Account Director, Implementation Planning

WPP Media; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Vision and dental insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

WPP Media in Manchester is seeking an Account Director, Implementation Planning to lead day-to-day cross-channel media planning and activation. You will translate client strategies into detailed implementational plans across digital, audio, VOD and AV, ensuring seamless execution and measurable outcomes.

You will collaborate with Strategists, Comms Planners and activation specialists, own client relationships, and drive testing and data-driven optimization within the WPP Open ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in media planning, digital activation, or implementational planning.
• Expertise in cross-channel planning (digital, audio, VOD, AV).
• Ability to translate high-level brand and performance strategies into detailed tactical plans.
• Advanced knowledge of the full media landscape and core media buying platforms.
• Strong understanding of audience insights and advanced analytics for optimisation.
• Proficiency in planning and optimisation tools (including WPP Open) and AI-driven tools.
• Proven ability to build trusted client relationships and manage expectations.
• Highly collaborative and able to foster cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Line Management: Provide direct line management and development for junior team members.
• Client Delivery & Management: Act as primary day-to-day client connection and deliver integrated planning and activation.
• Cross-Channel Planning: Translate strategies into tactical plans across all channels.
• Optimisation & Performance: Lead cross-channel optimisation and testing, refining plans based on data.
• Innovation & Capability: Implement and test new tools and AI-driven tests within campaigns.
• Team Collaboration: Foster collaboration with internal teams and partners.

Skills

Media planning

Cross-channel planning

Data analytics

Client management

Media buying platforms

Audience insights

AI tools

Collaboration

Agile mindset

Tools

WPP Open

Job description

Account Director, Implementation Planning

Manchester, United Kingdom

About WPP Media

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 ourpioneeringagentic 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.

Implementational PlanningAccountDirector

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet,clientsand communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

About WPP 650

Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP650you’llbe part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country.

Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant.You’lltackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do.It’sdemanding – but always rewarding.

This is meaningful work with real-world impact – the kind you can point to with pride.

Role Summary and Impact

As anImplementational PlanningAccount Director, you drive day-to-day excellence in cross-channel media planning and activation. Translating client strategies (from Strategists/Comms Planners) into detailed implementational plans across all media (digital, audio, VOD, AV), you ensure seamless execution and measurable brand/performance outcomes. You collaborate deeply with specialist teams, acting as a key client contact on media performance, aligning withOASIS(objective, audience, strategy, Implementation & scoring)frameworkwithin WPP Open. Responsibilities include cross-channel optimisation, media testing, leveraging WPP Open Intelligence for data, and coordinating PCA insights for future strategies.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Implementational Planning Business Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Line Management:Provide direct line management, mentorship, and development for junior team members.
• Client Delivery & Management:Act as the primary day-to-day client connection, delivering integrated planning and activation,developingand presenting implementational responses, and building strong client and partner relationships.
• Cross-Channel Planning:Collaborate with Strategists and Comms Planners to translate overarching media strategies into detailed tactical plans across all channels, creating integrated roadmaps aligned with brand and performance goals. This process is aligned withOASISframework.
• Optimisation & Performance:Lead cross-channel optimisation, implement advanced measurement (including media testing frameworks), refine plans based on data and audience insights, and coordinate insights for PCAs.
• Innovation & Capability:Implement and test new tools, technologies (e.g., AI-driven optimisation) within client campaigns, utilising WPP Open and WPP Open Intelligence for data opportunities and testing initiatives, all within the context of theDPAM framework.
• Team Collaboration:Foster cross-functional collaboration with Comms Planners, Strategists, and activation specialists, presenting a unified approach aligned with theOASISframeworkwithin the WPP Open ecosystem.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in media planning, digital activation, or implementational planning, managing complex accounts and orchestrating integrated media strategies.
• Expertisein cross-channel planning (digital, audio, VOD, AV), strong data analysis, integrated media testing knowledge, and client relationship management.
• Ability to translate high-level brand and performance strategies, in partnership with Comms Planners and Strategists, into detailed, actionable tactical plans across the entire media mix, directly contributing to wider client media strategy, following theOASISframework.
• Advanced knowledge of the full media landscape and core media buying platforms, with an understanding of how they intersect and integrate.
• Strong understanding of audience insights, advanced analytics, data validation, and the ability toleverageperformance data for optimisation, including robust media testing frameworks and WPP Open Intelligence.
• Proficiencyin planning and optimisation tools (including WPP Open) and integrating AI-driven tools.
• Proven ability to build trusted client relationships, present confidently, and manage expectations.
• Highly collaborative, fostering productive working relationships across internal teams and partners.
• Agile, innovative, and pioneering mindset, focused on continuous improvement, problem-solving, and passion for media testing.

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people.It’swhat 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.

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, andwe’rejust 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 thecutting edgeof marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office eventsshowcasingteam 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 toparticular 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 whenwe'retogether, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection.That'swhywe’veadopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If yourequireaccommodations 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.

Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.