Director of Business Platforms - PPS

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

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 115,000 accomplished people in 110 countries. WPP has headquarters in New York, London and Singapore and a corporate presence in major markets worldwide.

We create transformative ideas and outcomes for our clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce, and technology.

WPP and our award-winning agencies work with most of the world's biggest companies and organisations - from Ford, Unilever and P&G to Google, HSBC, and the UN. Our clients include 61 of the FTSE 100, 307 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30 and 62 of the NASDAQ 100. WPP are the leader in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and 20th in the FTSE 100 rankings for Women on Boards.

For internal WPP employees, we welcome applications from all regions

Why we're hiring:

WPP is at the forefront of the marketing and advertising industry's largest transformation. Our Global CIO is leading a significant evolution of our Enterprise Technology capabilities, bringing together over 2,500 technology professionals into an integrated global team. This team will play a crucial role in enabling the ongoing transformation of our agencies and functions.

As Director of Business Platforms for Production, PR and Specialist cluster (PPS), you will be a visionary leader, defining and executing the platform strategy that empowers Production, PR & Specialist agencies to thrive in a dynamic digital landscape. You will promote both the unique needs of our agencies and the cohesive vision of our broader Business Platforms strategy, driving innovation and operational excellence across the organization.

What you'll be doing:

• Define and execute a forward-thinking platform strategy that balances the needs of multiple business units, aligning with both cluster-specific and broader organizational goals.
• Collaborate closely with the Production, PR and Specialist CIO to align platform initiatives, ensuring harmony with the overall Business Platforms strategy and navigating the complexities of a matrixed reporting structure.
• Drive operational excellence by aligning business goals, platform capabilities, team workload, and backlog prioritization to enhance user satisfaction across the Production, PR and Specialist cluster.
• Spearhead the development and implementation of scalable, innovative business platforms tailored to the needs of WPP, leveraging global templates and standards while considering insourcing opportunities.
• Oversee product lifecycle management, including platform enhancements, support, upgrades, and integrations, ensuring continuous improvement and a seamless user experience.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation across teams to optimize platform performance and drive the adoption of new technologies.
• Collaborate with the Enterprise Data department to implement data-driven strategies that improve platform performance, usability, and ROI.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and technology partners, leveraging their expertise and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Act as a primary point of contact for stakeholders across the Production, PR and Specialist cluster, providing guidance and leadership on platform-related matters.
• Ensure platforms comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards, implementing robust risk management practices to safeguard data integrity and platform security.

What you'll need:

• A proven track record of leading platform and ERP initiatives in a large, complex matrix organization, demonstrating the ability to navigate competing priorities and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Strong leadership experience in managing cross-functional, geographically distributed, and diverse teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Expertise in managing and engaging with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives, Cluster CIOs, and business leaders, building strong relationships and aligning diverse perspectives.
• Exceptional negotiation and consensus-building skills to align the diverse needs and objectives of various stakeholders and businesses within the organization.
• Deep knowledge of business platforms, including system architecture, integration, and scalability, with a focus on delivering secure, reliable, and high-performing solutions.
• Expertise in leading change management initiatives, particularly in large-scale transformations involving multiple stakeholders and teams, driving adoption and managing resistance to change effectively.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex information and updates to senior leadership and multiple stakeholder groups, tailoring messaging for diverse audiences.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are accepting: of new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures for our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: We are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people - We promote a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity - We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work - Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.