Senior Manager, Client Services, India

Overview

Lead integrated media investment and execution across offline (TV, Print, Radio, OOH) and digital channels, translating approved media strategies into executable investment plans while negotiating with media partners and ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs.

What you'll do

• Lead end-to-end media investment and buying activities across TV, Print, Radio, OOH and digital channels, based on approved media strategies and client objectives.
• Translate media plans into detailed investment and execution plans, ensuring the right balance of reach, efficiency, quality and cost.
• Manage campaign spends, inventory, allocations, bookings, releases and ongoing investment optimisation.
• Ensure timely and accurate campaign execution in coordination with internal teams, agencies, broadcasters, publishers and other media partners.
• Monitor campaign delivery against agreed investment plans, timelines, budgets and performance expectations.
• Identify opportunities to optimise media investments through better rates, inventory, placements, value-adds and commercial partnerships.
• Drive TV investment across key genres including GEC, Movies, News, Sports and Regional markets.
• Work with BARC and other relevant audience measurement data to evaluate channel and programme performance and support investment decisions.
• Manage negotiations with broadcasters and media owners to secure competitive rates, premium inventory and relevant value-adds.
• Evaluate CPRPs, reach, frequency, GRPs, spot performance and inventory availability to drive efficient TV investments.
• Manage Print, Radio and OOH investments, including rate negotiations, inventory planning, releases and campaign reconciliations.
• Work closely with digital investment teams across Google, Meta, YouTube, Programmatic, OTT and other digital platforms to ensure integrated campaign delivery.
• Bring an integrated investment lens across offline and digital channels to identify opportunities for better audience reach, efficiency and media effectiveness.
• Ensure consistency between planned investment, actual spends and campaign delivery across channels.
• Own commercial negotiations with media partners to maximise value for clients.
• Evaluate market rates, historical benchmarks, inventory availability and competitive intelligence while negotiating media deals.
• Identify opportunities for rate efficiencies, added value, bonus inventory, sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
• Support annual and quarterly commercial negotiations and ensure adherence to agreed commercial frameworks.
• Partner with finance and operations teams to ensure accurate billing, reconciliations and closure of campaigns.
• Analyse investment and campaign data to identify delivery gaps, efficiency opportunities and areas for optimisation.
• Track key investment metrics including spends, CPRP, CPM, reach, GRPs, frequency, inventory utilisation and delivery.
• Prepare regular investment reports and provide actionable recommendations to Planning and Client Leadership teams.
• Leverage WPP Open, data platforms and other planning/investment tools to improve efficiency and decision-making.
• Partner closely with Planning and Client Leadership teams to translate strategic recommendations into effective investment solutions.
• Present investment recommendations, market intelligence and commercial opportunities to internal and client stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships with media owners, broadcasters, publishers and platform partners.
• Coordinate with multiple internal stakeholders to ensure smooth campaign execution and timely resolution of issues.
• Proactively highlight investment risks, delivery challenges and optimisation opportunities.
• Mentor and guide junior team members on media investment, negotiations, market understanding and campaign execution.
• Support the team in building strong investment practices, governance and operational discipline.
• Collaborate with specialist teams across WPP Media to develop integrated solutions for clients.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing around market trends, media innovations, investment benchmarks and best practices.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Advertising or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in media investment, buying, trading or integrated media.
• Strong experience in offline media investment, particularly TV, with exposure to digital media.
• Experience working across multiple media channels and managing integrated investment mandates.
• Proven experience in media negotiations, commercial management, inventory planning and campaign execution.
• Strong understanding of BARC, CPRP, GRPs, reach, frequency and other media investment metrics.
• Strong hands-on experience in TV investment and buying, including BARC, GRPs, reach, frequency and CPRP.
• Good understanding of Print, Radio, OOH and other traditional media investments.
• Working knowledge of digital media ecosystems including Google, Meta, YouTube, Programmatic and OTT.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with broadcasters, publishers and media partners.
• Ability to analyse investment data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Strong understanding of media rates, inventory, value-adds, negotiations and campaign reconciliation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across Planning, Client Leadership, Digital, Data & Analytics and Operations teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency in media planning, investment and reporting tools.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with WPP Open and AI-enabled media tools.
• Experience working with leading media agencies, broadcasters, publishers or media platforms.
• Experience across sectors such as FMCG, Automotive, Technology, Consumer Durables or Telecom.
• Exposure to data-driven planning, audience intelligence and AI-enabled investment tools.

Details

• Location: Gurgaon, India.
• Work mode: hybrid, with teams in the office around four days a week.
• Reports into Planning and Client Leadership teams and works across Planning, Client Leadership, Digital, Data & Analytics and media partners.