2383 - Solutions Planning Director - UK

Role Summary 

WPP Media Solutions sits at the heart of WPP’s media, data, technology, and performance ecosystem, bringing together best-in-class planning, activation, data, and commerce capabilities to solve complex client growth challenges. Working across WPP’s agency brands and specialist units, Media Solutions is designed to deliver integrated, future-proofed media strategies that are people-first, privacy-safe, and outcomes-driven.

In 2026, WPP Media Solutions continues to lead the industry in applying AI-enabled planning, advanced measurement, and cross-channel innovation to help brands connect with audiences in meaningful, measurable ways.

Role Overview

As a Solutions Planning Director, you'll be responsible for maximising commercial opportunities and building strategic senior partnerships that unlock new investment. You'll lead a team, champion innovation, and ensure our Media Solutions are integrated seamlessly, driving client growth and maturity. This role is about strategic oversight, commercial acumen, and empowering your team to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead with a Growth Mindset

• Devise and implement long-term strategies to grow, retain, and convert clients, identifying and leveraging "blue sky" investment opportunities.
• Collaborate with agency Managing Partners and Client Leads on annual planning, forecasting, and value incentives to secure long-term revenue.
• Address and resolve broad-scale barriers to Media Solutions spends and competitive share increases across agency groups.

Build Strategic Partnerships

• Establish and maintain senior relationships across comms, planning, and strategy teams at the agency group level.
• Lead cross-team collaboration within Media Solutions to ensure agencies are at the forefront of innovation for clients.
• Surface new solutions, innovation opportunities, and test initiatives with senior group stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and client suitability.

Innovate & Educate

• Work closely with Solutions Development stakeholders to inform innovation and testing, championing strategic business goals and providing agencies with compelling narratives and collateral.
• Organise and host regular education sessions for agency and client partners to foster continuous learning and solution adoption.

Lead & Develop Your Team

• Set a clear vision and strategic direction for your agency patch, defining priorities and expectations for your team at all levels.
• Mentor and develop your direct reports (Associate Director/s), driving excellence through clear goal setting, 1-2-1s, and recognition.
• Cascade business updates from Managing Partner to build a culture of transparency and trust.

Optimise Operations

• Champion process enhancement and embed AI/Automation efficiencies as a core foundation for all workflows, continuously refining and improving ways of working.

Skills and Experience

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:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

Core role competencies:

• Extensive experience in media planning, client leadership, or a related strategic role, ideally within an agency or media solutions environment.
• Proven track record of driving significant commercial growth and managing complex client relationships at a senior level.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for identifying and capitalising on opportunities.
• A growth mindset, always seeking to maximise opportunity and challenge the status quo.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, including measurement frameworks and the application of data strategies.
• A collaborative spirit, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

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 particular 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.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

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