Associate Director, Media Planning

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.

About the Role

WPP Media is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Media Planning to lead integrated media strategy and campaign execution across a portfolio of high-profile client account. This role is responsible for developing holistic media plans, delivering strategic recommendations, overseeing campaign performance, and fostering strong client and partner relationships.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, strong media expertise, exceptional project management skills, and leadership capabilities to ensure successful campaign outcomes while mentoring and developing high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Media Planning & Client Leadership

• Partner with senior leadership to develop integrated media strategies that align with client business objectives and communications goals.
• Contribute to the creation of holistic media plans across traditional and digital channels.
• Translate audience insights, research findings, first-party data, syndicated tools, and marketplace intelligence into actionable media recommendations.
• Provide a strong point of view on media strategy, investment decisions, and campaign optimization opportunities.
• Ensure all planning recommendations are grounded in audience behaviour, media consumption trends, and business objectives.

Campaign Management & Execution

• Lead end-to-end campaign planning and execution across multiple concurrent campaigns.
• Oversee plan development, trafficking readiness, activation handoffs, and post-campaign reporting.
• Manage timelines and workflows to ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Review media plans and campaign documentation to ensure quality, accuracy, and strategic integrity.
• Communicate campaign updates, changes, risks, and opportunities proactively to clients and internal stakeholders.

Performance Analysis & Optimization

• Collaborate with Analytics and Activation teams to monitor campaign performance and business outcomes.
• Evaluate campaign effectiveness against KPIs and strategic objectives.
• Develop actionable insights and optimization recommendations based on performance data.
• Present campaign learnings and strategic recommendations to clients and leadership teams.

Client & Industry Partnerships

• Build and maintain trusted client relationships through strategic counsel, responsiveness, and industry expertise.
• Lead day-to-day client communications and support senior client presentations.
• Develop strong relationships with media owners, technology partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Negotiate effectively with media partners to deliver client value and business results.
• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging platforms, consumer behaviour shifts, and competitive activity.

Leadership & Team Development

• Act as a mentor and role model for planning team members.
• Manage, coach, and develop planners, supporting both technical and professional growth.
• Ensure appropriate delegation of work and balanced team workload management.
• Provide guidance, feedback, and support to drive team performance and career development.
• Support business continuity by providing leadership coverage during absences or periods of organizational change.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain best practices, processes, and planning standards.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of media planning experience within an agency environment.
• Strong expertise across integrated media channels, including traditional and digital media.
• Proven experience leading client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of audience research tools, syndicated research, media measurement, and performance analytics.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience managing and developing team members.
• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence decisions through strategic thinking and data-driven recommendations.

What Success Looks Like

• Delivery of innovative, insight-driven media strategies that achieve client objectives.
• Effective management of complex campaigns from planning through reporting.
• Strong client satisfaction and long-term relationship growth.
• Development of high-performing teams and consistent planning excellence.
• Continuous identification of new opportunities, trends, and best practices that drive client success.

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 that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.

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