VP, Operations & Transformation

wppmedia; Greater London; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Media seeks a VP, Operations & Transformation to partner with EVPs in Global Client Solutions, driving operating models and governance to scale DTA-GCS impact.

You will lead transformation programs, coordinate cross-functional initiatives, and ensure alignment with WPP DTS and global client teams, building an infrastructure for disciplined execution and growth.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational effectiveness across DTA-GCS through scalable operating models, governance processes and organizational infrastructure.
• Develop prioritization frameworks that align investment decisions, leadership focus and resource allocation to business objectives.
• Lead portfolio governance processes, executive reviews, dependency management, milestone tracking and decision follow-through.
• Partner with leadership on forecasting, budgeting, financial planning, KPI development and performance measurement.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, leadership rhythms and measurable outcomes.

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 .

3189 - VP, Operations & Transformation - GCS

Role Summary and Impact

The VP, Operations & Transformation serves as a strategic partner to the EVPs of DTA within Global Client Solutions (GCS), acting as a force multiplier for the leadership team.

The role is responsible for driving operational effectiveness, organizational agility, strategic execution, and transformation initiatives across DTA-GCS, helping the organization scale its impact and improve how it prioritizes, plans, governs and delivers work.

The role reports directly into the EVP, Enablement, Global Clients, with dotted-line accountability to EVPs in DTA-GCS leadership. This structure ensures clear day-to-day ownership while enabling the broader DTA-GCS leadership team to direct time and focus toward shared priorities.

The role will ensure alignment across DTA-GCS and WPP DTS, as well as strategic capabilities in GCS and global client teams. It will help build the operating infrastructure, planning discipline, governance models and community engagement mechanisms required to improve DTA effectiveness in service of global client growth.

Core Responsibilities

DTA Operations & Organizational Effectiveness

• Drive operational effectiveness across DTA-GCS through scalable operating models, governance processes and organizational infrastructure.
• Establish and continually improve processes, engagement models, collateral, touchpoints, communications channels and feedback loops required to support GCS DTA effectiveness.
• Support resource management, workforce planning, organizational design, capacity visibility, onboarding frameworks and team effectiveness initiatives.
• Create visibility into organizational performance, accountabilities and execution against agreed priorities.
• Identify operational friction and implement sustainable ways of working that improve organizational agility and cross-functional collaboration.

Portfolio Management, Planning & Governance

• Maintain visibility across the DTA-GCS portfolio of strategic initiatives, programs and transformation priorities.
• Develop prioritization frameworks that align investment decisions, leadership focus and resource allocation to business objectives.
• Lead portfolio governance processes, executive reviews, dependency management, milestone tracking and decision follow-through.
• Partner with leadership on forecasting, budgeting, financial planning, KPI development and performance measurement.
• Identify portfolio risks, capacity constraints, resourcing gaps and decision points, and recommend mitigation plans.
• Develop executive reporting frameworks and dashboards that support informed decision-making.

Transformation & Change Leadership

• Support and lead strategic transformation programs across DTA-GCS as the business evolves.
• Partner across functions to design and implement scalable, sustainable processes, ways of working and engagement models.
• Drive adoption of new operating models and organizational improvements, ensuring clear ownership and accountability.
• Coordinate complex cross-functional initiatives requiring executive alignment, stakeholder management and disciplined execution.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, leadership rhythms and measurable outcomes.

Strategic Integration & Executive Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to DTA-GCS leadership.
• Ensure central developments across offerings, product, data, technology and learning are translated and cascaded effectively within GCS DTA.
• Act as a bridge across the business to resolve organizational friction, accelerate alignment and improve strategic integration.
• Prepare executive briefings, leadership updates, decision papers and communications that support clarity and follow-through.
• Facilitate senior stakeholder alignment across DTA-GCS, WPP DTS, strategic capability leaders within GCS and global client teams.

Community & Culture Development

• Establish regular forums and spaces to share knowledge, learnings, best practices and operational updates across DTA-GCS.
• Spearhead and nurture the GCS DTA community development plan, including initiatives within discipline or craft collectives.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Use community engagement as a mechanism to improve ado