---
title: 'Associate Director, Planning, UK at WPP Media'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-planning-uk-wpp-media-london-wwz5z44db218'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Associate Director, Planning, UK at WPP Media

- **Company:** WPP Media
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-09-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/wppmedia/jobs/5415980008

## Job description

## About WPP Media

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.

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.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

3290 - Associate Director, Planning - UK

## Role Summary and Impact

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.

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.

## Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership

- Own the planning response to briefs from start to finish - setting the bar for what "best in class" looks like on this account.
- 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.
- Lead key media updates across landscape trends, emerging platforms, research, and media owner innovations, keeping the team and client ahead of the curve.
- Champion WPP capabilities and integrated ways of working, embodying the 'Power of &' mindset across media and creative.

Client & Stakeholder Management

- Own and nurture key relationships with brand leads, agency partners, and media owners, building genuine partnerships built on trust and mutual ambition.
- Be a confident, compelling presence in the room - comfortable presenting bold ideas to senior clients, external partners, and internal stakeholders alike.
- Collaborate closely with the Client Director and Client Lead to uncover opportunities for revenue growth, innovation, and expanded ways of working.

Account & Team Operations

- Lead day-to-day account workflow, governance, and ways of working, with support from the Client Director.
- Oversee the implementation and delivery of media activation, managing workflow effectively through activation teams.
- Drive campaign reporting that goes beyond the numbers, ensuring insights are clear, compelling, and actionable.
- Lead post-campaign evaluations (PCAs) with the support of the Planning Manager and Planning Executive.
- Maintain clear oversight of financial account management - billings, reconciliations, accruals, and finance queries, with accuracy and accountability.
- Proactively anticipate and resolve planning challenges before they become problems.

People & Culture

- Coach, inspire, and develop your Planning Manager and Planning Executive through regular 1-2-1s, meaningful feedback, and genuine investment in their growth.
- Raise the account's profile across the agency - producing, submitting, and championing award-worthy work that the team is proud to talk about.
- Support the adoption of agency tools and processes, including WPP Open, across the team.

## Skills and Experience

You're the kind of person who champions and challenges in equal measure - yourself, your team, and your clients. You hold yourself to a high standard, and you bring others up with you.

What you'll bring:

- Significant, relevant media planning experience with deep expertise across ATL and a strong grasp of the full digital landscape.
- A proven track record of delivering standout communications planning, with measurement, effectiveness, and clear objectives always front of mind.
- Sharp client management skills: the ability to build credibility and confidence with both junior and senior stakeholders, with natural gravitas.
- Exceptional presentation skills, both in crafting compelling narratives and delivering them with impact.
- In-depth knowledge and hands-on application of core media planning tools.
- End-to-end planning experience, from initial brief through to PCA - with no part of the process unfamiliar to you.
- A self-starter mentality: curious, proactive, and energised by a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.
- Outstanding attention to detail, with a drive to ensure every output - however big or small - reflects genuine craft and excellence.
- A collaborative, open approach, a great listener who works well across a wide range of teams, disciplines, and personalities.
- Proven ability to juggle multiple workstreams simultaneously, staying cool, flexible, and focused under pressure.

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 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.

#LI-Promoted

Please read our [Privacy Notice](https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

## About WPP Media

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: WPP Media is WPP's global media collective that combines AI, data, and creative to deliver intelligent growth for the world's leading brands.
- **Entity Type**: Division of Public Company (WPP plc – LSE: WPP, NYSE: WPP)
- **Headquarters**: New York, United States
- **Founded**: Not publicly available (parent WPP plc founded 1971; WPP Media formed as a unified media collective in recent years)
- **CEO**: Brian Lesser (CEO, WPP Media)

## Core Business
- **Industry**: Advertising Services, Media Planning & Buying, Marketing Technology
- **Target Customers**: B2B and B2C enterprise brands across all sectors; global clients include major Fortune 500 companies
- **Mission or Purpose Statement**: "Intelligent growth for the AI era" – helping brands harness data, AI, and media to drive measurable outcomes.

## Products & Services
- **Open Media Studio (OMS)**: An end-to-end media delivery platform integrated with WPP Open, enabling scaled creative, production, data, commerce, and personalized media execution. (SaaS/Platform)
- **Open Intelligence**: An AI-enabled data solution that unifies fragmented data across ecosystems into predictive marketing intelligence, supporting privacy-first activation. (Data & Analytics Platform)
- **Data and Technology Consulting**: Consulting services for data strategy, technology architecture, advanced analytics, audience insight, cloud integration, and platform adoption. (Service)
- **Media Management & Delivery**: Expert activation, smart investment, strategic partnerships, and proprietary media solutions powered by AI and advanced analytics for personalized advertising at global scale. (Service)
- **Service and Strategy**: Dedicated teams offering deep sector expertise, creative strategy, and business outcomes aligned with client goals. (Service)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed separately (parent WPP plc market cap approx. £8 billion as of July 2025)
- **Key Metric**: $65 billion in managed media annually (from wppmedia.com)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: WPP is publicly traded; works with hundreds of global brands including many Fortune 500 companies. Key technology partners include major cloud and AI providers.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 40,000+ media experts worldwide
  - 160 offices across 80+ markets
  - 1,600+ active job postings (LinkedIn, July 2025) with +8.7% monthly job growth
  - Strong investment in AI-first capabilities and privacy-forward data unification

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale**: One of the largest media buying organizations globally, managing $65B in media.
- **AI Integration**: End-to-end platform (OMS + Open Intelligence) deeply embedded with AI for predictive analytics, automation, and personalization.
- **Integrated Ecosystem**: Unique ability to unify media, data, creative, production, and commerce under one roof.
- **Global Reach**: 40k+ experts in 80+ markets providing local insights with global execution.
- **WPP Network**: Access to 100,000+ experts across WPP's integrated agency network.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI-Driven Growth**: Embedding AI across all capabilities to deliver smarter, faster, more measurable outcomes.
- **Privacy-First Data Unification**: Building Open Intelligence as a secure, cross-ecosystem data platform that respects consumer privacy.
- **Talent Development**: Investing in AI-enabled learning frameworks and internal mobility to future-proof skills.
- **Sustainability & Inclusion**: Part of WPP's broader commitment to building better futures for people, planet, clients, and communities.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as open, optimistic, and extraordinary – with emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and challenging the status quo.
- **Growth**: AI-enabled learning framework, cross-team mobility across WPP’s global network of 100k+ experts.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/office-based roles across 160 offices; global opportunities in 80+ markets.
- **Perks**: Competitive compensation, performance-based rewards, access to cutting-edge AI tools, and work with leading global brands.
- **Team**: Join a collective of 40k+ media experts, data scientists, technologists, and creatives.

## Sources
1. [wppmedia.com](https://www.wppmedia.com/)
2. [WPP Media Company Info](https://www.wppmedia.com/company-info)
3. [WPP Media Careers](https://www.wppmedia.com/careers)
4. [WPP Media – What We Do](https://www.wppmedia.com/what-we-do)
5. [WPP Media LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpp-media)
6. [WPP Media Greenhouse Careers](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/wppmedia)

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