WPP Media | Media Planning Director, Japan

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. We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise. Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. For more information, visit WPP.com. About Us Media Futures Group (MFG) is a bespoke agency solution for Google. As a global team powered by WPP Media, we deliver strategic, creative, and data-driven media to drive brand and business outcomes. In Japan, our Strategy & Planning division helps Google navigate a complex and rapidly evolving media landscape using AI, creative technology, local partnerships, and innovative solutions. About the role The Media Planning team is accountable for the strategic direction, organization, and delivery of digital marketing activities for our clients. The team owns the day-to-day client relationship, ensuring flawless delivery against client objectives across all campaigns. The Media Planning Director (PA Lead) leads a team, pod, or market and is responsible for the planning, execution, and optimization of a portfolio of media campaigns. This role ensures budgets are deployed effectively against campaign objectives, leveraging the full range of available inventory through tactical planning and ongoing, cross-channel optimization. The Director has end-to-end ownership of the tactical media plan and its execution, translating the brand’s overall media strategy into action while adapting to evolving market conditions and opportunities. The role requires strong communication and project management skills, deep knowledge of the media landscape, and effective use of media research. As the senior lead, the Director sets the standard for account management by maintaining a clear focus on client objectives and best practices. Some of the things we’d like you to do: • Own and actively manage senior client relationships, serving as the primary day-to-day point of contact and escalation for VP- and executive-level stakeholders • Set clear client expectations for each campaign and ensure they are consistently met, proactively identifying risks, issues, and opportunities throughout the campaign lifecycle • Maintain overall client satisfaction during and beyond campaign delivery, addressing challenges in a timely manner and driving solutions in partnership with internal teams • Oversee all deliverables produced by the pod or market, either directly or through delegation, ensuring work meets briefs, quality standards, and client expectations prior to delivery • Take direct responsibility for the performance of assigned media budgets, ensuring investments deliver against intended brand and direct response outcomes • Clearly articulate the rationale behind media investment decisions and demonstrate performance versus expected outcomes through reporting, analysis, and client communication • Lead the quality and effectiveness of Planning Milestone Meetings, including strategic and tactical presentations and post-campaign analysis, particularly for priority campaigns • Manage the commercial health of account(s), including staffing, scope, financials, and ongoing capacity planning, in close partnership with senior ma