Strategy & Innovation Account Director

Description

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

About Mindshare: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Mindshare delivers Good Growth for its clients. As “Growth Architects," we drive growth that benefits all stakeholders — better for people, planet, and business — by using media with intention. This approach creates more meaningful connections with consumers, increases consumer trust in the brand, and delivers better outcomes for all stakeholders.

Role Summary and Impact

Culture & Innovation Strategy Director

The Worldwide Invention team at Mindshare drives creativity & innovation in and beyond media by excelling in culture, community, and innovation. Through a balance of deep  expertise and creative thinking we guide our clients to think outside of the box, using channels and mechanics that drives growth beyond their existing realms of focus (e.g. partnership, sponsorship, branded or social content, influencer, emerging technologies, sport, gaming, etc.).  

We aim to elevate creativity in media by designing media-agnostic ideas; develop thoroughly research and inspirational thought leadership; deliver culture & creative programs; and be deep experts in areas of specialisms. These are primarily: cultural strategy, partnership, sponsorship; community strategy, influencers, creators, social content; innovation strategy, creative tech & emerging technologies. Our knowledge spans across various areas of culture, with specific focus on gaming, sport, film and entertainment.

We are looking for a Culture & Innovation Strategy Director to join the global Unilever team, working across the Global Marketing Organisation and the billion-dollar brands that make up their portfolio- Dove, Rexona, Persil, Hellmann’s, and more. Specifically, their responsibilities are to work as part of the global Capabilities team, and together with Unilever’s global marketing team, to help identify how marketing is evolving, how culture and innovation will affect Unilever and its brands.

Your responsibilities will include :

• Contribute to the development of insight and foresight reports related to culture marketing and innovation in comms and media, conducting research and analysis to inform findings.

• Develop strategic guidance and actionable recommendations related to culture marketing and innovation in comms and media, translating insights into practical applications.

• Serve as a key resource and source of insights for the Strategy & Capabilities team as well as Unilever’s Global Marketing Organisation, sharing expertise and best practices.

• Collaborate closely with other parts of Capabilities (Commerce, Data Strategy, Audience, Joint Business Partners, etc.) to support the operationalization and implementation of culture marketing and innovation across all parts of Unilever’s media and marketing efforts.

• Leverage and cultivate relationships with Joint Business Partners (Google, TikTok, etc.) to gather insights and inform strategic recommendations.

• Support the building of capabilities and education initiatives for global and local teams (both agency and client side), to  facilitate the adoption of the overall vision of culture and innovation globally.

• Partner with the wider Invention team to integrate and leverage expertise and resources related to innovation and culture from across WPP Media / WPP.

• Contribute to discussions and thought leadership around culture and innovation across WPP Media.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

o   Be  Extraordinary by  Leading Collectively to  Inspire transformational Creativity.

o   Create an  Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by  Cultivating Trust .

o   Lead  Optimistically by  Championing Growth and Development to  Mobilize the Enterprise .

·       6+ years of experience in Research and / or Strategy, ideally within an Innovation or Culture focused agency or specialist shop

·       Media experience is preferred but not mandatory

·       Experience working with Senior Stakeholders is important

·       A proactive self-starter with a problem-solving attitude and the ability to meet deadlines 

·       Creatively minded with the ability to turn insight to strategy  

·       Ability to learn new tools and systems from across WPP / WPP Media (audience, insight etc) 

·       Hands-on approach to service client relationships and confident managing multiple stakeholder relationships 

·       Strong presentation skills and attention to detail 

·       Strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects at one time 

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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  particular characteristics . We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 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.

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

Please read our Privacy Notice ()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. 

#LI-Promoted