1260 - Strategy Director - Client Teams
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
Role Summary and Impact
Following a highly competitive pitch in Q4 2025, Reckitt consolidated its entire European media business with WPP. This was a major, high-profile win for WPP, and we are looking for a Strategy Director to join the Reckitt central strategy team at WPP Media. This team will act as the guardians of effective, industry leading strategic planning for Reckitt’s portfolio of brands across four categories; Self Care, Intimate Wellness, Germ Protection, and Household. We will be working closely with Reckitt’s central media, comms and strategy teams to look forward, push boundaries, deliver inspiration and have a positive impact on consumers and brands.
This role will entail:
Strategic planning craft
* Develop an advanced understanding of comms ecosystems and habitats, and planning best practices.
* Create strategic recommendations with clear implications and direction for regional and market-specific media planning.
* Build expertise in a broad set of relevant internal tools and agents, as well as external tools, to develop a deep understanding of the consumer, the client’s business, and specific growth opportunities within.
* Have a strong, clear and informed POV of the media landscape and marketplace, including relevant trends for Reckitt’s audiences and the CPG category.
Comms planning and storytelling
* Own planning presentations including defining the inputs needed, and work with the wider team across multiple disciplines (eg social, influencer, analytics, insight) to develop empirical, evidence-based strategic recommendations.
* Lead brainstorm and idea creation for campaigns (where relevant).
* Problem-solve both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating intellectual curiosity to interrogate and understand data in order to unlock valuable insights.
Collaboration and effective communication
* Work closely with key Reckitt stakeholders in multiple disciplines, and external partners (such as creative agencies), to get strategic buy-in, and to shape/inform creative asset development and requirements.
* Challenge (in a positive manner) and ‘stick with the fight’ to ensure that strategic recommendations are delivered as designed, with effectiveness and business impact paramount.
* Demonstrate flexibility and agility to work positively and productively with different people in different roles/disciplines/organisations.
* Build and maintain strong client relationships; become a valued and valuable member of the Reckitt client/agency team!
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.
Practice Area Knowledge - Skilled -
Develops breadth and depth of industry understanding. Becomes confident using tools, technology, techniques and systems and is able to train others.
Comfortable presenting both direct from platform (ie WPP Open) and developing a story from data but delivered outside of platform.
Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions to use.
Problem Solving – Skilled
Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analyzing information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem and wider impact. Quickly generates appropriate solutions informed by previous experience. Understands how to resolve escalated issues and supports others to problem solve. Supports or leads troubleshooting communication for issues.
Stakeholder Relationships – Skilled
Has an expert knowledge of client and agency structures. Can identify key decision makers and understands their perspectives which is used to build relationships. Has strong knowledge of the client sector/industry which is shared to build strategies and plans. Identifies strategic issues and raises questions to help stakeholders explore and understand their wider business challenges. Can easily suggest business solutions to match client/stakeholder needs and achieve objectives.
Effective Communication - Advanced
Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact. Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority, appropriately judging the demands of the situation. Creatively develops presentations and comms to help with the understanding/education of complex information. Guides others on the best practices and approaches for creating clear, concise and organized communication materials to convey plans in a user-friendly way.
Compelling Storytelling – Skilled
Applies big picture thinking in work and proactively leverages an understanding of the organization and key industry trends. Understand the different elements of responses. Designs differentiated communications (content focus, style, presentation etc) for various internal and external audiences.
Ideas Creation – Advanced
Lead new projects/activities that can create ideas to deliver effective solutions to clients business objectives. Ability to proactively generate ideas to provoke and deliver against broader business strategies. Coaches other to gain new insights and view opportunities from different perspectives. Championing an environment that fosters innovation by encouraging others to openly share and build on other’s new ideas, products and solutions.
Comms Planning – Skilled
Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market and category to effectively deliver compelling multi-media plans. Translates learnings and trends to create marketing communication strategies that are effective with clear measurement. Application of purchase journey thinking and visualization of how the media plan works channels. Translation of strategic direction/platform/provocation into directional role for media, channel role and behaviour in channel. Identifies and recommends budget shifts as campaign is in-flight where appropriate.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events.
Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.
Equality and Diversity Statement
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Working Environment
We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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 this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.
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