Associate Director, Planning

3713 - Associate Director, Planning - UK

About ITV

ITV stands as a powerhouse within the UK's media landscape, widely recognised as one of the largest and most respected media owners. Their annual ATL investment fuels a diverse portfolio of activities, encompassing high-profile show launches, strategic brand-building campaigns, and performance-driven conversion initiatives. Partnering with ITV requires a highly collaborative approach, a curious mindset, and a strong drive to deliver innovative, market-leading work that consistently pushes boundaries in media and entertainment.

Role Summary and Impact

The Associate Director, Planning is a pivotal strategic leadership role within the ITV account.

Working across ITV’s media portfolio, the AD is responsible for elevating campaign strategy, shaping market-leading ideas, and driving digital & data-led growth. As a senior leader, you will line manage broader team members, fostering a high-performing team culture, guiding their career progression, and ensuring operational excellence across all output.

You will act as a trusted advisor to senior ITV stakeholders, championing EssenceMediacom’s planning framework to deliver award-worthy, high-impact responses that push the boundaries of entertainment marketing.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Creative Leadership:

• Lead end-to-end media strategy for ITV, elevating campaign responses across broadcast, streaming, and performance channels so they are clear, creative, data-led, and compelling.
• Translate complex client challenges and market trends into actionable strategic frameworks that drive consumer attention and show engagement.
• Oversee testing roadmaps and learning agendas, ensuring every campaign response incorporates test & learn hypotheses and clear measurement models.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Own diverse client relationships across ITV, acting as an indispensable strategic partner and the escalation point for day-to-day planning queries.
• Navigate complex agency and media-owner alignment, managing difficult conversations with composure and maintaining high client satisfaction scores.

Team Leadership & Line Management:

• Line manage, mentor, and inspire a dedicated planning team, including an Account Directors, Account Managers, Planners, and Execs.
• Manage workload distribution, delegate effectively, and set clear, motivating annual KPIs for direct reports.
• Conduct regular check-ins and End-Of-Year reviews (utilising tools like Culture Amp) to nurture talent, drive L&D opportunities, and support team career progression.

Commerciality & Account Health:

• Contribute towards the overall commercial health of the account, identifying new revenue opportunities for the agency 
• Ensure financial governance across campaign billing & forecasting

Skills, Experience & Attributes

• Senior Planning Expertise: Proven track record in a senior media planning role within a media agency setting, overseeing large-scale, multi-channel accounts.
• Entertainment & Media Landscape Knowledge: Deep expertise in the UK broadcast, streaming, digital video, and wider digital ecosystem, with a genuine passion for entertainment marketing.
• Proven Line Management: Strong experience managing and developing mid-to-senior team members (including Account Directors), with a track record of setting clear direction, delegating effectively, and nurturing talent.
• Strategic Storytelling & Data Mastery: Demonstrated ability to turn raw data, audience insights, and market trends into clear, narrative-driven media strategies that win client trust.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of agency commercial models, contract management, PRFs, and GroupM product integration.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable leading top-to-top senior meetings and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Resilience & Organisational Agility: Highly composed under pressure, capable of overseeing multiple high-velocity show launches simultaneously while maintaining quality control.

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.  Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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

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