Senior Manager, Data Strategy

About WPP Media

WPP is a trusted partner to leading global brands, leveraging exceptional talent, reliable data intelligence, and premier partnerships through its innovative marketing platform, WPP Open. This enables clients to navigate shifts, seize opportunities, and drive transformational growth. WPP Media is the AI-powered media unit fusing media, data, and partnerships to scale creative personalization. It connects via WPP Open and uses Open Intelligence to clearly demonstrate media investment effectiveness.

Role Summary and Scope

The Senior Manager, Data Strategy, supports Media Futures Group (MFG) teams by translating data and AI capabilities into actionable campaign strategy, planning, and activation improvements. This regional hybrid role oversees regional APAC data strategy workstreams (~60%) and delivers AI strategy support (~40%) specifically for Greater China (China and Taiwan).

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead APAC regional data strategy efforts by synthesizing first-party and external data into activation audiences.
• Guide campaign teams on leveraging first-party data within strategic, planning, and activation phases, respecting platform, privacy, and governance standards.
• Promote adoption of first-party data tools and machine learning through consulting, training, and ongoing support.
• Develop internal educational resources covering machine learning frameworks, data tools, use cases, and activation best practices.
• Create clear guidance, playbooks, and workflows to translate complex data capabilities for media practitioners.
• Monitor and report APAC's progress contributing to global first-party data initiatives.
• Collect market feedback, identify capability gaps, and collaborate with specialists to enhance tools and processes.
• Support execution of AI strategy under Associate Director, AI Strategy, APAC, focusing on Greater China priorities and localized needs including language and cultural aspects.
• Design and facilitate AI workshops and training tailored to China and Taiwan cross-functional teams.
• Partner with local MFG leads and Google stakeholders to identify AI use cases, overcome adoption challenges, and advise on high-impact campaigns.
• Manage AI adoption monitoring, usage governance, and reporting in Greater China.
• Architect and pilot custom AI tools or agents to suit local market requirements not addressed by regional solutions.
• Apply measurement frameworks assessing impact, quality, efficiency, and campaign value of AI adoption.

Success Metrics

• Within 3 months: Establish strong networks with APAC data leaders, AI Strategy team, Greater China practice teams, Google contacts, and global partners; assess first-party data and AI adoption baselines; assume ownership of reporting and tracking.
• Within 6 months: Support priority campaigns in audience segmentation from data sources; deliver regional education on data and AI tools; enable AI adoption in Greater China with compliance monitoring; launch at least one localized AI solution pilot.
• Within 12 months: Demonstrate increased first-party data adoption and capability; provide reliable APAC data reporting for global initiatives; expand AI usage in Greater China with measurable benefits; share scalable data and AI best practices.

Experience and Qualifications

• Over 5 years in media, advertising, data or audience strategy, marketing technology, or related fields.
• Proven use of first-party and external data for media strategy, planning, or activation.
• Experience leading multi-team or multi-market technology adoption or capability development initiatives.
• Deep understanding of Greater China's media and marketing ecosystem; experience supporting China and Taiwan is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.

Technical Proficiencies

• Solid understanding of first-party data strategy, audience segmentation, activation use cases, including privacy and governance.
• Strong analytical skills to convert complex data and performance info into actionable insights and reports.
• Practical knowledge of generative AI, AI agents, and their application to marketing and media workflows.
• Hands-on experience with platforms like WPP Open, Gemini, or similar AI, media, and data tools.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering, agent evaluation, responsible AI governance, and deployment lifecycle from pilot to scale.
• Ability to scope AI use cases, collaborate with technical specialists, and communicate adoption impact clearly.

Leadership and Personal Traits

• Ability to connect data capabilities with practical audience and campaign decisions.
• Skilled at enabling teams by simplifying data, machine learning, and AI concepts through training and support.
• Effective collaborator across media, data, tech, and market teams with strong influencing skills without direct authority.
• Highly organized, managing multiple regional reporting, enablement, and delivery workflows concurrently.
• Culturally fluent, adapting approaches effectively to Greater China's language and operational context; professional English and Chinese fluency preferred.
• Adaptable and comfortable in fast-evolving data, tool, and governance environments.

Company Culture and Benefits

WPP Media is committed to employee growth and responsible media investment. Employees benefit from global networks, learning opportunities, resource groups, in-office events, competitive medical and dental insurance, paid time off, partner discounts, and mental health awareness days. The company fosters an inclusive culture valuing respect and equal career advancement opportunities.

The work model is hybrid with approximately four days in the office weekly, promoting creativity and collaboration. Flexibility accommodations can be discussed during interviews.

Additional Information

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to respect and inclusion. Candidate privacy is safeguarded per company privacy policies. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.