Principal Data Analyst

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.    For more information, visit WPP.com. [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwpp.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CErica.Durr%40wpp.com%7C9bf4566a65bc46a48ac008de749116ea%7C150b5e663d884dee83f6ed149b727a00%7C0%7C0%7C639076363668176216%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q9juosud56XGLThSFZ1NpPZd6FXpJPxV74OeRZWoh%2B4%3D&reserved=0]   Why we're hiring: At WPP, technology is at the heart of everything we do, and it is WPP Enterprise Technology’s mission to enable everyone to collaborate, create, and thrive. WPP Enterprise Technology is undergoing a significant transformation to build the platform that will power the next evolution of WPP. We are clarifying and simplifying our operating models, modernising colleague experiences, and creating an open, integrated technology innovation platform globally. We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Senior Product Manager to join our Global Products, People, and Finance team, working in the UK which is the key hub for our forecasting initiative and interacting closely with APAC, LATAM, EMEA and NTAM. In this elevated leadership role, you will own the global product strategy, global and regional roadmap, appropriate localisation of software considering global direction and execution of our Adaptive Planning instances across the Globe. Reporting directly to the Product Owner, you will manage, coach, and support at least 3 regional Product Managers and partner with business product owners in markets. You will act as the principal bridge between global financial vision, global business requirements, and technical deployment, ensuring that WPP's media agencies possess robust, agile, and forward-looking forecasting and financial planning capabilities. What you'll be doing: People Leadership & Regional Management •    Direct Management: Lead, mentor, and build high-performance capabilities within Product Managers based across the globe, aligning their roadmaps to the global product vision. •    Enable Team Success: Ensure the product managers in the team can work effectively and independently so that the Lead Product Manager and the business stakeholders have confidence in the regional and local delivery. •    Global Collaboration: Work in lockstep with the Product Owner to translate overarching corporate financial initiatives into global, regional and local execution strategies. •    Matrix Collaboration: Motivate and engage globally-dispersed cross-functional teams, local project managers, product owners in other areas e.g. DataBridge, and third-party vendors to deliver consistent, unified systems. Product Strategy & Roadmap Ownership •    Strategic Roadmap: Establish and champion the global product roadmap for Workday Adaptive Planning, effectively balancing high-priority global financial mandates with local market-specific requirements. •    Value Realization: Drive the business case for change, highlighting clear return on investment (ROI) and capability progression to executive stakeholders, according to success measures for the product agreed with these stakeholders. •    Lifecycle Management: Oversight of the end-to-end lifecycle of features, from initial discovery and regional proof-of-concept to global-scale deployment. Technical Expertise & Solution Delivery •    Advanced Architecture Alignment: Work closely with Solution Architects and Enterprise IT to ensure Adaptive integrations with other major ERPs (e.g., Workday Core, Dynamics 365, Mediaocean) are secure, scalable, compliant, and fit for purpose. •    Requirements Oversight: Act as the senior escalation point for translating highly complex financial forecasting requirements into clean, structured technical specifications. •    Quality & Automation: Partner with QA teams to drive automated testing methodologies, minimizing manual regression cycles and optimizing regional User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management •    Senior Stakeholder Management: Build trusted, influential relationships with executive-level stakeholders across Finance, People, Investment, and Agency operations. •    Advocacy & Adoption: Direct regional change management programs in partnership with implementation teams, ensuring high user adoption and robust training frameworks. •    Data Storytelling: Turn complex financial forecasting data patterns and tool capabilities into compelling business-value narratives to the executive stakeholders e.g. regional CFO’s. What you'll need: Desired Skills and Experiences: •    Scale & Scope: Proven track record of successful product delivery and system scaling in a global, matrixed enterprise (prior agency or media holding company experience is highly desirable). •    Tooling Mastery: In-depth expertise in Workday Adaptive Planning (Adaptive Insights) alongside a solid understanding of broader ERP ecosystems (e.g., Workday Financials, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Mediaocean). •    Agile Leadership: Strong command of Agile practices (Scrum, Kanban). Experience acting as a Senior Product Owner or Lead within a scaled Agile framework is a plus. •    Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of corporate financial accounting, multi-currency revenue forecasting, invoicing processes, and media advertising business models. •    Analytical Capability: Solid familiarity with modern data analytics, reporting tools, and data warehousing architectures. Personal Attributes: •    Strategic Leader: A self-starter with excellent organizational skills, focused heavily on business value, outcomes, and driving team ownership. •    Brilliant Communicator: Outstanding presentation and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to explain complex financial/technical concepts simply to diverse business groups. •    Adaptable & Resilient: Thrives in a rapidly shifting corporate environment, with the capacity to pivot strategies and realign roadmaps without sacrificing project momentum. •    Inclusive & Collaborative: Dedicated to fostering cross-functional alignment and building consensus across culturally diverse teams in EMEA and APAC Experience & Qualifications: •    5+ years in a Product Management role, with at least 3 years focused on developing, deploying, or integrating financial forecasting/ERP technology solutions (e.g., Adaptive, Workday, Dynamics). •    1-2 years of experience in a direct team leadership, people management, or regional lead capacity. •    Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related technical/analytical field (or equivalent practical experience). •    Certifications: Recognized Agile (CSPO, PMI-ACP, SAFe), Workday or Project Management certifications are highly beneficial. 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? #LI-Hybrid  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. PLEASE READ OUR PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.WPP.COM/EN/CAREERS/WPP-PRIVACY-POLICY-FOR-RECRUITMENT [https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment]) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.

