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Associate Director, Planning

1/12/2026

The Associate Director, Planning will lead the account project management for the entire business, ensuring deadlines are met across all campaigns. They will act as a key liaison among various business units contributing to the overall media plan development process.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

10,001+ employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

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

About the Role

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  At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:  <ul> <li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="2">Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity. </li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="2">Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust. </li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="2">Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise. </li> </ul> About Mindshare:  Mindshare delivers Good Growth for its clients. As “Growth Architects," we drive growth that benefits all stakeholders — better for people, planet, and business — by using media with intention. This approach creates more meaningful connections with consumers, increases consumer trust in the brand, and delivers better outcomes for all stakeholders.  3 best things about the job: <ol> <li>Utilize an in-depth knowledge on client category, brands and specific client requests and needs to provide appropriate input and direction to the agency units driving the entire value exchange process</li> <li>Lead account ‘project manager’ for the entire business accountable for achieving deadlines across all campaigns and deliverables</li> <li>Act as key liaison accountable for the entire work product (for assigned client brands) among each business unit (Business Planning, Invention and Exchange) that contribute to the overall media plan development process both internal and external</li> </ol> In this role, your goals will be: In three months: <ul> <li>Started to build relationships with the key decision makers within the client and agency organisations</li> </ul> In six months: <ul> <li>Proven yourself as a reliable point of contact for client stakeholders</li> </ul> In 12 months: <ul> <li>To anticipate what is needed to stay on track to secure, grow and solidifying client relations, and to take actions appropriated.</li> </ul> What you’ll bring: <ul> <li>Demonstrates a deep understanding of the of different marketing channels including different roles, advantages, formats, potential partnerships, distribution</li> <li>Quickly builds strong relationships with marketing channel owners and leverages these relationships to deliver the best outcomes for Mindshare and our clients</li> <li>Demonstrates a high degree of numeracy and IT literacy in order to monitor and manipulate data to deliver the best outcomes for the business, e.g. forecasting, delivery against plan, conforming to share deals</li> <li>Understand the implications for the business and communicates potential impact to clients and the Mindshare team</li> <li>Filters and adapts the different options and applies good judgement combined with hard facts to select which ideas will produce the best results</li> <li>Understands what the client's business needs by understanding the history of the brand and what the client wants it to stand for.  Understands the client's strategic intent and the implications for building the client's business</li> <li>Communicates information and decisions with the full range of stakeholders involved in a project</li> <li>Supports the development of others by expressing positive expectations towards their initiatives and giving constructive feedback</li> </ul> Minimum qualifications: <ul> <li>Under graduate degree in communication or media or business management (Post-graduate/masters preferred)</li> <li>At least 7 years in media planning experience or related field required</li> <li>Knowledgeable about and experienced with the concepts, approaches and issues involved in tactical media planning</li> <li>Familiar with the timelines, processes and needs of the implementation of all media</li> <li>Knowledgeable about new approaches to and developments in tactical planning</li> <li>Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving</li> <li>Ability to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure</li> <li>Ability to make decisions and use critical thinking</li> <li>Knowledge and use of various research systems</li> </ul> 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 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.  <div class="content-conclusion"> Please read our <a href="https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment">Privacy Notice</a> for more information on how we process the information you provide. </div>

Key Skills

Media PlanningMarketing ChannelsData AnalysisClient RelationsProject ManagementCritical ThinkingProblem SolvingCommunicationTeam CollaborationForecastingTactical PlanningResearch SystemsRelationship BuildingJudgmentBusiness StrategyTrust Cultivation