Transformation Programme Director

About WPP Media 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. For more information, visit wppmedia.com [wppmedia.com]. 1548 - Account Director, Programmatic - NMU About WPP 650 Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country. Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant. You’ll tackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do. It’s demanding – but always rewarding. This is meaningful work with real-world impact – the kind you can point to with pride. Role Summary and Impact As Programmatic Account Director for the Government New Media Unit (NMU), you will own the rapid, data led delivery of always on, tactical and reactive biddable media activity across search and social for central government. Operating within an agile, test and learn delivery model, this role prioritises speed, accountability and continuous optimisation, while ensuring all government governance, compliance and assurance requirements are met. This role sits within a new, fully integrated, end to end client marketing team and acts as a test bed for the Government’s ambitious media and marketing transformation programme. The successful candidate will help define and embed a new operating model for how government delivers responsive, high impact paid media. Operating Model & Ways of Working The NMU is designed to deliver a highly agile and responsive service, operating across three defined speeds of delivery: * Always‑on activity Continuous delivery, optimisation and performance management * Tactical activity End‑to‑end delivery (brief, creative, booking, live) within approximately two weeks * Reactive activity 24‑hour turnaround, from brief to creative development and live execution, responding to policy updates, announcements or external events The Programmatic Director will play a role alongside the VP and other digital leads on the account in enabling, governing and scaling this model within WPP Media and WPP 650. Key Responsibilities Agile Delivery & Optimisation * Own and deliver rapid, data‑led biddable activity across all three operating speeds * Lead iterative test‑and‑learn cycles, including sprints, daily optimisation and rapid hypothesis testing * Operate effectively within short planning horizons (weekly or bi‑weekly), adapting to evolving priorities and incomplete briefs * Capture, embed and scale learnings at pace across the NMU and wider government ecosystem Ways of Working & Continuous Improvement * Continually review, refine and optimise ways of working to increase speed and agility across: * Planning * Campaign setup * In‑flight optimisation * Reporting and post‑campaign evaluation * Apply foresight, pre‑mediation and proactive setup to remove friction and enable rapid delivery * Contribute to the development of playbooks, guardrails and best‑practice frameworks for agile government biddable delivery * The role will be split across the clients location and WPP 650. It will predominantly be an in person and not virtual role. Governance & Decision‑Making * Ensure all government governance, compliance and assurance requirements for biddable media are met and documented * Balance speed with risk management through clear guardrails, approval thresholds and escalation routes * Exercise fast, confident decision‑making within defined autonomy, acting as a trusted senior lead for clients Budget & Performance Accountability * Manage multi‑million‑pound budgets (£40m+) with accountability for ROI, effectiveness and value for money * Embed real‑time, data‑driven performance management, drawing on platform signals, social insight and trend analysis * Advise on and implement evaluation frameworks, test roadmaps and structured learning agendas Innovation & Transformation * Re‑imagine government communications through innovative paid and owned media approaches * Address share of voice challenges and support activity to counter misinformation where required * Actively leverage WPP Open and WPP AI capabilities to support automation, insight generation and optimisation within the NMU operating model Leadership, Collaboration & Capability * Lead and develop biddable activation talent, embedding specialist knowledge and best practice * Work collaboratively within a fully integrated, cross‑functional team spanning strategy, creative, data and client stakeholders * Foster a culture of fast decision‑making, learning and continuous improvement * Contribute to capability‑building initiatives, including GCS Advance, training agendas and knowledge‑sharing forums Skills & Experience * Experience delivering biddable media in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments * Expertise across the digital media and programmatic landscape * Proven experience managing large‑scale budgets with outcome accountability * Confidence operating in regulated or complex client environments, including government * Stakeholder management skills and advisory skills at senior level * Comfortable operating with ambiguity, evolving briefs and rapid change * Collaborative mindset with a clear appetite for transformation and new ways of working 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. 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. 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 Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy]) for more information on how we process the information you provide.   Please read our Privacy Notice [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment] for more information on how we process the information you provide.

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.  We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.    We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.   Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.    For more information, visit WPP.com.   Why we're hiring: WPP is at the forefront of the largest transformation in the marketing and advertising industry. Our Global CIO is leading a significant evolution of our Enterprise Technology capabilities, bringing together more than 2,500 technology professionals into a single, integrated global organisation. This team plays a critical role in enabling the ongoing transformation of our agencies and corporate functions. As part of this, WPP is delivering a major global CRM transformation designed to simplify our application landscape, improve data consistency, strengthen client and revenue management, and enable scalable adoption of AI‑ and data‑driven workflows. The transition from multiple local CRM platforms to a centrally governed global solution represents a fundamental shift in how our markets and agencies operate. To support this change, we are hiring a dedicated Change Management Lead to: * Minimise disruption during the transition * Support leaders through the shift away from local autonomy * Accelerate adoption of standardised global processes * Ensure consistent realisation of CRM benefits across the group As Change Management Lead for the Global CRM Programme, you will drive the people side of a major enterprise transformation, consolidating multiple legacy CRM solutions into a single, global Microsoft Dynamics–based platform. You will be accountable for designing and delivering integrated change, communications, training, and benefits realisation initiatives to enable successful adoption of global CRM processes, while supporting appropriate agency, market, and client‑specific customisation where required. Working closely with the Global Programme Director for CRM, business leaders, technology teams, and agency stakeholders, you will ensure the transformation delivers sustained behavioural change, rapid adoption, and measurable business value across a complex, multi‑agency and multi‑market environment. Who you'll be working with: * Design and deliver the CRM change management strategy aligned to the programme roadmap, governance model, and phased market rollout * Lead the development and execution of CRM communications, ensuring clear articulation of vision, value, progress, and impact across global, regional, agency, and market stakeholders * Define and oversee the training and enablement approach, delivering scalable, role‑based learning aligned to global processes and approved local configurations * Partner with business, design, and delivery teams to embed change and adoption activities into release planning and market onboarding * Track adoption, usage, and benefits realisation metrics, identifying risks and recommending corrective actions to protect value delivery * Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on managing behavioural and organisational change linked to a globally governed CRM platform * Ensure change, communication, and training risks are effectively managed, governed, and escalated through programme forums * Drive consistency across interdependent Enterprise Technology initiatives, reducing duplication and minimising change fatigue What you'll need: * Proven experience leading change management for large‑scale, global technology transformations, ideally involving platform consolidation * Strong understanding of adoption challenges in decentralised, multi‑business or multi‑agency organisations * Demonstrated expertise across communications, training, stakeholder engagement, and benefits realisation * Experience supporting CRM, ERP, or enterprise SaaS implementations (Microsoft Dynamics experience advantageous * Ability to influence senior business and technology stakeholders without formal authority * Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments, balancing global standards with local requirements * Strong systems thinking, planning, and execution capability, with a clear focus on outcomes and measurable value Who you are: You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working. You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected. You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day. What we'll give you: Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work. Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry. Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge? #LI-Hybrid  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. WPP 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. PLEASE READ OUR PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.WPP.COM/EN/CAREERS/WPP-PRIVACY-POLICY-FOR-RECRUITMENT) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.