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.
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.
*This is a 14 month fixed term contract*
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) for the region, governing the effective change management of the global WPP Media IT portfolio
- Implement the PMO's vision, strategy, and objectives, aligning them with the overall WPP Enterprise Technology and WPP Media business goals.
- Build and embed a culture of continuous improvement and the learning journeys needed to build capability and technical expertise in the team.
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities within the region's PMO team.
- Manage and co-ordinate PMO activity for the region.
- Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration within the project management community.
- Manage all aspects of the portfolio, including tracking project activities against business cases, budgets, and timelines.
- Identify opportunities to develop, evolve and simplify Portfolio Governance processes, tools, and documentation to ensure consistent and effective project execution.
- Collaborate with a diverse, multi-disciplinary global team to understand business needs and how they contribute to the IT project portfolio for the Media Cluster/WPP Media.
- Provide regular reporting, roadmaps and insights on portfolio performance within the region to senior management within Media CIO and S&T teams
- Ensure projects adhere to established governance frameworks and compliance requirements.
- Continuous improvement of governance processes and procedures across the team and inputs into the overall framework.
- Focus on continually evolving best practices, tools, and standards for PMO, ensuring universal adoption across the global WPP Media IT portfolio.
- Identify and implement opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce project risks.
- Implement the adoption of standardized project management methodologies and tools.
- Work with budget holders to plan GroupM Technology and Enterprise Technology budgets for projects
- Create a robust reporting and forecasting process for the region's project portfolio
- Create regular reporting to identify trends and potential risks in the regions' project portfolio
- Effectively manage stakeholders in a complex, multi-CIO global business environment.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the WPP group.
- Communicate project status, risks, and issues effectively to stakeholders at all levels for the region.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on portfolio management matters.
What you'll need:
- Solid understanding of theory and best practices that exist around portfolio governance, programme and project management
- Extensive portfolio management and governance experience
- Must have experience of working in complex organisations, in geographically diverse teams across multiple time zones
- Ability to effectively stakeholder manage in a complex multi-CIO global business
- Ability to build and maintain relationships by engaging and working inclusively to establish credibility, solve problems, build consensus, and achieve objectives
- Excellent verbal and written communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong business analysis skills; comfortable with financials
- Strong Excel and Powerpoint skills
- Good at communicating with people; able to articulate or convey complex data well
- Quick to learn and adaptable to changing priorities, with the ability to reshape, reconfigure and realign solutions to meet challenging deadlines without jeopardising the successful delivery of the team's objectives
- Ability to challenge to clarify understanding.
- Being accountable and keeping promises.
- Able to build a highly effective PMO team.
- Positive attitude and reasonably comfortable with uncertainty, risks and change.
- Works independently.
- Ability to provide structure to chaos.
- Ability to build trust and credibility.
- Ability to communicate & influence at all levels.
- Being able to motivate others.
- Manages "by example".
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 open-minded: to 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 or 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 aim to create a culture in which people can 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?
#LI-Hybrid
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.
WPP 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.
