ideas Creation – Expert - Develops strategies to bring new technologies, innovations and products to life.  Challenges the client and team in innovating and designing new solutions, methods and products to remain competitive and lead the industry.

Comms Planning – Advanced - High technical knowledge of all media touchpoints as well as how they interplay and future trends.  Serves as a consultant and quality controls plans, strategies and frameworks that leave the building.  Strategic learnings and insights about business impact (not just media metrics).  Development of directional media strategy/platform.  Developing comms planning skills amongst wider community.  Looks for alternative solutions to problems and constantly challenges received norms in a spirit of positive provocation.

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

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

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

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