Planning Director

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

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision‑making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

The planning team are the guardians of creating industry leading, unrivalled work  are central conduits to all specialists, striving to push boundaries and have a positive impact on consumers and brand. Wavemaker UK is looking for a Planning Director to join our growing planning team, to drive planning across specific clients and be a media planning expert.

• Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems and planning best practices.
• Start to translate strategic approach into planning practices for specific client briefs and pitches.
• Have an advanced understanding of Wavemakers’ Purchase Journey thinking and planning philosophy across all client work, including being an expert in a broad set of internal tools and external tools to build a deep understanding of the consumer, the client’s business and its specific opportunities.
• Have an expert overview of the media market landscape, trends and start to build media owner relationships.

• Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard.
• Develop a skilled understanding of commercial practises and of the wider agency.
• Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid‑senior level, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders and client business.

• Own planning presentations including defining the inputs needed and working with the wider teams to compile work and meet deadlines.
• Lead brainstorm and idea creation for campaigns.
• Start to independently problem solve, including integrating and questioning data and insights and find solutions based on knowledge and experience.

• 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.

Practice Area Knowledge – Skilled – Develops breadth and depth of industry understanding. Becomes confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems and is able to train others.

Comfortable presenting both direct from platform (OS, Architect etc) and developing a story from data but delivered outside of platform (Telmar etc).

Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions to use.

Problem Solving – Skilled – Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analyzing information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem and wider impact. Quickly generates appropriate solutions informed by previous experience. Understands how to resolve escalated issues and supports others to problem solve. Supports or leads troubleshooting communication for issues.

Stakeholder Relationships – Skilled – Has an expert knowledge of client and agency structures. Can identify key decision makers and understands their perspectives which is used to build relationships. Has strong knowledge of the client sector/industry which is shared to build strategies and plans. Identifies strategic issues and raises questions to help stakeholders explore and understand their wider business challenges. Can easily suggest business solutions to match client/stakeholder needs and achieve objectives.

Effective Communication – Advanced – Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact. Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority, appropriately judging the demands of the…