Business Director, Innovation

Job Summary

Required Qualifications

• •Strategy, creative, or technology-driven planning experience within a leading media agency, digital shop, or innovation consultancy
• •Strong strategic and analytical thinker with a deep understanding of digital media, experience design (CX), and emerging technologies (such as Applied AI, conversational interfaces, and immersive formats)
• •Proven track record in strategy development—specifically in turning cultural insights and technological trends into multi-channel communication strategies
• •Collaborative mindset with experience working alongside specialized divisions, such as behavioral scientists, qualitative research consultancies, and DE&I advisory specialists
• •Direct report management experience with a passionate approach to mentoring junior talent, fostering their skills in strategic thinking and creative application
• •Impeccable presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to confidently pitch bold, evidence-based ideas and command rooms of diverse stakeholders
• •Strong operational and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, keep delivery on track, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• •Experience in creating thought-leadership content, such as trends whitepapers, capability-building workshops, and client-facing educational playbooks
• •An active problem-solver and self-starter who naturally challenges the status quo and seeks out novel ways to improve processes
• •Experience managing and mentoring 1 Account Manager
• •Ability to run internal training, masterclasses, and capability programs to elevate the collective strategic capability of the wider WPP 650 planning team
• •Ability to ensure high standards of strategic delivery from initial citizen insight generation and behavioral mapping through to concept development, partner evaluation, and final campaign measurement
• •Ability to act as the primary interface between the WPP 650 strategic planners, behavioral scientists, and the Creative Media & Tech Lab
• •Ability to foster seamless cross-functional collaboration within The Experience Capability, integrating innovation strategies with Platform & Creators, Applied Innovation, and WPP Production (HEX)
• •Ability to build and maintain active relationships with external tech partners, social platforms, and creator networks

Desired Qualifications

• •Experience partnering with planners and strategists across the WPP 650 team to embed innovation strategies into the core of integrated communications planning
• •Experience developing and scaling proprietary strategic methodologies tailored to public-sector challenges
• •Experience leading the strategic intersection between technology, media, and human insights by collaborating with Citizen Consultancy and Behavioural Science teams
• •Experience championing inclusive innovation by ensuring emerging technology applications are designed with accessibility, representation, and digital inclusion at their core
• •Experience running day-to-day workflows that take innovation concepts from initial brief to live campaign implementation, measurement, and post-campaign scaling
• •Experience partnering directly with the DTA team to ensure all innovation pilots have established tracking, data clean room structures, and real-time dashboarding
• •Experience acting as the primary innovation interface for dedicated Department & Mission Hubs
• •Experience delivering bespoke strategic consultancy for key briefs across various UK Government departments
• •Experience articulating the commercial, operational, and social impact of WPP Media's innovation solutions during strategic reviews, pitches, and senior-level briefing responses
• •Experience formulating clear hypotheses and designing rigorous measurement frameworks alongside behavioural scientists to validate the real-world impact of innovative pilots
• •Experience acting as a primary strategic liaison for senior marketing directors, department heads, and GCS specialists
• •Experience line-managing, inspiring, and guiding 1 Account Manager, actively delegating tasks and fostering their professional growth in project execution and innovation strategy
• •Experience running internal training, masterclasses, and capability programs to elevate the collective strategic capability of the wider WPP 650 planning team in emerging media, inclusive design, and behavioral-led innovation
• •Experience overseeing strategy end-to-end from initial citizen insight generation and behavioral mapping through to concept development, partner evaluation, and final campaign measurement
• •Experience acting as the primary interface between the WPP 650 strategic planners, behavioral scientists, and the Creative Media & Tech Lab
• •Experience fostering seamless cross-functional collaboration within The Experience Capability, integrating innovation strategies with Platform & Creators, Applied Innovation, and WPP Production (HEX)
• •Experience building and maintaining active relationships with external tech partners, social platforms, and creator networks to secure first-to-market opportunities and inclusive beta tests for government campaigns
• •Experience working in a hybrid approach with teams in the office around four days a week