Manager, Planning, UK

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 .

3313 – Manager, Planning, UK

Role Summary and Impact

The Media Planning team are experts on the paid media landscape and how audiences interact with it. We architect then steward holistic media plans throughout their lifecycle, owning the creation of overall plans, cross-channel budget allocation, in flight cross-channel reporting & optimisation, and post-campaign analysis. We are our clients’ key contacts for a unified view of their campaigns, narrating the story of the whole piece from planning recommendation through to PCA.

About Airbnb

We’re proud to have the Airbnb account at EssenceMediacom since 2019. We won the account in 2019 when we looked after five global markets. Since then, our relationships with Airbnb have strengthened and expanded; This year we’ll be looking after 20 markets (7 in EMEA). It’s an extremely exciting time to be working on Airbnb!

With the business growing we are looking to bring new leadership skills to help both our teams, and clients, navigate this change and growth, identify new opportunities to deliver breakthroughs and drive efficiencies, while continuing to strengthen our relationship.

The regional media and marketing are UK based, have strong relationships with the agency and often join our team and work from our offices.

Our guiding principles on Airbnb

Creativity led and customer centric -

Approaching media planning as a craft

Tireless focus on the customer

Do unexpected things only Airbnb can do

Flawless execution -

Extremely high regard for excellence, from planning to execution

Quality assurance in all media placements

Relentless commitment to evolving deadlines

Best in class account service -

Anticipate change and respond to it promptly

Ensure all Airbnb leads have what they need to execute effectively

Communicate consistently and proactively, following up with updates to all key stakeholders

Show ability to adapt, provide options or context

Working the Airbnb way

Seamless collaboration and act as an extension of your team

Simple, clear communication

Systems and processes that embrace ambiguity but also provide objective POV

The Role: Media Planning Manager

We are looking for a sharp, charismatic and highly driven person to take on a key role as one of our Planning Managers.

You will be working with a team of experienced marketing professionals, working closely with clients to build plans that shape the success for Airbnb. From strategy, into media planning and delivery of high-performance brand campaigns across a range of verticals.

You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day EMEA business across a number of core markets, predominantly the UK. Working hand in hand with the wider hub planning team, supporting the planning director and staying close to the Global account team who are based in North America.

We are looking for bright, proactive candidates, who can help ensure outstanding delivery to our clients, build our profile and create new opportunities. As a manager, you will also be playing a central role in our EssenceMediacom EMEA Planning team, delivering outstanding marketing campaigns for Airbnb, as well as supporting wider business initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing, dynamic agency which is already doing industry-leading work for exceptional clients.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Conduct research to determine and support planning recommendations.

Contribute to clear briefs to Activation and collaborative sessions to deliver these.

Evaluate responses from the Activation team and work with them to finalise channel and publisher selections and budgets.

Own the overall plan (as shared with clients) - allocate budget appropriately between channels.

Maintain the testing plans and supporting material.

Manage campaign launches.

Create and manage cross-channel reporting templates.

Collate and quality assure in-channel Activation reports, and develop insights and recommendations for the weekly cross-channel report.

Contribute in client presentations and manage relationships with junior clients.

Meet with vendors and have a relevant point of view on their offering.

Train and manage Media Planning Execs to deliver high quality outputs.

Exceptional organisational skills. Must have proven experience working over multiple projects and deadlines consistently

As the account is led from North American, it is a requirement for the role to be available between 4pm-6pm

Competencies (specific knowledge, skills and abilities):

Forecast expected outcomes of campaigns and manage spend accordingly.

Basic Google Sheet capability (VLOOKUP, Pivot Table) are a must.

Presentation design skills, in Google Slides or document format.

Understanding of industry standard media research tools (e.g. ComScore, GWI, TGI, YouGov).

Sound written and verbal communication skills, with the desire to learn and advance.

Excellent organisational skills, close attention to detail and ability to quality control work.

Ability to adhere to deadlines.

Superb client relationship and management skills.

Proven problem solving and decision making skills.

Ability to work independently and to collaborate in a team environment.

Skilled in quantitative reasoning.

Experience with planning activity for emerging markets is beneficial

Management Responsibility:

Motivate junior team members, leading by example while teaching new skills.

Provide timely and actionable feedback to aid in team development and improvement.

Develop strong relationships across the client team to facilitate flawless execution of plans.

Communicate effectively across all levels of the team.

Understand when to escalate issues to managers.

Provide awareness and recognition for jobs well done.

Skills and Experience

Bachelor’s degree

Experience may be substituted for the education

Proven experience in media at Senior Executive level, with solid understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising.

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 characteristic