Associate Director, Client Services

Overview of Job

In this role, you will lead end-to-end integrated media planning and strategic client relationships for a portfolio of key businesses. You will be responsible for translating client business and marketing objectives into integrated media strategies across traditional and digital channels, while ensuring seamless collaboration across planning, investment, activation, analytics, and specialist teams.

The role requires a strong understanding of the media ecosystem, consumer behaviour, category dynamics, and business objectives, along with the ability to lead senior client conversations and develop innovative, data-led media solutions that drive business growth.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Lead the development of integrated media strategies aligned with client business, marketing, and communication objectives.
• Oversee end-to-end media planning across traditional and digital channels, including TV, Print, Radio, OOH, Digital, Social, Video, Programmatic, Content, and other relevant platforms.
• Translate consumer, category, market, and competitive insights into actionable media strategies and recommendations.
• Ensure seamless integration of media channels to deliver effective full-funnel consumer journeys.
• Lead senior client conversations around media strategy, planning, investment, performance, and business growth.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve client business outcomes through innovative media solutions and emerging opportunities.
• Guide teams in developing annual operating plans, campaign strategies, media plans, and long-term media roadmaps.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams across media planning, investment, activation, digital, analytics, content, commerce, and specialist functions.
• Ensure seamless delivery of integrated media solutions in line with client objectives, timelines, and quality standards.
• Provide strategic direction, mentorship, and guidance to planning and client servicing teams.
• Identify opportunities for organic account growth by expanding the scope of work and leveraging WPP Media's broader capabilities.
• Drive cross-selling and integration of specialist capabilities across digital, data, analytics, content, commerce, and technology.
• Oversee client media budgets, financial planning, forecasting, billing, and profitability in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Ensure effective financial governance and alignment of media investments with approved plans and commercial objectives.
• Review campaign and business performance and translate data and insights into actionable recommendations.
• Drive the use of audience insights, analytics, research, and measurement frameworks to strengthen media planning and decision-making.
• Actively participate in and lead new business pitches, strategic presentations, and growth opportunities.
• Bring strong understanding of category, consumer, competitive, and media trends to new business opportunities.
• Stay abreast of developments across media, technology, consumer behaviour, and marketing to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to clients.
• Contribute to thought leadership, best-in-class work, and initiatives that strengthen the agency's position in the market

What you will Need-

• 6-8+ years of experience in integrated media planning, client leadership, account management, or strategic planning within a media, advertising, or marketing agency.
• Strong experience in developing and leading integrated media strategies across traditional and digital channels.
• Proven experience of managing and growing large and complex client accounts.
• Strong understanding of the media ecosystem, including TV, Print, Radio, OOH, Digital, Social, Video, Programmatic, Content, and emerging media.
• Strong understanding of consumer behaviour, audience planning, media consumption, and the role of different media channels across the consumer journey.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business and marketing objectives into integrated media strategies.
• Proven experience in senior-level client relationship management and strategic consulting.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing large media budgets and account financials.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Experience in business development and new business pitches.
• Excellent communication, presentation, storytelling, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of both traditional and digital media planning, investment, and activation.