Solutions Planning Director

WPP Media Solutions sits at the heart of WPP’s media, data, technology, and performance ecosystem, bringing together best-in-class planning, activation, data, and commerce capabilities to solve complex client growth challenges. As a Solutions Planning Director, you'll be responsible for maximising commercial opportunities and building strategic senior partnerships that unlock new investment. You'll lead a team, champion innovation, and ensure our Media Solutions are integrated seamlessly, driving client growth and maturity.

Responsibilities

Devise and implement long-term strategies to grow, retain, and convert clients, identifying and leveraging 'blue sky' investment opportunities; Collaborate with agency Managing Partners and Client Leads on annual planning, forecasting, and value incentives to secure long-term revenue; Address and resolve broad-scale barriers to Media Solutions spends and competitive share increases across agency groups; Establish and maintain senior relationships across comms, planning, and strategy teams at the agency group level; Lead cross-team collaboration within Media Solutions to ensure agencies are at the forefront of innovation for clients; Surface new solutions, innovation opportunities, and test initiatives with senior group stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and client suitability; Work closely with Solutions Development stakeholders to inform innovation and testing, championing strategic business goals and providing agencies with compelling narratives and collateral; Organise and host regular education sessions for agency and client partners to foster continuous learning and solution adoption; Set a clear vision and strategic direction for your agency patch, defining priorities and expectations for your team at all levels; Mentor and develop your direct reports (Associate Director/s), driving excellence through clear goal setting, 1-2-1s, and recognition; Cascade business updates from Managing Partner to build a culture of transparency and trust; Champion process enhancement and embed AI/Automation efficiencies as a core foundation for all workflows, continuously refining and improving ways of working

Requirements

Extensive experience in media planning, client leadership, or a related strategic role; Proven track record of driving significant commercial growth and managing complex client relationships at a senior level; Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for identifying and capitalising on opportunities; A growth mindset, always seeking to maximise opportunity and challenge the status quo; Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing and developing high-performing teams; Deep understanding of the media landscape, including measurement frameworks and the application of data strategies; A collaborative spirit, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders; Embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values: Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity; Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust; Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise; Right to work in the UK

Nice to have

Experience within an agency or media solutions environment

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance; Group retirement plans; Vision insurance; Dental insurance; Significant paid time off; Preferential partner discounts; Employee mental health awareness days; Access to global WPP Media & WPP networks; Employee resource groups; Frequent in-office events