About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

The Role

The Operational Excellence & Enablement Lead drives the continuous improvement of our business-as-usual (BAU) operations. They are responsible for systematically identifying and eliminating delivery friction, optimising processes, and institutionalising learnings to prevent operational debt.

This is a proactive role, focused not just on fixing what is broken, but on architecting a more resilient, efficient, and intelligent operating model for the future. This role ensures that our operating model evolves and improves over time, becoming progressively faster and more efficient.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives focused on process optimisation and the systematic reduction of cycle-times across all workflows.

• Define and govern the intake and prioritisation rules to ensure effort is allocated correctly and aligned with the client’s strategic priorities, and preventing scope creep.

• Create and manage a framework for institutionalising delivery learnings including the facilitation of post-project reviews, and the updating of process playbooks to embed best practices and prevent repeated errors.

• Act as a change management champion for all new operational processes and tools, ensuring they are understood, adopted, and effectively utilised across the global team.

• Develop and deliver training and enablement materials that empower teams with the skills and knowledge to excel within our integrated operating model.

• Establish metrics and dashboards to track operational health, such as cycle times, rework rates, and process compliance, providing regular reports to leadership.

• Drive collaboration between departments to identify and share efficiencies, promoting a culture where continuous improvement is everyone's responsibility.

Key Skills

Operational Excellence. Proven experience in an operational excellence, enablement, or transformation-focused role, with a passion for continuous improvement.

Process Optimisation. Demonstrable ability to analyse complex global processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement effective optimisations to reduce cycle times.

Continuous Improvement Mindset. An understanding of business transformation with a focus on institutionalising learnings, building feedback loops, and driving a culture of continuous improvement where team members feel empowered to suggest improvements.

Communication & Influence. The ability to build trust and influence senior stakeholders to adopt new ways of working and champion a culture of excellence.

Innovation & AI Fluency. A passion for using AI and automation tools, like those within WPP Open, to identify optimisation opportunities, refine intake and prioritisation rules, and embed a culture of data-driven operational excellence.

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.