Associate Director, Media Planning
WPP Media
Full-time
On-site
Malaysia
🌐 Digital Marketing
📌 Core Information
- Job Title: Associate Director, Media Planning
- Company: WPP Media
- Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Date Posted: June 17, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the application of internal systems and processes
- Leading the preparation and presentation of annual communications plans
- Managing the media budget for specific brands
- Mentoring and developing the team
- Overseeing client engagements and deliverables
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- 📊 Media Planning & Budget Management:
- Drive the application of Openmind’s internal systems and processes
- Lead the preparation and presentation of Annual Communications Plans and Reviews
- Recommend media platforms and investment levels based on client’s objectives and strategic directions
- Manage brand’s media budget (annual, monthly, and per campaign budget)
- 🌟 Client Engagement & Team Management:
- Lead various client engagements and interactions
- Mentor and develop the team to improve their strategic thinking skills and operational discipline
- Support the team in growth and development plans
- 📈 Innovation & Best Practices:
- Seek, recommend, and evaluate media innovations and test initiatives to address business objectives and needs
- Identify learnings and create best practices for both the internal team and client
ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with both clients and internal teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Graduate of a Business, Marketing, or Research-related course (e.g., Business Administration/Management, Marketing Management, Advertising, Economics, Communication Research, Communication Arts, etc.)
- Experience:
- At least 7 years of work experience in a media agency or marketing/advertising/research-related field
- At least 1 year of experience managing 1-2 junior staff
- Required Skills:
- Solid understanding of offline and online media
- Strong analytical and number skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Passion for learning and openness to new challenges
- Project management skills, good at multi-tasking and organization
- Proactiveness
- Self-starter attitude
- Team player mindset
- Time management skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Confidence and a can-do/positive attitude
- High level of accountability and integrity
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: RM 250,000 - RM 350,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
- Benefits:
- Medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance
- Significant paid time off
- Preferential partner discounts
- Employee mental health awareness days
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (in office around 4 days a week)
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Advertising Services
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees
- Founded: 1971 (as WPP Group plc)
- Company Description: WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective, built for the AI era. They bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create innovative solutions that deliver unparalleled growth for brands - in every market, every day.
- Company Specialties: Advertising, Media Planning & Buying, Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, Brand Strategy
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid to Senior level role, offering growth opportunities for the right candidate
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Media Planning or similar role
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with teams in the office around 4 days a week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the media planning team or across other teams within WPP Media
- Opportunities to work on high-profile client accounts and gain exposure to various industries
- Access to professional development resources and training programs offered by WPP and WPP Media
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Office Location(s): 175 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, US (global headquarters); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (regional office)
- Geographic Context: Kuala Lumpur offers a vibrant multicultural environment, with a mix of modern and traditional attractions, and a cost of living that is generally lower than other major Southeast Asian cities.
- Work Schedule: Hybrid work arrangement, with teams in the office around 4 days a week, offering flexibility for work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: The role may require occasional travel to client offices or other WPP Media locations.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Phone or video screening, followed by multiple in-person or virtual interviews with stakeholders, including the hiring manager and team members
- Key Assessment Areas: Cultural fit, communication skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work in a team environment
- Research WPP Media and the Openmind brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its mission
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media planning and buying software (e.g., MediaMind, Nielsen, Kantar)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity, Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust, Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise
- Work Style: Collaborative, innovative, and data-driven, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's core values, particularly in the context of this role?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid work environment, balancing remote work and in-office collaboration?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing team members to help them grow professionally?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Occasional travel requirements
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Role Differentiation: This role focuses on media planning and budget management, while similar roles may have a broader scope, including media buying and account management responsibilities
- Industry Context: The media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms and technologies emerging rapidly. This role requires a strong understanding of the media ecosystem and the ability to adapt to change
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the media planning team or across other teams within WPP Media, with potential opportunities to move into leadership or specialized roles
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive media strategy for a major brand launch, including traditional and digital channels
- Conducting a media audit and optimization analysis for an existing client, resulting in significant cost savings and improved campaign performance
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a targeted influencer marketing campaign, driving brand awareness and engagement among a specific demographic
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader media planning and buying strategy for the client?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with this client, and how can I best support the team in addressing them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the wider organization?
