Associate Director, Planning

WPP Media
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have senior-level strategic planning experience in media and a track record of managing high-performing teams. The role is based in Ho Chi Minh City and emphasizes leadership and client relationship management.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years of strategic media planning and proven leadership in client-facing roles
    — “8+ years of planning experience in a media agency”
  • Individuals who excel at building senior-level client relationships and driving innovation
    — “Proven track record in client management and building senior-level relationships”
  • Professionals with a demonstrated ability to lead teams and deliver high-quality planning work
    — “Mentor and develop the planning team, building their capabilities and managing their career progression”

Things to consider

  • The role requires in-office presence for four days a week in Ho Chi Minh City
    — “teams in the office around four days a week”
  • Candidates must be prepared to lead contract negotiations and competitive reviews
    — “Lead contract negotiations, competitive reviews, and client business reviews”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience steering media investment to achieve business goals in your resume
    — “senior strategic lead and trusted advisor for key client relationships”
  • Showcase your ability to drive innovation and tangible results in client engagements
    — “Challenge clients and teams to drive innovation and tangible business results”
  • Emphasize your leadership in developing and mentoring planning teams
    — “Mentor and develop the planning team, building their capabilities”
  • Demonstrate your integrated, strategic media recommendation capabilities
    — “proven ability to create integrated, strategic media recommendations”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • driving strategic planning
  • managing client relationships
  • overseeing team performance
  • leading contract negotiations
Typical background
media agency planningclient management

Skills & requirements

Required

Strategic PlanningClient Relationship ManagementTeam ManagementMedia Channel KnowledgeBusiness AcumenPresentation SkillsCommunicationNegotiation

Preferred

New Business DevelopmentPitching

Stack & domain

LeadershipManaging And Grooming A TeamClient ManagementBuilding Senior-level RelationshipsStrategic Media RecommendationsBusiness And Commercial AcumenPresentationCommunicationNegotiationIndustry UnderstandingBusiness UnderstandingBrand UnderstandingConsumer UnderstandingMedia AgencyClient RelationshipsMedia InvestmentBusiness GoalsCampaign UpdatesMarket UpdatesInnovationTangible Business ResultsQuality Of WorkContract NegotiationsCompetitive ReviewsClient Business ReviewsMentoringNew Business DevelopmentPitches

About the role

Original posting from WPP Media via Greenhouse

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.

Role Summary and Impact 

The Associate Director, Planning, is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the strategic planning product for key clients. You will lead client relationships at a senior level, manage a high-performing team, and contribute to the overall growth and success of the agency.

Act as the senior strategic lead and trusted advisor for key client relationships, steering their media investment to deliver business goals.

Lead and manage client WIPs, ensuring all relevant campaign and market updates are communicated and actioned.

Challenge clients and teams to drive innovation and tangible business results.

Oversee the quality of work delivered by the planning team, ensuring it meets the highest standards.

Lead contract negotiations, competitive reviews, and client business reviews.

Mentor and develop the planning team, building their capabilities and managing their career progression.

Contribute to new business development and pitches.

Skills and experience

8+ years of planning experience in a media agency.

Strong leadership skills with experience managing and grooming a team.

Proven track record in client management and building senior-level relationships.

Solid knowledge of all media channels and a proven ability to create integrated, strategic media recommendations.

Strong business and commercial acumen.

Excellent presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.

Deep understanding of the industry, business, brands, and consumers to lead client conversations with authority.

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 read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide. 

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

Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide. 

Source: WPP Media careers (Greenhouse)

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