Vice President, Client Services

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Mindshare delivers Good Growth for its clients. Reporting to Head — Strategy & Intelligence. In this role, you will own one category completely, provide senior client-facing strategic leadership, and join a team reimagining media strategy with AI, data intelligence and cultural thinking. Goals: in 3 months develop knowledge and relationships; in 6 months independently lead strategic presentations; in 12 months own the strategic agenda for your category and lead major client reviews.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic intelligence agenda for your assigned category - synthesising competitive media activity, consumer behaviour, cultural trends and business dynamics into clear, actionable strategic narratives; Build deep, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders across brand and media, driving strategic discussions that connect media investment to brand equity and business outcomes; Develop and own the media strategy for your category portfolio - grounded in planning rigour, informed by data and connected to the broader business agenda; Maintain a current and nuanced understanding of the competitive media landscape, consumer media behaviour and emerging cultural trends; Build bespoke strategic analyses, deep-dive studies and intelligence frameworks using media data, consumer research tools and secondary sources; Partner with Central planning, data and activation teams to ensure strategic intent is reflected at every stage of the media investment cycle

Requirements

10–14 years of experience in media strategy, with a strong foundation of 3–6 years in core media planning at a leading media agency; Solid grounding in planning mechanics - channel strategy, audience and reach thinking, platform dynamics, ROI frameworks; Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver senior-level strategic recommendations to category heads, marketing directors or equivalent, with confidence and clarity; Strong experience working on large FMCG or consumer brand accounts, with an understanding of how brand strategy, consumer insights and media investment connect to business outcomes; Excellent analytical capability - ability to work across multiple data sources (media, consumer, competitive, business) and synthesise a clear and actionable point of view; Outstanding communication skills - able to simplify complexity, build compelling narratives and present to senior internal and external audiences; A proactive, independent working style - someone who brings the agenda rather than waiting for the brief; Postgraduate degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or a related field; 10+ years of experience with a demonstrated foundation in media planning and a track record of strategic leadership; Experience managing senior client relationships independently

Nice to have

Domain expertise in Beauty & Wellbeing, Home Care, Personal Care or Foods & Nutrition; Experience on the brand or strategy side at an FMCG or digital media/tech company; Familiarity with AI-powered intelligence tools, social listening platforms and emerging media research methodologies; Experience contributing to brand planning, AOP or marketing strategy discussions beyond the media brief; Working knowledge of 1PD strategy, audience intelligence frameworks and data-driven planning approaches

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance; Group retirement plans; Vision insurance; Dental insurance; Significant paid time off; Preferential partner discounts; Employee mental health awareness days; Hybrid working approach with teams in the office around four days a week; Employee resource groups; In-office events