SVP, Client Leadership

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.

1718 - SVP, Clients

About the role:

About Wavemaker:

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

Are you passionate about clients and their business, leading teams to create unrivalled work that grows our client’s business and builds long term relationships with them?

Wavemaker UK is looking for an ambitious SVP, Clients to join our Client Leadership Community — the voice of our clients in the agency.

As the voice of the client across the agency, we’re focused on ensuring our clients have their best agency experience during their time with Wavemaker.

We’re looking for someone who can inspire clients and teams to create unrivalled work, help define the ways of working across the agency that deliver the best client experiences and in turn grow our relationships with existing and potential new clients.

In this role, you will:

• Have ultimate responsibility for the clients within your patch.
• Your understanding of all elements of a client’s business, the category and industry in which they operate, will allow you to be a trusted business advisor to the client, working beyond media communications to facilitate growth.
• You will have deep C-suite relationships with the client and all of the client’s agencies a full understanding of the commercial opportunities this presents.
• You will ensure your team works collaboratively will the specialists within the matrix, to continually guarantee the delivery of unrivalled work.
• Your understanding of client commercials and the team will allow you to drive profitable business solutions for Wavemaker.

Commercial and Operational Excellence

• Ultimate responsibility for the financial control and profitability of the clients within your patch, ensuring your team deliver within SOW and within a profitable framework.
• Leads and create compelling contract renewal offers which are mutually beneficial to Wavemaker and clients.

Vison collaboration and alignment

• Collaborate across the Wavemaker Network, GroupM and WPP to identify products and services that support the growth of clients in the UK.

• Engage C-suite stakeholders in your vision for business growth – and demonstrate progress towards these goals.

Recognising and converting opportunities

• With a deep understanding of client requirements, use the matrix structure to develop new products to support growth, and work with the right group partners to deliver this.
• Understand the full operating structure of the client to identify opportunities beyond the core team that can support revenue and drive growth.

New business

• Run large scale, multimarket multi-stake holder pitches. Identifying the right time to ensure senior internal stakeholders within the process.

• Motivate and challenge the team around a pitch to ensure it is appositive experience.

• By present at industry and client events to deliver thought leadership and identify new business potential.

Skills and Experience

Practice Area Knowledge Sets the bar for agency delivery and reputation by demonstrating knowledge of the agency’s and client's organisational structure / people, client relationships, business strategy, industry, and challenges.

Problem Solving Can identify and handle unexpected situations or difficult challenges. Has the ability to assess problems and come up with effective solutions, involving the right stakeholders as necessary.

Stakeholder Relationships Functions as trusted advisor to client. Has a good understanding of how the agency operates and works with their clients. Knows about the clients’ business and who the key decision-makers are. Has an established network of industry relationships covering media owners, WPP/GroupM stakeholders, auditors etc.

Effective Communication Uses a variety of skills to create discussion, reach an agreement and create outcomes, affecting the action, behaviours, and opinions of others.

Commercial & Operational excellence Understands the commercial and operational running of the agency and client. Ensures the right level of knowledge and understanding is cascaded to team members. Demonstrates effective decision making in relation to commercial pressures.

Recognising and Converting Opportunities Can grow the agency's scope beyond the core deliverables by spotting opportunities when they arise, effectively communicating the benefits to the client, handling objections which may arise and project managing opportunities through to successful conversion, opening the door for future opportunities.

New Business Plays an active role in new business initiatives to drive agency growth

Vision, collaboration & alignment Is the voice of the client inside the agency. Ensures the client is effectively represented in internal forums and serviced within the matrix. Drives the vision for the work created by the agency within the agency and with the client.

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 note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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

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