Manager, Planning, UK

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom; hybrid work with teams in the office around four days a week. This is a UK-based role and requires the right to work in the UK.

Company

hirify.global is WPP’s AI-driven media operating unit, combining media, data, partnerships, and WPP Open to deliver personalised campaigns and communications for leading brands. WPP 650 is a dedicated agency unit serving UK government clients.

What you will do

• Develop cross-channel media plans using channel knowledge, planning theory, industry best practices, and consumer journey thinking.
• Own campaign activity from briefing teams through delivery, including client deliverables, creative trackers, booking deadlines, reporting, and accuracy across workstreams.
• Coordinate planning, activation, specialist, client, and media partner teams to resolve questions and deliver effective solutions.
• Manage campaign budgets, financial processes, reconciliations, and in-flight budget recommendations.
• Act as a day-to-day client contact, present data and recommendations, and communicate complex information clearly.
• Support and mentor Planning Executives while developing a proactive problem-solving approach and escalating issues when needed.

Requirements

• Skilled knowledge of the media landscape, future trends, planning best practices, tools, platforms, systems, and techniques.
• Ability to use or brief out communications planning products and systems, present from Open, and develop data-led stories using tools such as Telmar.
• Ability to translate client business problems into media solutions and create effective multi-media plans with clear measurement.
• Ability to manage several campaigns and tasks accurately from start to completion, maintaining detailed pipeline and campaign information.
• Ability to manage budgets, deliver accurate reports with actionable insights, and support financial reconciliations.
• Knowledge of agency and client structures, business goals, decision makers, market trends, and stakeholder needs.
• Ability to lead clear communications with strategy, communications planning, channel planning, activation teams, clients, and media partners.
• Ability to generate media ideas, identify relevant partners, build persuasive recommendations, and tailor communications to different audiences.

Culture & Benefits

• Supportive, collaborative environment focused on curiosity, kindness, growth, and meaningful public communications.
• Hybrid working approach with regular in-office collaboration and events.
• Access to hirify.global and WPP networks, employee resource groups, learning opportunities, and thought leadership events.
• Benefits include medical, vision, dental, group retirement plans, significant paid time off, partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.
• Equal opportunity workplace committed to respect, inclusion, and career progression.