Director of Architecture, AI & Product (Contract Opportunity)

Why we're hiring:

WPP is embarking on a major 3-year Transformation to simplify, modernise, and unify its technology platforms across the group. This change is critical to: 

• Enable cost-effective transformation and operational efficiency 

• Accelerate adoption of AI, data, and digital platforms 

• Ensure consistent delivery of value and benefits across all agencies and markets 

• Minimise disruption and maximise engagement during large-scale change 

A dedicated Director of Architecture, AI and Product is needed to orchestrate the people side of this transformation, ensuring that new ways of working are adopted, benefits are realised, and change fatigue is minimised. 

What you'll be doing:

• Strategic Functional Leadership: Establish and implement the short- to mid-term (1-3 year) strategy for the newly formed Product, Architecture and AI function. Control all activities and outcomes for the Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, Global Product Ownership, AI CoE and, Business Analysis teams, integrating them into a single, cohesive delivery function.  

• Transformation & Integration: Drive the organisational transformation for your function by breaking down legacy silos and unifying disparate teams. Establish the common processes and governance required to create a scalable and efficient architectural capability for the enterprise.  

• Architectural Governance: Define and enforce the enterprise-wide architectural frameworks, standards, and patterns that will govern technology delivery. Ensure that all solutions are coherent, future-proof, and balance business requirements with practicality and cost.  

• Stakeholder Partnership & Influence: Act as a primary partner to the leaders of Domain Support, Strategy & Transformation, Engineering, and Service Delivery, ensuring architectural strategy is fully integrated with their delivery needs. Provide strategic counsel to the CIO and executive leadership, translating complex architectural concepts into clear business implications to guide strategic technology decisions.  

• Innovation & Capability Development: Lead the function in identifying and solving key business challenges through architectural innovation. Build and develop underdeveloped capabilities, particularly in modern enterprise architecture and AI, to support the organisation's strategic priorities.  

• People Management: Ensure the teams have the right skills and capabilities to deliver. Provide line-management support, including oversight of talent management and development activities.  

What you'll need: