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. 

What does a Business Director do at WPP Production? 

By understanding WPP Production's full breadth of services, our Business Directors bring smart solutions to clients, helping them transition and transform their business. You are a hunter and team builder who drives client business, as well as grows WPP Production's opportunities and revenue.

You add value by maintaining and growing client relationships and are valued by senior clients for your partnership and strategic guidance. You are a driver of growth, who identifies new business opportunities and manages new business pitches to grow your portfolio of business. A storyteller who can drive and lead business with the ability to write and present decks with flare and precision.  An exceptional leader of clients, complex teams and individuals, you epitomise our brand values, are passionate about the business and inspire others to continually push to be better.  You partner with the Global Client MD (GCMD) and Global Client Lead (GCL) as well as the wider team helping to deliver the right strategic messaging and expectations for delivery excellence.

Key areas of responsibility

Growth and account planning

• Support GCMD and GCL in driving agency revenue growth across new business
• Drive organic strategic business growth through strong relationships, a solid knowledge of your clients’ business, strategic direction and competitive landscape
• Focus on cross selling our capabilities and services to extend our offering to clients
• Partner with the Commercial Team and Client Operations Director to formulate plans to manage and leverage opportunities to drive client business and partnership
• Drive and maintain a client business development plan, comms and contact strategy (per client) and identify specific opportunities and actions
• Play a key role in new business pitches

Relationship management

• Build client relationships based on plan agreed with GCMD/ GCL
• Seen as a trusted advisor on WPP Production's capabilities and provides guidance and counsel to clients to help them achieve their business objectives by developing the right production strategy
• Responsible for day-to-day management of overall client engagement and relationship health
• Monitor client satisfaction metrics and associated performance measures. Ensure negative feedback is escalated to GCMD, is addressed directly with clients and corrective action plans are implemented
• Deep understanding of client dynamics and objectives, manage client expectations for the agency and course correct potential client issues. Briefing GCMD/GCL and agreeing a quarterly plan
• Working closely with the GCL to understand contractual obligations and commercial arrangement and how these impact our ways of working as well as profitability
• Provide strategic insights to clients on a monthly/quarterly basis
• Partner with Client Director and/or Client Operations Director to drive account governance including Quarterly and Annual Business reviews and ensure flawless delivery

Collaboration

• Work with GCMD/GCL and Client Operations Director to understand who the right capability experts are to bring in to unlock opportunities for growth
• Partner with Client Delivery to develop and maintain high levels of team effectiveness and satisfaction
• Maintain high level of trust and respect among department heads in Creative, Production, Operations, Technology, Finance and SMEs
• Partner with Client Delivery to navigate when there are conflicting priorities
• Work with Global ExCo and WPP Production Marketing Team to tell the story of WPP Production by delivering compelling case studies and content sound bites

Leadership

• Create a culture of fresh-thinking, collaboration, respect, equality, diversity and inclusion, with a focus on learning, development and growth
• Contribute to WPP Production's culture by exhibiting ownership, professionalism, passion and leading by example
• Regardless of reporting lines and disciplines inspires the wider portfolio team to deliver their best
• Empower the team to take ownership and find solutions, supporting them by removing any barriers to success
• In partnership with GCMD and GCL, hire and retain the best talent
• Understand how data and the use of data can change how we approach content creation and elevate the types of conversations and recommendations we have with clients
• Have an active interest in sustainability and help drive change within WPP Production to think and act more sustainably

Financials

• Support GCMD/GCL with P&Ls, budgets and forecasting
• Ultimately responsible for monthly financial management and agreed contribution margins
• Partner with the Client Delivery, Finance and Commercial Teams to review revenue and plan against regular revenue analyses provided by the finance team to achieve monthly commitments
• Knowledge of profit levers and use them to drive profitability across your account portfolio

 Requirements:

• Experience in a Client Services industry, working in a marketing, integrated campaigns/digital agency and/or consultancy environment.
• Demonstrated ability to grow revenue through strategic and organic growth and new business with a motivation to meet specific financial targets.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Expert client relationship skills – multi-stakeholder environment, matrix reporting, industry POV.
• Experience driving positive and/or turning around Client Satisfaction Scores.
• Ability to build partnerships across disciplines, networks and teams.
• Ability to write clear, cohesive and focused client communications including strategic presentations with strong storytelling skills. Also training Sr ADs and ADs to develop these skills.
• Authentically passionate about great work, teams and business.
• Curiosity and insatiable need for continual learning that is infectious.
• AI Proficiency: A strong grasp of the marketing technology landscape, specifically GenAI, Agentic workflows, and how they will disrupt traditional production hierarchies.
• Proven consultative skills with a proactive and strategic approach to client engagement, serving as a trusted advisor.