WPP Media is hiring an Associate Director, Growth

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of Tier 2 and Tier 3 client pitches, driving timelines, creating project plans, and escalating obstacles to leadership as needed.
• Define and assign key workstreams and ownership across all stages of the pitch process.
• Act as primary contact between pitch teams and design resources.
• Support execution of the overarching pitch strategy in alignment with defined objectives.
• Compile and review initial written responses to RFIs and RFPs, adjusted by pitch level.
• Develop comprehensive Backgrounders including analysis of the 5Cs: Company, Culture, Category, Consumer, and Communications, along with client biographies.
• Collect, verify, and interpret client intelligence using internal databases, public sources, and media tracking tools.
• Apply artificial intelligence platforms to generate actionable market and consumer insights.
• Support Tier 1 pitch initiatives by collaborating with business leads to fulfill resource and workflow requirements.
• Guide members of the Growth support team in daily tasks and deliverables.
• Assemble initial drafts of agency credentials and operating model responses using internal assets and expert input, tailored to each opportunity.
• Develop a cohesive and persuasive pitch story by analyzing relevant content and case studies.
• Customize messaging to reflect client priorities, industry trends, and competitive landscape.
• Ensure all narrative elements are grounded in insight and showcase core strengths of the organization.
• Support creation and delivery of pitch theater concepts that reinforce strategic positioning.
• Foster integration across functional areas by aligning cross-disciplinary workstreams.
• Maintain consistent and proactive communication with all pitch team participants.
• Review draft status updates from Growth support for accuracy and clarity before distribution.
• Coordinate with integrated agency team (IAT) growth personnel to schedule aligned meetings and include key stakeholders.
• Supervise junior team members on each pitch, guiding daily focus and engagement.
• Review deliverables for quality, completeness, and precision prior to sharing with broader teams.
• Verify correct attendance in pitch meetings by ensuring appropriate team members are invited.
• Model effective practices and performance standards for managers and associates.
• Promote a work culture centered on accountability, teamwork, and ongoing development.
• Share feedback and process observations to improve future pitch efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the End-to-End Pitch Process for Tier 2 & 3 Pitches: Serve as Driver or leader: keep teams on deadline, build project plans and timelines, enforce deadlines, and communicate roadblocks to leadership.
• Support in establishing and defining key workstreams and owners for all pitch phases.
• Serve as liaison with pitch teams and designers.
• Assist in managing and delivering on objectives of the overall pitch vision.
• Review or pull all first-round answers for RFI / RFP written responses (depending on pitch tier).
• Build thorough, accurate, and well-organized Backgrounders that cover the 5Cs — Company, Culture, Category, Consumer, and Communications — plus Client Bios.
• Request, gather, research, and analyze client intelligence data (from Internet, Info. Center, Ad Views, Ad database, the List, etc.).
• Leverage AI tools for compelling insights.
• Support Tier 1 Pitches: Partner with pitch business leads to ensure they have what they need for workstreams.
• Provide direction to Growth support team members.
• Curate RD1 draft content responses to agency credentials, operating models, etc., from our library and from subject matter experts (SMEs), customizing for each opportunity.
• Help Drive a Tailored, Compelling Pitch Narrative: Read and understand content and case studies that contribute to the overall pitch narrative.
• Tailor messaging to address client needs, market context, and competitive dynamics.
• Ensure the narrative is insight-led and reflects the best of WPP Media’s capabilities.
• Assist with concept development and execution of pitch theater to deliver compelling pitch experiences that support our strategic narrative.
• Integrate Teams Across the Organization: Establish points of alignment between disciplines across workstreams.
• Provide ongoing, proactive communication to all pitch team members.
• Review Growth support's draft for end-of-day, end-of-week status recaps for pitch team to ensure accuracy and clarity of communication.
• Build relationships with WPP IAT growth managers and associates to coordinate integrated meetings, ensuring appropriate IAT team leads are included in relevant meetings.
• Manage Junior Level Team Members: Reinforce day-to-day priorities and engage junior team members supporting each pitch.
• Ensure their output is executed flawlessly (e.g., review work prior to distribution to pitch teams to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, meeting notes accurately capture the discussion, next steps, and owners are clearly included).
• Confirm correct team members are invited to pitches.
• Serve as a role model for Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates, demonstrating best practices and a high-performance mindset.
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute Feedback and Observations to Optimize Processes: Share learnings, recommendations, observations, and identification of new resources/vendors from pitch process to inform future pitches and drive efficiencies with other growth team members.