Data Strategy Associate 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 .

2102 - Data Strategy Associate Director - UK

Role  Summary and Impact

EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

Data Strategy Associate Director  

EssenceMediacom is seeking a Data Strategy Associate Director to join our growing Data, Technology & Analytics team, reporting into the Data, Tech & Analytics Lead. The team focuses on maximising the value and impact of all data types on a client’s business, and how we effectively measure the performance to help make brands become more valuable to the world.

You will be working with one of the leading retailers in the UK, Boots, to harness their data and improve the performance of their campaigns, developing and deploying media measurement solutions. Communication with client stakeholders and effective management of assigned tasks is critical in this role. You will be joining a team which has doubled in resource over the past 12 months, with an ever-expanding remit to put data at the heart of the marketing function.

Part of The Boots Group, Boots is the UKs authority in beauty, wellness and healthcare with 176 years of trusted heritage and innovation behind it. Boots consistently delivers strong retail and pharmacy sales quarter after quarter in a hugely competitive market.  Boots are hungry to keep striving and prioritise great teamwork and true partnership with their agencies to achieve their ambitions.

They are a client who embrace change, encourage innovation, are leaders in data-led planning to fully understand the impact of media in the wider business system and always make time to appreciate achievements and say thank you.  They challenge us to deliver world class media planning and activation and enjoy getting recognition for great work we achieve together.

We have invested in giving you the tools to make you as successful as possible, including training/development, full access to relevant tools/platforms and a wider global community of analysts and data scientists.

Role Summary & Impact

Responsible for transforming data into actionable insights that drive superior client outcomes. Data Strategy involves transforming the way our clients think about, organize and orchestrate data & technology to deliver more timely, engaging and meaningful brand experience for their customers. Boots is a data rich client and that combined with clients willingness to test and evolve makes for opportunities to do great work. The Project Lead will optimise audience-driven strategies, identify growth opportunities, and deliver measurable business impact.

Skills and Experience

Data-led audience & bidding strategy and enablement;

• Using the data-sets and technology available to Boots, understand the audiences and support in the delivery of test, trial and strategy recommendations across paid media campaigns on addressable channels.
• Work with internal teams, Boots clients and partner teams to define, justify and request future signals and data products which can drive the clients business goals.

Strategic Project Ownership;

• You won’t be just doing campaign based work and will play a significant role in defining the strategic work-streams that will have the most business impact for Boots. Two key examples here are;
• Data Partnerships: oversee strategic partnerships, ensuring their data is fully integrated and leveraged within our platforms to deliver maximum value for the client.
• Agentic AI: guiding the wider DTA team on what personas and agents need to be built to deliver valuable insights for the clients.

Cross-functional Collaboration;

• Work closely with stakeholders to identify and deliver on technology opportunities that drive growth and optimise outcomes for the clients business. This includes our internal MarTech team and the CRM team at Boots
• Foster collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring alignment on project goals and client objectives.

Co-own Boots Data Strategy testing workstream;

• Work with internal testing leads and activation teams to bring forward robust testing methodologies for Data & Tech focused tests.
• Produce collateral for client facing case studies and share more widely with the business.

Data Governance and Compliance

• Boots, being a Pharmacy (and so have sensitive data sets), is a privacy first advertiser. As a result, they have a process for utilizing new partners on plans - you will be owning this process to ensure any new partners on plan have the correct Boots and WPP approvals before use.
• Updating any partner changes and reflecting this in internal documents and with client.

A bit about yourself:

• Deep interest in Media & Technology: An understanding of and desire to learn more about data products, technology, and trends within the advertising and marketing industry with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Customer Focus: A relentless focus on client success, with a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences and driving long-term relationships.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, as this role hinges on effective interaction with clients and agency partners.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders in a matrixed environment
• Digital working agency-side working on a data-led role within Data & Tech or Activation, with a strong emphasis on audience-based buying, audience data management and segmentation.
• Highly developed interpersonal, team building and relationship management skills
• Strong analytical skills and a natural affinity for numbers is key; You must be able to analyse raw data, draw conclusions and develop actionable recommendations.
• Understanding of the importance of privacy first media and what that means for how we need to do things differently

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

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