WPP

Transformation Lead

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities. Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore. WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500. Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. Why we're hiring: The Director of Transformation will lead the change and execution of a global transformation to an end-to-end, data-informed, agentic-first marketing platform, bringing together work management, creative, media, and production into a single, cohesive operating model. This role will establish and run the Transformation Management Office (TMO) and act as the strategic technology partner to business and client teams. The Director will define the transformation vision, architect the future state, and drive adoption through pilots, change enablement, and continuous improvement—ensuring the platform delivers measurable business impact. What you'll be doing: Transformation Leadership & Governance Establish and lead the Transformation Management Office (TMO), setting standards, governance, and cadence for delivery Own the end-to-end transformation vision, ensuring alignment with business strategy, client needs, and technology direction Act as a senior advisor and thought partner to executive stakeholders across business, technology, data, and enablement Vision, Strategy & Roadmap Define and document AS-IS processes across work management, creative, media, and production Design the Target State operating model and articulate a clear North Star for an integrated, agentic marketing platform Develop a multi-year transformation roadmap, balancing quick wins with foundational change Translate vision into clear initiatives, milestones, and outcomes Technology & Agentic Enablement Serve as the technology partner to business and client teams, bridging strategy and execution Guide the adoption of AI- and agent-based capabilities to automate, augment, and optimize marketing workflows Ensure platforms are data-led by design, enabling real-time decisioning, performance measurement, and personalization Partner closely with technology and data teams to ensure scalable, secure, and future-proof solutions Delivery, Pilots & Adoption Drive test-and-learn pilots to validate new ways of working, tools, and agentic capabilities Oversee change management, training, and enablement to embed transformation into day-to-day operations Collect and synthesize user feedback to inform platform evolution and continuous improvement Ensure consistent adoption across regions, teams, and client engagements Performance & Value Realisation Define and track KPIs and business outcomes for the transformation and TMO teams Measure value creation across efficiency, speed-to-market, quality, and client impact Use insights to continuously refine the roadmap and investment priorities What you'll need: Required 10+ years’ experience leading large-scale business or operating model transformations Management consulting background, with proven experience driving complex, cross-functional change Strong marketing industry experience, ideally across creative, media, production, or marketing operations Hands-on experience with AI, automation, and agent-based systems applied to business workflows Solid technology and data literacy, with the ability to engage deeply with architects, engineers, and data teams Preferred Experience leading global or multi-market transformations Exposure to martech, work management platforms, media platforms, or content supply chains Experience working with enterprise clients in a platform- or product-led environment Skills & Capabilities Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable plans Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills Comfortable operating at the intersection of business, technology, data, and AI Proven change leader with a pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset Highly analytical, with a bias toward data-driven decision making Curious, adaptable, and energized by emerging technologies and new ways of working Success Measures Clear adoption of the target operating model across marketing functions Measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and speed enabled by the platform Successful deployment and scaling of agentic and AI-enabled capabilities Strong business and client satisfaction with the transformed marketing ecosystem Who you are: You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working. You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected. You're extraordinary: We are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day. What we'll give you: Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry. Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge? The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details. $100,000—$230,000 USD 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. WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular 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. 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