Senior Director, NA Data Partnerships Lead

Why we're hiring:

WPP’s Data & Technology Solutions is the WPP’s unified global data products and technology team. We work with our agencies and clients to build data-driven solutions and technology product to power marketing transformation.

WPP Open is our AI platform for marketing, it connects marketing professionals, data, tools and AI in a single place. WPP Open is the simplest, safest and fastest way to realize the benefits of scaled AI – delivering better-informed creative ideas faster, at scale and at lower cost.

We’re endlessly curious and our team of thinkers, builders, creators and problem solvers are over 2,000 strong, across 20 markets around the world.

We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven leader to define and execute WPP’s data partnership strategy within North America. This role will be critical in sourcing, integrating, and scaling data partnerships to support local market growth while aligning to global frameworks.

You are:

• A data or technology leader with strong experience in partnerships, licensing, or platform ecosystems
• Commercially minded, with experience negotiating and managing strategic partnerships
• Skilled at navigating complex, cross-functional environments and influencing senior stakeholders
• Experienced in aligning global strategy with local market needs
• A strong operator, able to drive both strategic initiatives and execution
• Collaborative, driven, and comfortable operating in ambiguity

What you'll be doing:

• Local Data Partnership Strategy and Market Leadership: Define and execute the data partnership strategy for North America under a “Build, Buy, Partner” framework. By aligning global priorities with local needs, you will position WPP as a leading data partner in the market.
• Data Supply Strategy and Ecosystem Development: Provide strategic oversight of all data supply partnerships, anticipating future data and technology needs. By proactively shaping the ecosystem, you will ensure WPP Open maintains a competitive advantage locally.
• Partnership Identification and Commercial Execution: Lead the identification, negotiation and implementation of strategic data and technology partnerships. By structuring effective agreements, you will enable scalable solutions and commercial impact.
• Contract Standardization and Governance: Drive contract standardization and ensure legal and operational alignment across all data partnerships. By improving consistency and efficiency, you will reduce complexity and risk.
• Product Integration and Data Adoption: Oversee integration of partner solutions into the WPP Open ecosystem and drive adoption of data products across clients and teams. By ensuring seamless delivery, you will unlock value and accelerate usage.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Alignment: Build strong relationships across Legal, Product, Sales, Data Strategy, Solutions Engineering, Business Operations and Open Intelligence teams. By aligning stakeholders, you will enable coordinated execution and success.
• Client Alignment and Market Feedback: Leverage feedback loops with data solutions and client teams to ensure partnerships align with client needs and market demand. By staying closely connected to the market, you will drive relevant and impactful solutions.
• Performance Management and Operational Excellence: Own key performance indicators including cost efficiency, adoption, revenue impact and partnership pipeline quality. By driving accountability, you will ensure measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

What you'll need:

• Significant experience in data partnerships, licensing, or data-driven platform ecosystems
• Proven track record of identifying, negotiating and scaling strategic partnerships
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing complex agreements
• Experience working across cross-functional teams in matrixed organizations
• Ability to align global strategy with local market execution
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Driven, collaborative, and comfortable working in both structured and ambiguous environments

Who you are: