Data Planning Director

Wundermanthompson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

VML seeks a Data Planning Director to be a trusted partner for clients, connecting data, analytics and AI across VML and WPP. You will lead a cross‑functional team, drive data strategy and deliver measurable outcomes across media, CX, CRM and more.

The role requires Gravitas, collaboration, and the ability to unite diverse skill sets behind a single brief, with a hybrid working model in London and global opportunities.

Qualifications

• Exceptional experience leading across data and analytics in a consulting/agency environment.
• Ability to set up teams and operating models with clients.
• Proven track record in data-driven marketing and AI applications.

Responsibilities

• Direct a team of data, technology and business consultants, analysts and engineers, overseeing client briefs and workload.
• Act as strategic partner to help clients leverage data, martech, analytics and AI to hit goals.
• Develop proposals and methodologies for data planning, analytics, and data consulting.
• Inspire clients with thought leadership and best practices, driving client success.

Skills

Data planning

Analytics leadership

Client management

Team management

Martech

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

SQL

Python

BI tools

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Who we’re looking for:

VML is seeking a Data Planning Director to be a trusted partner to our clients, navigating their business, understanding their challenges and connecting across VML, as well as WPP at large, to ensure we are setup to deliver success with world-class services and solutions.

This role is part of an integrated Data & Analytics team across measurement & reporting, predictive modelling, data strategy solutions, covering media, CX, CRM and more. The focus is to act as the glue between clients, WPP teams on all things data. As such, you will need to organise, motivate and inspire to connect all (data and non-data) disciplines in delivering success for our clients. Gravitas and strong collaboration are essential.

What you’ll be doing:

Team direction and oversight

• Direct a team of data, technology and business consultants, analysts and engineers, overseeing client briefs and managing team workload.
• Direct and motivate the team to help them achieve their goals and deliver brilliant work for VML’s clients.

Data & Analytics leadership

• Act as strategic partner and advisor, helping clients to leverage the power of data, martech, analytics and AI to achieve their goals and drive effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develop proposals and methodologies for
  • Data Planning; encompassing data-driven journey design, targeting personalisation, test and learn
  • Analytics & Data Science solutions; encompassing customer analytics (e.g. customer segmentation, predictive modelling), digital analytics (e.g. journey analysis, web/app, media analysis), business intelligence (e.g. dashboard reporting) and AI (e.g. conversational BI)
  • Data & Analytics consulting; encompassing data, marketing technology, AI and operations (process, skills, culture, business change etc.). Includes data, AI, martech and adtech transformation roadmaps, measurement frameworks and associated operating model development.
• Inspire our clients and all of VML with thought‑leadership and best practice.
• Work closely with our clients to help diagnose and solve their challenges, support their data & AI vision, and make it happen.
• Drive client success and satisfaction in all you do.

Business Development

• New business – be a data and analytics lead for pitches to deliver winning proposals and presentations.
• New & Organic business – be relentless at bringing new ideas and opportunities to grow our existing clients and bring our data offer to clients who work with us in other disciplines.

What you’ll need:

• Exceptional experience leading across data and analytics in a consulting/agency environment, setting up teams and operating models with clients
• A belief in the value of data-driven marketing & AI to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience of building relationships with clients from junior to C-suite and dealing with the different and complex personalities involved.
• Someone who can unify groups from across a wide skill set and unify them behind a clear brief or goal and deliver excellent work for clients.
• A candidate with the ability to engage people with their presentation skills but show excellent active listening to create clear actions which meet client needs.
• A person with a love for data-driven marketing and is constantly following trends to develop impactful and significant work for our clients.
• Significant experience at scoping, resourcing, and developing commercial proposals.
• Knowledge of data and analytics technologies across the marketing and digital ecosystem including media, commerce, social and digital platforms, CRM & loyalty
• Knowledge of analytics solutions and how AI can be leveraged in marketing to drive growth.
• Must have knowledge (you need not be a deep practitioner in all these areas, but do need have a good appreciation across them):
  • Data strategy consulting – data landscape 1st, 2nd, 3rd party data, data management, governance, roadmap and use case development
  • Analytics & AI – segmentation, predictive modelling, measurement & reporting, AI marketing applications and product development
  • Marketing technologies – data cloud solutions, clean rooms, analytics and reporting tools, CDPs, CRM / marketing automation, AI technologies
  • Marketing operations – operating models, process design, governance, data culture and skills development, client enablement and business change

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

Who we are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

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 an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.