VP, Data Strategy

VP, Data Strategy

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

About our Data, Tech and Analytics Division

We’re on a mission to transform marketing by building the fastest, most connected data platform that bridges marketing strategy to scaled activation. We work with agencies and clients to transform the value of data by bringing together technology, data and analytics capabilities. We deliver this through WPP Open, an AI-enabled media and data platform for the next era of advertising. We’re endlessly curious. Our team of analytical thinkers, builders, creators and problem solvers are over 1,000 strong, across 20 markets around the world.

Position Overview

The VP, Data Strategy for the Tesco Account is a pivotal leadership role responsible for architecting and executing the complete data strategy for this critical client. Reporting into the SVP, Data Strategy, you will lead a dedicated team of data strategists and analytics experts and act as a senior strategic counsel to Tesco on all matters related to audience data, technology application, and data-driven insight.

You will be responsible for translating Tesco's business and marketing objectives into sophisticated, actionable data strategies. This involves designing the audience architecture, defining the strategic application of platforms like Open Intelligence and InfoSum, shaping the use of Agentic AI, and ensuring the highest standards of data governance and ethics are upheld.

Working with our wider Data Strategy and Analytics community, you will ensure our data strategy is seamlessly integrated into our broader measurement and data management frameworks, driving market-leading workstreams that set the industry standard.

Responsibilities

Strategic Data Leadership & Client Consultation

• Act as the primary data strategy lead for senior Tesco stakeholders, translating their communication and business challenges into data-driven solutions and compelling strategic narratives.
• Define and own the strategic roadmap for data utilisation, including audience architecture, journey planning, and the integration of paid media with Tesco’s owned channels.
• Generate actionable insights from complex data sets to identify barriers and opportunities, informing strategic planning for Tesco teams.
• Serve as the strategic lead for AdTech and MarTech consultancy, architecting the integration between Tesco-owned technology, WPP platforms, and third-party applications, with a particular focus on Adobe.
• Develop and nurture strong, long-term relationships with Tesco clients, translating complex analytical insights into clear, actionable strategies that align with their business objectives.

Platform & Partnership Maximisation

• Lead the strategic implementation of WPP's proprietary platforms, including standing up Open Intelligence (OI) and a UK Private Data Network (PDN) for Tesco.
• Champion the use of data collaboration, specifically leading the strategy to identify and securely activate Tesco’s first-party data within the InfoSum environment.
• Oversee strategic data partnerships, ensuring their data is fully integrated and leveraged within our platforms to deliver maximum value for the client.
• Define the strategic questions and use cases for Agentic AI, guiding the wider DTA team on what personas and agents need to be built to deliver valuable insights for Tesco.
• Go beyond adoption to drive the evolution of our platforms, pioneering new use cases for Open Intelligence and accelerating the strategic application of InfoSum to solve complex business challenges for Tesco.
• Be a key driver in realising the potential value for Tesco from the newly announced Adobe and WPP Open partnership.

Data Governance, Ethics & Innovation

• Take ultimate ownership of the data governance framework for how all ‘Tesco-owned’ data is used within media activation, ensuring adherence to all data protection processes (e.g., GDPR).
• Lead the data and technology innovation agenda, identifying and testing new data sets and technology solutions to maintain Tesco's position as a forward-thinking advertiser.

Team Leadership & Integration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data strategy and analytics specialists focused on the Tesco account, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and excellence.
• Work in close partnership with other stakeholders to ensure a fully integrated data, tech, and analytics offering for Tesco.
• Oversee the design of predictive audience models and A/B testing frameworks to maximise audience accuracy and marketing effectiveness, in collaboration with the analytics team.
• Allocate resources effectively within the dedicated team to manage workload, meet client demands, and maintain high standards of quality.

Skills and Experience Required

• 10+ years of experience in data strategy, with a significant portion in a leadership capacity within a media agency, consultancy, or client-side marketing organisation, ideally within the retail sector.
• Demonstrable track record of developing and executing sophisticated data strategies that directly influence media planning and drive measurable outcomes for large retail clients.
• Proven expertise in audience architecture, segmentation, and leveraging data to build actionable audience targeting, suppression, and frequency capping rules.
• Deep, practical knowledge of the data and technology ecosystem, including data clean rooms, DMPs/CDPs, and proprietary agency platforms (e.g., WPP's Open).
• Strong strategic understanding of AdTech/MarTech and experience in consulting on technology integration and usage.
• Exceptional client leadership skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and articulate complex data concepts in a clear, compelling manner.
• Expert knowledge of data governance, privacy regulations (especially GDPR), and the ethical considerations of data use in a sensitive retail environment.
• Strategic thinker with an innovative mindset, particularly regarding the application of emerging technologies like Agentic AI to solve marketing challenges.
• Proven experience in leading and developing a high-performing team of data specialists.
• Thorough knowledge of media agency operations and the media planning lifecycle, with a strong understanding of how data strategy drives strategic decision-making in the retail sector.
• Expert storytelling skills, capable of presenting complex data in a clear, concise, and compelling manner to diverse audiences.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in identifying new business opportunities and contributing to revenue growth.
• A proactive, collaborative, and adaptable approach, with the ability to work effectively across multiple teams and stakeholders within a large, complex organisation.

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 locationPlease 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.