Associate Director, Data Strategy

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visitwpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP's global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visitwppmedia.com.

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It's what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media's shared core values:

• Be Extraordinaryby Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environmentby Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimisticallyby Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

About Johnson & Johnson: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Johnson & Johnson is one of WPP Media's largest and most complex North American accounts, representing a diverse portfolio of neuroscience, oncology, and immunology brands. This role supports the launch and ongoing media investment for multiple high-profile pharmaceutical products, driving innovation and excellence in healthcare marketing.

Role Summary and Impact

As Associate Director, Data Strategy, you will own the end-to-end data strategy for a significant portfolio of Johnson & Johnson brands, with primary focus on neuroscience (including major launches such as Caplyta), and strategic support for oncology and immunology. You will lead strategic planning, audience development, and data-driven media recommendations across dozens of channels, stewarding hundreds of audiences and supporting annual media investments.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to manage and develop a team, drive proactive strategy, and serve as the primary strategic advisor to client stakeholders. You will work within a fully integrated team structure across WPP Media and CMI, collaborating on both HCP and patient marketing, and navigating a complex stakeholder environment across multiple operating companies.

Role Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Ownership

• Own the data strategy for a portfolio of neuroscience, oncology, and immunology brands, including 3-4 high-touch major brands and strategic support for 7+ additional brands.
• Lead the development of audience recommendations aligned with campaign objectives and therapeutic area nuances.
• Proactively identify strategic opportunities and gaps across the brand portfolio, driving innovative solutions and best practices.
• Set the strategic vision for how data and audience insights inform media planning and activation.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor Manager-level and Senior Associate-level team members, providing strategic direction and day-to-day guidance.
• Oversee quality assurance of all team deliverables, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment.
• Foster professional development and build data strategy capabilities within the team.
• Approve work produced by Managers before client delivery, ensuring all outputs meet WPP Media's high standards.

Client Relationship Management

• Own direct relationships with Johnson & Johnson brand stakeholders, serving as the primary strategic advisor for data and audience strategy.
• Lead client presentations and strategic discussions independently, building trusted advisor relationships across a complex stakeholder landscape.
• Drive strategic recommendations forward to clients, ensuring seamless execution and measurable impact.

Audience Strategy Development

• Lead the creation and execution of audience strategies, translating human insights into actionable audience definitions.
• Oversee the use of syndicated tools (MRI Simmons, MARS, GWI) and proprietary platforms (WPP Open) to generate audience insights and targeting recommendations.
• Ensure all audience strategies align with campaign objectives and regulatory requirements.

Data Stewardship and Activation

• Oversee the management of data flows from diverse sources (first- and third-party) into activation platforms, ensuring compliance and optimal performance.
• Guide the design and oversight of testing frameworks to evaluate audience performance, providing recommendations for optimization.
• Maintain relationships with key data vendors (Distillery, Epsilon, Acxiom, Swoop, Iqvia) and ensure effective integration of data sources.

Process Improvement and Innovation

• Identify opportunities to enhance workflows, streamline processes, and improve operational efficiency.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and privacy regulations, bringing innovative ideas to the team.
• Contribute to the continuous evolution of data strategy service offerings, driving thought leadership and best practices.

CMI Integration & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work within an integrated team structure across CMI and WPP Media, collaborating with blended programmatic and activation teams supporting both HCP and patient marketing.
• Navigate a complex stakeholder environment across multiple WPP operating companies.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or a related field; OR equivalent professional work experience.
• 4-7 years of experience in data strategy, media planning, or programmatic advertising, with strong preference for healthcare or pharmaceutical media environments.
• Proven experience managing and developing team members.
• Deep expertise in at least one media activation channel (programmatic, ad ops, data architecture, activation platforms, or analytics) with broad media knowledge ("T-shaped" skillset).
• Familiarity with healthcare-specific third-party data vendors (Distillery, Epsilon, Acxiom, Swoop, Iqvia) and understanding of how diverse data sources and activation platforms integrate.
• Above-baseline understanding of technology in the media ecosystem.
• Strong client-facing experience, with a track record of building and owning strategic relationships.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience leading client discussions and delivering strategic recommendations.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in Excel and familiarity with data visualization tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Strong understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance considerations.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we're just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

Equal Opportunities

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.

Accommodations and Hybrid Work Policy

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.

Compliance Language (North America)

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.