- How does WPP Media support work-life balance for its employees?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://jobs.jobvite.com/groupm-apac/job/o0xmwfw9)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work in a team environment
- Research WPP Media and the Openmind brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its mission
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role
- Job Title: Associate Director, Media Planning
- Company: WPP Media
- Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Date Posted: June 17, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the application of internal systems and processes
- Leading the preparation and presentation of annual communications plans
- Managing the media budget for specific brands
- Mentoring and developing the team
- Overseeing client engagements and deliverables
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- 📊 Media Planning & Budget Management:
- Drive the application of Openmind’s internal systems and processes
- Lead the preparation and presentation of Annual Communications Plans and Reviews
- Recommend media platforms and investment levels based on client’s objectives and strategic directions
- Manage brand’s media budget (annual, monthly, and per campaign budget)
- 🌟 Client Engagement & Team Management:
- Lead various client engagements and interactions
- Mentor and develop the team to improve their strategic thinking skills and operational discipline
- Support the team in growth and development plans
- 📈 Innovation & Best Practices:
- Seek, recommend, and evaluate media innovations and test initiatives to address business objectives and needs
- Identify learnings and create best practices for both the internal team and client
ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with both clients and internal teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Graduate of a Business, Marketing, or Research-related course (e.g., Business Administration/Management, Marketing Management, Advertising, Economics, Communication Research, Communication Arts, etc.)
- Experience:
- At least 7 years of work experience in a media agency or marketing/advertising/research-related field
- At least 1 year of experience managing 1-2 junior staff
- Required Skills:
- Solid understanding of offline and online media
- Strong analytical and number skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Passion for learning and openness to new challenges
- Project management skills, good at multi-tasking and organization
- Proactiveness
- Self-starter attitude
- Team player mindset
- Time management skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Confidence and a can-do/positive attitude
- High level of accountability and integrity
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: RM 250,000 - RM 350,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
- Benefits:
- Medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance
- Significant paid time off
- Preferential partner discounts
- Employee mental health awareness days
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (in office around 4 days a week)
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Advertising Services
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees
- Founded: 1971 (as WPP Group plc)
- Company Description: WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective, built for the AI era. They bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create innovative solutions that deliver unparalleled growth for brands - in every market, every day.
- Company Specialties: Advertising, Media Planning & Buying, Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, Brand Strategy
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid to Senior level role, offering growth opportunities for the right candidate
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Media Planning or similar role
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with teams in the office around 4 days a week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the media planning team or across other teams within WPP Media
- Opportunities to work on high-profile client accounts and gain exposure to various industries
- Access to professional development resources and training programs offered by WPP and WPP Media
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Office Location(s): 175 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, US (global headquarters); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (regional office)
- Geographic Context: Kuala Lumpur offers a vibrant multicultural environment, with a mix of modern and traditional attractions, and a cost of living that is generally lower than other major Southeast Asian cities.
- Work Schedule: Hybrid work arrangement, with teams in the office around 4 days a week, offering flexibility for work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: The role may require occasional travel to client offices or other WPP Media locations.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Phone or video screening, followed by multiple in-person or virtual interviews with stakeholders, including the hiring manager and team members
- Key Assessment Areas: Cultural fit, communication skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work in a team environment
- Research WPP Media and the Openmind brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its mission
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media planning and buying software (e.g., MediaMind, Nielsen, Kantar)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity, Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust, Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise
- Work Style: Collaborative, innovative, and data-driven, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's core values, particularly in the context of this role?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid work environment, balancing remote work and in-office collaboration?
- How do you approach mentoring and developing team members to help them grow professionally?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Occasional travel requirements
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Role Differentiation: This role focuses on media planning and budget management, while similar roles may have a broader scope, including media buying and account management responsibilities
- Industry Context: The media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms and technologies emerging rapidly. This role requires a strong understanding of the media ecosystem and the ability to adapt to change
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the media planning team or across other teams within WPP Media, with potential opportunities to move into leadership or specialized roles
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive media strategy for a major brand launch, including traditional and digital channels
- Conducting a media audit and optimization analysis for an existing client, resulting in significant cost savings and improved campaign performance
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a targeted influencer marketing campaign, driving brand awareness and engagement among a specific demographic
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader media planning and buying strategy for the client?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with this client, and how can I best support the team in addressing them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the wider organization?
- How does WPP Media support work-life balance for its employees?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://jobs.jobvite.com/groupm-apac/job/o0xmwfw9)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work in a team environment
- Research WPP Media and the Openmind brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its mission
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role