Senior Manager - Planning

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Manager - Planning will manage the media planning team and work on integrated marketing plans covering digital, traditional, media intelligence, reporting etc. You must have a comprehensive experience on digital and its application to client’s business. You are also expected to maintain and build good relationship with internal and external teams to facilitate daily operation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Leadership & Client Management:
   • Act as the lead strategic partner to senior client stakeholders, translating complex business objectives into innovative and effective media strategies.
   • Oversee the strategic direction and quality control of all planning outputs for assigned brands, ensuring alignment with client goals and commercial targets.
   • Lead high-level client discussions, presenting strategic recommendations, performance reviews, and market insights with a strong commercial perspective.
   • Proactively identify client growth opportunities and develop proposals for integrated media solutions that drive business value.
2. Team & Talent Development:
   • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Managers and Planners, fostering strategic thinking, operational excellence, and professional growth.
   • Set clear goals and objectives for the team, monitoring performance and providing regular feedback and coaching.
   • Actively participate in the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of top planning talent.
   • Champion knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the team, keeping them abreast of industry trends, tools, and best practices.
3. Commercial Acumen & Business Performance:
   • Drive commercial success of client accounts by identifying strategic opportunities for investment, optimization, and innovation.
   • Understand and contribute to the P&L of client accounts, ensuring media strategies are cost-effective and deliver strong ROI.
   • Oversee annual and monthly budget allocations, ensuring strategic alignment and optimal media investment.
   • Utilize advanced analytics and commercial insights to develop data-driven recommendations that impact client business objectives beyond media metrics.
4. Operational Excellence & Innovation:
   • Evaluate, refine, and implement improvements to planning guidelines, processes, and tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and strategic output.
   • Collaborate with specialist teams to ensure seamless, integrated, and holistic campaign delivery.
   • Drive the adoption of new media technologies, platforms, and innovative solutions that address client business needs and market challenges.
   • Ensure the consistent delivery of accurate, timely, and commercially insightful reports and analyses.

In three months:

• Established strong working relationships with key senior clients, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic lead across your assigned brands.
• Successfully onboarded and integrated into the leadership structure of the planning team, contributing to ongoing strategic initiatives.
• Identified initial opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains within the planning workflow and team operations.
• Gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial objectives and market challenges of your key accounts, translating them into strategic planning considerations.

In six months:

• Led the development and presentation of high-impact planning strategies that demonstrably address complex client business challenges and commercial goals.
• Implemented initial team development plans, providing mentorship and performance feedback to Planners and Managers under your guidance.
  
• Contributed to new business development efforts by crafting compelling strategic responses and participating in pitches.
  
• Demonstrated clear commercial acumen by linking media strategies to measurable business outcomes and advising clients on investment optimization.

In 12 months:

• Delivered tangible commercial results for clients, evidenced by achieving or exceeding business KPIs and contributing to client revenue growth.
• Cultivated a high-performing and motivated planning team, fostering an environment of continuous learning, strategic excellence, and career progression.
• Championed and implemented significant improvements to planning guidelines and processes, enhancing overall department efficiency and output quality.