Digital Planning Lead

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.

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision‑making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

About Wavemaker Digital Planning

Wavemaker UK houses all its Digital Planning specialists in data‑driven marketing into one unit, Wavemaker Digital Planning, focused on accelerating digital transformation for brands. WM Digital Planning is a high‑performance digital‑first unit made up of experts which cover five core pillars: Digital Planning, Digital Maturity audits, Marketing technology, Analytics, and Data Strategy.

WM Digital Planning consists of c.20 specialists in London and Manchester, with an ambition to be the most distinctive and admired data‑driven marketing practitioners in the UK. We will do this through:

• A single‑minded focus on advancing clients’ digital marketing maturity through technical innovation, analytical rigour, advanced audience design and a culture of continuous learning and optimisation
• An agile operating model designed to help clients take control of their digital investment, including support for the creation of in‑house capabilities
• Certified specialist expertise in leading marketing technology and media platforms, and a strong ethos of partnership and innovation with tech and digital media businesses
• A technology‑powered service model with a development roadmap focused on original data science to automate and optimise marketing delivery
• A culture that rewards expertise and invests in training and developing specialist talent
• A commitment to driving higher standards in digital media quality, transparency and the responsible use of data

Responsibilities

Digital transformation needs focus and expertise. The Digital Planning Lead drives the digital maturity of clients through the WM‑Operating System and Digital Maturity Framework, overseeing the overall digital channel investment and ensuring commercial considerations are met. The role works with product owners, data partners and technology teams to align capabilities, advances analytics solutions, and integrates marketing across channels such as Ecommerce, Affiliates, OneSearch (PPC & SEO). Key responsibilities include:

• Driving progress against client maturity through scoring tools and operating system metrics
• Control of the overall digital channel investment and ensuring WM commercial considerations are taken into account
• Working with Wavemaker product owners, and with Data Partners on larger accounts, to ensure the right capabilities and technology are in place to advance digital marketing
• Collaborating with Data & Tech teams to identify new opportunities to advance clients through the suite of Digital Analytics solutions
• Aligning outputs from Provocative Planning with credible digital marketing approaches and activating them with rigour and innovation
• Ensuring all digital channels are fully integrated into client updates and meetings, supporting a fluid way of working with platform activation resources within each client hub
• Being accountable to the Client Managing Directors (CMDs) and Head of Digital Planning for the timely, high‑quality delivery of digital marketing on the account
• Adopting Agile workflow principles – visualising and valuing work, whilst prioritising tasks with relevant platform leads and activation specialists
• Contributing to new business pitches by presenting the strongest digital solutions in RFI, RFP and presentations

Commercial Best Practice responsibilities include:

• Overall accountability for financial processes, reconciliation, and SOX compliance for all clients within the group
• Tracking and delivery for audited and PRF'd clients as outlined in the client contract
• Collaborating with trading leads to deliver agreed investment profiles and forecasts
• Designing proprietary offerings and speaking confidently about products to clients
• Identifying warning signs and opportunities to protect or increase revenue and income

Qualifications – Skills and Experience

The Digital Planning Lead role is best suited to candidates with deep digital or performance marketing expertise, a strong track record of quality and innovation in implementation planning or activation, and the ability to advance an entire client group’s digital marketing output. Key characteristics include:

• Operational leadership capable of inspiring and managing activation specialists across PPC/SEO, programmatic, social, affiliates, ecommerce, addressable, and data strategy disciplines
• A detail‑oriented champion for original, intelligent digital marketing work on every brief, leveraging technology, data, audiences and activation
• Able to build credible, expertise‑based relationships with senior digital marketing and media clients
• Insatiable appetite for growing digital, demonstrating enthusiasm, positive provocation and innovation in day‑to‑day work or specific digital objectives
• A pragmatist and collaborator who can work effectively with peers to design solutions, especially with data partners and platform leads within the client group
• Translator of strategic marketing requirements into practical digital activation plans that balance rigour, innovation and learning
• Identification and pursuit of new growth opportunities, developing and converting organic and new business proposals
• Trusted adviser to CMD/General Manager on planning, scoping and running digital marketing activity, including troubleshooting and quality control

Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to being extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We lead optimistically, firmly believing in and championing growth and development for every individual. This 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. The 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 includes competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

EEO Statement

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.

UK based role – requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.

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