Associate Director, Implementation Planning, UK

wppmedia; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Media in the United Kingdom is seeking an Associate Director Implementational Planning to drive day-to-day cross-channel media planning and activation. You will translate client strategies into detailed implementational plans across all media, ensuring seamless execution and measurable outcomes.

You will collaborate with specialists, manage client relationships, and lead a team to optimise performance using data and advanced testing frameworks.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in media planning across multiple channels.
• Ability to translate brand strategies into detailed tactical plans.
• Strong client management and presentation skills.
• Proven capability to lead and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Line management and development for junior team members.
• Act as primary day-to-day client contact for delivered plans.
• Create integrated roadmaps across channels aligned with brand goals.
• Lead cross-channel optimisation and measurement initiatives.
• Test and implement new tools and AI-driven approaches within campaigns.

Skills

Media planning

Cross-channel activation

Client relationship management

Analytics & data interpretation

AI-driven optimisation

Team mentorship

Proficiency in planning tools

Tools

WPP Open

OASIS framework

Job description

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 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 .

771 - Associate Director Implementational Planning - UK

Role Summary and Impact

As an Implementational Planning Associate 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 with OASIS (objective, audience, strategy, Implementation & scoring) framework within 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, developing and 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 with OASIS framework.
• 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 the DPAM framework.
• Team Collaboration: Foster cross-functional collaboration with Comms Planners, Strategists, and activation specialists, presenting a unified approach aligned with the OASIS framework within 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.
• Expertise in 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 the OASIS framework.
• 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 to leverage performance data for optimisation, including robust media testing frameworks and WPP Open Intelligence.
• Proficiency in 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 collaborati