Associate Director, Strategy, MENA
The Associate Director, Strategy, MENA, at WPP Media is a pivotal role within the Growth team, based in Dubai, UAE. This position involves close collaboration with the growth, intelligence, and marketing teams to craft and execute strategies that attract and retain key multi-market clients across the Middle East and North Africa region. WPP Media, an AI-driven media operating unit of WPP, integrates media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalization at scale, ensuring clients understand the impact of their media investments.
In this role, the Associate Director will lead strategic workstreams for multi-market pitches and global prospecting opportunities, while also supporting local pitches and growth initiatives. Responsibilities include developing and presenting compelling strategies in pitches, prospecting, and internal meetings, collaborating with agency brand planning teams to apply distinctive planning approaches, and integrating insights from various disciplines into cohesive strategic narratives. The position also involves working closely with the Insights team to incorporate relevant category, company, consumer, and cultural insights into strategic recommendations.
Candidates should possess strong experience in strategy, growth, new business, or client-facing strategic roles, ideally within a media, marketing, or agency environment. Proven ability to develop and present compelling strategic thinking, particularly in pitches and prospecting situations, with strong storytelling and presentation skills, is essential. The role requires the ability to translate business and marketing challenges into clear, differentiated strategic opportunities and ideas, as well as strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills across disciplines, markets, and seniority levels. A proactive, commercially minded, and adaptable approach, with the ability to independently lead strategic workstreams while working closely with senior leadership, is also necessary.
While specific compensation details are not provided, WPP Media offers a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. The company fosters a culture of respect and inclusivity, encouraging employees to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.
WPP Media is committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. The company believes the best work happens when teams collaborate, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. They have adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week, and offer accommodations or flexibility upon discussion during the interview process.