Senior Associate Director – Planning, Bayer & Akzo UK

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com. WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand

EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

Role Summary and Impact

EssenceMediacom is looking for a Senior Associate Planning Director to join the UK Bayer and Akzo media planning team, working on some of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods and pharmaceutical brands such as Dulux for Akzo, and Berocca, Clarityn, Canesten, and Rennie for Bayer. Both Bayer and Akzo have longstanding relationships with EssenceMediacom (10+ years), so you’ll be joining accounts based on excellent client relationships. Bayer is a digital-first, dynamic, and diverse account, and Akzo is high profile in their partnerships and brand advertising. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a strategic, quick-thinking, and creative media planner to develop work across all media channels, both offline and online. You will deliver best-in-class media strategy, creative thinking, and implementation within the UK for a global client who leverages 1AV and agency integration of Essence’s media buying capabilities.

Skills and Experience

• Solid multimedia planning experience
• Experience managing senior clients and stakeholders
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and agency partners
• A passion for learning about technology, trends, media, people, brands, and the industry
• Ambition and tenacity to make the ordinary extraordinary
• Ability to identify the core issue behind the brief and challenge clients to understand their true needs
• Data literacy — awareness of available resources and ability to turn data into insights that shape strategic opportunities
• Attention to detail
• Ability to voice opinions clearly and positively
• Good storytelling skills to effectively communicate ideas and thinking
• Team management skills, including clear communication and workload management
• Calmness under pressure

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

We invest in our employees to help them excel and grow. WPP Media employees can access global networks, pursue passions, and stay at the forefront of marketing and advertising. Our benefits include competitive medical, retirement plans, vision, dental insurance, paid time off, partner discounts, and mental health days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culture of respect and diversity. We support a hybrid work approach, with teams in the office around four days a week, and offer accommodations or flexibility as needed.

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While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.