About the role

<div class="content-intro">About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. WPP Media is WPP s AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working. For more information, visit <a href="wppmedia.com">wppmedia.com</a>.</div>2096 - Business Director, Innovation - UK Role Summary and Impact About WPP 650 Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country. Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant. You ll tackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do. It s demanding - but always rewarding. This is meaningful work with real-world impact - the kind you can point to with pride. The advertising industry is in the midst of the biggest multi-generational communications shift in history. CMOs and public sector leaders are mastering two critical transformations: delivering a data, technology & AI-powered future, and moving beyond paid advertising. Organizations must shift from interrupting people with ads to engaging people with highly relevant, trust-building experiences. WPP Media is establishing The Experience Capability, a transformational offering that sits at the heart of integrated ESOP (Earned, Shared, Owned, Paid) strategies. This capability creates and integrates experiences across Platforms, Applied Innovation, DCO, Creators, and Creative Excellence to unlock growth for our clients most pressing business challenges. We are seeking a Business Director (BD), Innovation to serve as the key strategic and operational driver for our flagship UK Government account (WPP 650). Reporting directly to the VP, Innovation, this role is instrumental in developing breakthrough innovation strategies, designing cutting-edge thought-leadership frameworks, and translating complex technology/media trends into actionable public-sector campaigns. You will work closely with multi-disciplinary planners and strategists across the entire WPP 650 team. Crucially, you will act as a key collaborative bridge—partnering with Citizen Consultancy and Behavioural Science specialists to ground creative technology in deep audience understanding, integrating DE&I frameworks to ensure innovations are accessible and representative, operationalising the implementation of innovation with Activation, Data, Tech & Analysis teams, and coordinating with dedicated Hub teams to turn strategies into high-impact public service campaigns. A core component of this leadership role is the direct line management, mentorship, and development of 1 Account Manager, while driving a culture of creative, evidence-based experimentation across our client-facing teams. <h4>Skills and Experience</h4> This leader will possess a potent mix of strategic sharpness, creative curiosity, and operational discipline. They will be highly skilled at taking abstract emerging technology trends and framing them into practical, highly structured briefs that solve immediate government communication challenges. The role demands exceptional interpersonal skills, high EQ, and organizational agility. You will navigate a complex, multi-department government landscape, building trusted relationships with senior civil servants, GCS (Government Communication Service) leads, and diverse internal agency capabilities. You must be comfortable presenting in client boardrooms and skilled at simplifying complex concepts into clear, persuasive, inclusive, and award-worthy narratives. <h4>Key Requirements:</h4> <ul> <li>Strategy, creative, or technology-driven planning experience within a leading media agency, digital shop, or innovation consultancy.</li> <li>Strong strategic and analytical thinker with a deep understanding of digital media, experience design (CX), and emerging technologies (such as Applied AI, conversational interfaces, and immersive formats).</li> <li>Proven track record in strategy development—specifically in turning cultural insights and technological trends into multi-channel communication strategies.</li> <li>Collaborative mindset with experience working alongside specialized divisions, such as behavioral scientists, qualitative research consultancies, and DE&I advisory specialists.</li> <li>Direct report management experience with a passionate approach to mentoring junior talent, fostering their skills in strategic thinking and creative application.</li> <li>Impeccable presentation and storytelling ski