Associate Director, Planning
WPP Media
Salary undisclosed
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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.
2578 - Associate Director, Planning - UK
Role Summary and Impact
Openmind:
Openmind, part of WPP, is an integrated agency model drawing on talent from across WPP. It has been created to accelerate the European transformation for Nestlé’s media function. Core to the solution is the advanced best data and technology capabilities, fuelled by WPP’s investment in AI, to maximise the impact of Nestlé media investment.
The Category AD is an experienced media expert as part of ZEUR UK team, responsible for developing strong relationships with the UK Nestle Category team, providing excellent Comms Planning skills and strategic guidance, have the knowledge/skills to push innovative thinking as well as best in class planning. You will be an excellent communicator & manager to a Manager and Senior Associate on your line of business.
This role will be a key enabler and accelerator of integrating Category strategy into local media plans, strategizing media investment allocation across markets and brands, increasing Category visibility into planning, performance, competition and ensuring x-market consistency.
The role is supported by a team of specialists (Above Market, Cluster), OpenMind leadership, and other Category leadership to draw from for inspiration and support.
Skills and Experience
At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what 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.
- Solid multimedia planning experience
- Experience managing senior clients and stakeholders
- Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and agency partners
- A thirst for learning about technology, trends, media, people, brands and the industry
- An ambition and tenacity to make the ordinary extraordinary
- An ability to spot the real issue behind the brief – knowing how to challenge the client to understand what they really need
- Data-literacy – aware of the available resources and how to turn data into insights that shape clear strategic opportunities
- Attention to detail
- To have an opinion and be able to voice it in a clear and positive light
- Good storytelling skills – to give our ideas and thinking the best chance of coming to fruition
- Team management skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and manage workload
- Calm under pressure
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.
We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including 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 to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
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Benefits
- dental insurance
- paid time off
About this role
WPP Media's Openmind division is seeking an experienced communications planner to lead media strategy for Nestlé's UK category business. Based in London and working in-office four days a week, you'll serve as the senior strategic lead for a category team, managing an Associate Director, Manager, and Planner while building strong relationships with Nestlé stakeholders across the UK. Your core responsibility is translating category strategy into effective local media plans, allocating investment across markets and brands, and ensuring consistency while maintaining visibility into performance and competitive landscape.
This role demands solid multimedia planning expertise and proven ability to manage senior clients and multiple agency partners simultaneously. You'll need strong data literacy to extract strategic insights, the confidence to challenge briefs and push innovative thinking, and excellent communication skills to influence both your team and clients. The position requires someone who can stay calm under pressure, manage competing priorities, and tell compelling stories that bring strategic ideas to life. You should have a genuine appetite for learning about technology, trends, and the broader industry landscape.
WPP Media emphasizes collaborative culture and professional development, offering access to global networks, comprehensive benefits including medical and retirement plans, significant paid time off, and mental health support. The company values people who embrace collective leadership, foster trust, and champion growth—both their own and others'.
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Pay for this role
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