Planning Manager (EM), Japan

About the Position

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.

We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.

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.

Position Title: Planning Manager (EM), Japan

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Department: Planning

Reports To: Director/ Associate Director

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Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Performance

• Apply strong knowledge of Japan’s digital marketing and media landscape.
• Support the development of digital communication strategies and media plans, with a focus on lower-funnel performance campaigns.
• Use data and analysis to develop actionable recommendations and optimize campaign performance.
• Collaborate with creative and publisher partners on innovative campaign solutions.
• Build and manage relationships with key media partners and vendors.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build trusted relationships with clients and act as a strategic partner in achieving their business objectives.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams-including channel leads, biddable and programmatic specialists, and localization teams-to ensure effective campaign delivery.
• Anticipate client needs and establish processes to meet or exceed expectations.
• Lead relevant sections of client meetings, business reviews, and performance presentations.
• Keep clients informed of the latest paid social best practices, platforms, content, and tools.

Campaign Operations, Measurement & Optimization

• Lead the planning, buying, negotiation, execution, and optimization of campaigns in line with client briefs.
• Partner with team leaders and strategy teams to develop high-quality campaign strategies, plans, and rationale.
• Oversee campaign setup, tracking, audience targeting, measurement, and third-party verification.
• Lead campaign reporting and analysis, translating performance data into actionable optimization recommendations.
• Maintain accurate campaign status updates and communicate progress to clients in a timely and structured manner.
• Brief media partners, review proposals, and ensure recommendations align with campaign objectives.
• Deliver competitive reviews and market insights to inform future campaigns.

Team Contribution

• Mentor and guide junior team members.
• Escalate significant performance issues promptly and support their resolution.
• Contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of the team’s work.

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Requirements

Skills & Competencies

• Be an advocate of continuous improvement, enthusiastic and positive with a “Can Do” attitude.
• Deliver best practice day-to-day project management.
• Flags up any serious performance issues immediately and seek help to manage them accordingly.

Education, Skills, and Behaviors

• 5+ years progressive experience in digital marketing/media.
• 3+ years of senior experience on a similar role.
• Ideally, a degree in a business, numerical, or analytical degree (e.g., economics, mathematics, statistics, or engineering).
• Numerate and analytical.
• Bilingual preferred; Japanese and English; with fluency in one language and business communication in the other.
• PC literate (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• The ability to delegate, coordinate between groups and departments, and convincingly sell strategies, initiatives, and ideas.

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We Offer

• Hybrid work approach with teams in the office around four days a week.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment.

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About the Company

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.

For more information, visit WPP.com.

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