Director, Planning

WPP Media•Chicago, IL

About The Position

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. Role Summary & Impact As a Director of Planning, you will oversee multiple planning groups and provide strategic leadership to understand all aspects of your client’s business and will be deeply involved in the future offerings of our services. You will be responsible for acting as the day-to-day liaison between the client and media community providing leadership, strategic direction, and input for media plans. You will work closely with the Group Director to drive an agenda of best practices sharing, innovation, and strategic thinking, via a clearly defined operating model, framework of thinking, and toolkit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, Business Administration, or Communication; OR equivalent professional work experience.
8+ years of directly related media experience.
Complete knowledge of all aspects of media.
Solid understanding of interactive research tools.
Understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements.
Ability to translate data into well-articulated ideas.

Responsibilities

Lead all media planning and buying aspects as assigned accounts.
Monitor client programs and day-to-day business activity.
Direct, develop and oversee planning objectives and strategies that deliver against business results and ensure client satisfaction.
Lead and direct all core partners as part of the entire solution, including TV, social search, mobile, print, OOH, and other emerging platforms.
Oversee the flow of client media-related issues while creating solutions and resolving problems.
Provide insight-driven recommendations and POVs.
Build and maintain effective working relationships internally and with clients, media vendors, and GroupM teams.
Sell the agency’s services and capabilities in new business pitches to prospective clients.
Oversee budget allocation process for media and fees across all media platforms.
Inspire and support the team through strong leadership, collaboration, and mentorship. Lead team in completing monthly staffing and revenue projections.
Partner with the Group Director to implement new technologies and practices that will evolve the business including addressable and audience first approaches