Content Lead

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com. A Hybrid working model We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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. The Role The Content Lead drives the evolution and realisation of our offering, playing a pivotal role in the development and delivery of the Solutions Design product and services as it relates to our client's account. You are not just a multi-skilled problem-solver; you are a core contributor to the thinking and evolution of Solutions Design and where it intersects with the growth of a key WPP Production partnership. Reporting to the Global Practice Director, you will be instrumental in evolving and operationalising the global vision and methodology. You will take ownership of content operations and storytelling at scale, developing and codifying the best practise approaches that WPP Production and Integrated Agency teams will adopt. This role requires a strategic partner capable of supporting new business initiatives through upsells and growth, as well as driving our client's evolution through new services and QBRs. You will shape the future of our product, ensuring alignment with the broader WPP Production strategy and the Global Practice Director's mandate. Key Responsibilities 1. Practice Development Content Solution Design and Delivery: You will own the creation of specific content solutions from an operational and delivery perspective. You will bridge the gap between Operations, Media, High Content Velocity Studio, Data, Martech and Production, across WPP and Integrated Agency Teams, to ensure that our client's stories are being told in the most impactful, efficient and meaningful way. You will drive transformation to strategically meet and grow audiences by providing the content they need on the channels they frequent. Develop and Lead Content Solutions function: You will oversee the hiring of a team of Solutions Strategists who will assist in the design and delivery of the Solutions you propose. You will lead and develop the team to deliver meaningful content strategy, innovative production methodologies and Gen-AI creative best practice, in support of the Solutions Design offering as it relates to our client. Methodology & Product Evolution: You will be a central figure in actively leading the development of new Solutions Design products and services as they apply to our client. This includes pioneering new frameworks and consulting approaches based on real-world learnings, with a strong focus on AI innovation, adoption and transformation. You will capture local innovations from throughout the business, standardize them into codified playbooks, and ensure best practices are accessible to our client, Integrated Agency Team stakeholders. Thought Leadership & Codification: Collaborate with the Global Practice Director to author thought leadership pieces, internal playbooks, and case studies (as they relate to our client) that define WPP Production's market position, especially in the realms of AI and advanced production methodologies. Contribute to establishing Solutions Design as the central 'brain trust' for operational excellence. 2. Strategic Client Leadership Leading Client Solutions & Strategic Problem Solving: Operate with autonomy, owning individual client solutions while working closely with Growth leads to diagnose existing and new opportunities to grow the client's account. You will shape SOWs and strategic approaches and proactively engage with the client through QBRs, workshops and new service development initiatives. Elevate client discussions from simple executional delivery and efficiency into strategic problem-solving through rigorous, codified discipline. Director-Level Advisory: Act as a primary strategic advisor to VP/Director-level stakeholders, helping them secure internal buy-in required for transformation, particularly when introducing new AI-driven solutions or services. 3. Engagement Direction Leading the Squad: On major consulting projects, lead the strategy, direct discovery and design phases, and set hypotheses for Business Analysts to validate. Synthesis & Storytelling: Own the narrative, synthesising granular data into compelling strategic presentations that articulate the value of Solutions Design products and services. Grounded Solutions Architecture: Ensure proposed solutions are architected to be operationally sound, commercially viable, and reflect the real-world capabilities, economics, and operational realities of WPP Production's delivery teams. This includes ensuring solutions effectively integrate AI, agentic workflows, and node-based pipelines where appropriate, and maintaining a rigorous interlock with Global Production leadership and delivery teams. 4. Commercial Structuring Commercial Acumen & Financial Viability: Align operational design and commercial reality. Support the client Programme Director in structuring the commercial model for our client, understanding how to price value,and ensuring all designed Solutions, including new services, are financially viable for our client and inherently profitable for WPP Production. Business Case Contribution: Contribute to the development of credible, robust business cases for our client, clearly defining measurable outcomes, costs, and operating economics with transparency around assumptions and commercial risk for new Solutions Design products and services. Requirements Practitioner Background: Deep experience in production (Agency or Production Company), with hands-on experience that gives credibility. Must understand the reality of making content, not just the theory,especially concerning the application of AI innovation and advanced production techniques. Transformation Leadership: 10+ years within a production environment, not just running projects, but designing solutions. Proven ability to lead strategic change, with experience in designing and implementing AI-led operating models and driving organizational transformation. Commercial Acumen & P&L Fluency: A history of managing or contributing to P&Ls, treating every solution as a working business model, not just a workflow diagram. Experience structuring SOWs,business cases, and ROI models for consultancy services, especially for new product and service offerings. Product Mindset: Demonstrable ability to package consulting services into fixed-scope, fixed-price products with predictable economics. A natural inclination to develop repeatable Solutions Design products and services rather than bespoke effort. Strategic & Operational Depth: Equally comfortable architecting future operating models and getting into the operational detail that makes them work. Ability to speak the languages of both deep creative operations and enterprise organisational design, with a focus on integrating AI, agents and node-based pipeline strategies. AI & Technology Fluency: Strong grasp of the marketing technology landscape, and how it is disrupting traditional production hierarchies. Practical, current understanding of what to invest in and why, with proven experience in AI innovation. Authoritative Presence: Gravitas to lead a room of senior stakeholders and the confidence to challenge the status quo politely but firmly, particularly when advocating for scalable solutions. Builder Mindset & Constructive Dissatisfaction: Enjoys creating things from scratch (frameworks, tools, models, new services) rather than just following existing templates. Constantly curious about how things can be better, treating current models as starting points, not finished work, to continuously evolve Solutions Design offerings.