ABOUT BARINGA  Baringa is a global consulting firm that partners with leaders to drive change and create value. With deep industry expertise, and enabled by advanced technology, the firm helps clients to deliver with greater confidence and certainty. With over 2,000 people across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, the firm combines global insight with local understanding. The firm works across energy and resources, financial services, government and public sector, consumer products and retail, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, manufacturing, and technology, media and telecoms, with capabilities spanning strategy, transformation and operational excellence – all powered by advanced technology, data, AI and digital innovation. Clients value Baringa’s collaborative approach and the way its teams integrate seamlessly – all working with a shared understanding of what matters most. The firm is known for its kind, curious experts who listen closely and care deeply about client success as they help clients transform energy markets, modernise financial platforms, expand telecoms and digital networks through advanced data analytics, enable digital services in government, and unlock growth in consumer sectors. Certified as a Great Place to Work around the world, Baringa has been recognised by the Financial Times in 22 categories of its UK Leading Management Consultants rankings, and by Forbes for four consecutive years as one of the World’s Best Management Consulting Firms. OUR GLOBAL PEOPLE FUNCTION ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED HR BUSINESS PARTNER TO JOIN THEM. We have a team of dedicated and talented professionals, taking responsibility for all “people” aspects of the business. This includes the whole employee life cycle, from attracting new joiners, on-boarding, development throughout their career, ensuring they work in a balanced and healthy way, supporting them when needed, enabling efficient and effective processes throughout, every day, for their entire journey at Baringa.  As we continue to grow organically, we need to ensure our people offerings are set up to enable the future size and shape of the business to operate effectively and efficiently, using the appropriate tools. Supporting the ever-evolving business needs and being a key player in the change management of the firm, is a core part of this role. WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING * Be the principal HRBP for one or more sectors within our Consulting business, looking after the full breadth of their people agenda. * HRBP roles at Baringa are very broad, so there will be plenty of scope to operate across a range of people activities, including workforce planning, talent and succession, leadership capability, performance and development, employee relations, employee engagement, reward, promotions and people insights. * Develop and own sector-specific People Plans for your client groups and be accountable for ensuring progress against these, including engaging with other parts of the People function, such as Reward, Recruitment and L&D, to deliver outcomes. * Build trusted relationships and provide support and advice to Partner Leads in helping them deliver the people elements of their business plans. You will work closely with your People Sponsor Partner and Sector Lead as key stakeholders to help shape and enable the people elements of sector strategy. * Use people insights, data and feedback to identify risks, opportunities and emerging priorities, helping to inform decision-making and people interventions across your sector(s). * Support organisational change and transformation activity within your client group(s), helping leaders navigate change and manage people impacts effectively. * Support leaders and people managers on a range of people matters, including organisational effectiveness, talent, engagement, performance and development, helping to ensure teams are set up for success. * You will be managing an HR Advisor who provides support across multiple sectors. * You are likely to support some colleagues outside the UK, and you will need to be able to flex your approach to accommodate different cultures and jurisdictional requirements. This role reports directly into the Head of the Global HRBP team, and interfaces with Partners and senior leaders across the business.  You will live and breathe our values and be a great role-model for our culture and behaviours. YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE * Significant HR Business Partner experience, ideally gained within a professional services, consulting or partnership environment, with a track record of partnering with senior leaders to deliver business and people outcomes. * Experience operating across complex client groups or sectors, with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with supporting diverse and evolving business needs. * Deep employee relations expertise, including managing complex and sensitive cases independently and providing pragmatic, risk-based advice that balances legal, commercial and people considerations. * Strong knowledge of local employment legislation and market practice, with the ability to anticipate and respond to legislative changes, shaping people approaches and influencing stakeholders accordingly. * Demonstrated ability to build credibility with Partners and senior leaders, providing strategic counsel, challenge and coaching to support effective decision-making and leadership capability. * Strong organisational effectiveness and workforce planning capability, with experience translating business priorities into people strategies and interventions that drive performance, engagement and growth. * Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to navigate complexity, challenge constructively and build alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. * Operates with a high degree of autonomy, sound judgement and commercial awareness, balancing local business needs with the long-term interests and values of Baringa. * Strong project and change management skills, with the ability to lead multiple strategic people initiatives simultaneously and deliver measurable outcomes. WHAT A CAREER AT BARINGA WILL GIVE YOU  PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST. BARINGA IS A PEOPLE FIRST COMPANY AND WELLBEING IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR CULTURE. WE RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND FLEXIBLE WORKING AND PROVIDE OUR STAFF AMAZING BENEFITS. SOME OF THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE:  * Generous Annual Leave Policy: We recognise everyone needs a well-deserved break. We provide our employees with 5 weeks of annual leave, fully available at the start of each year. In addition to this, we have introduced our 5-Year Recharge benefit which allows all employees an additional 2 weeks of paid leave after 5 years continuous service.  * Flexible Working: We know that the ‘ideal’ work-life balance will vary from person to person and change at different stages of our working lives. To accommodate this, we have implemented a hybrid working policy and introduced more flexibility around taking unpaid leave.  * Corporate Responsibility Days: Our world is important to us, so all our employees get 3 every year to help social and environmental causes and increase our impact on the communities that mean the most to us.  * Wellbeing Fund: We want to encourage all employees to take charge and prioritise their own wellbeing. We’ve introduced our annual People Fund to support this by offering every individual a fund to support and manage their wellbeing through an activity of their choice.  * Profit Share Scheme: All employees participate in the Baringa Group Profit Share Scheme so everyone has a stake in the company’s success.  DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging is central to our culture and that diversity is paramount to driving creativity, innovation, and value for our clients and for our people.  AN AWARD-WINNING WORKPLACE You can be a part of our ‘Great Place to Work’ – with our commitment to women and well-being in the workplace for all. Click here [https://www.baringa.com/en/impact/awards/] to see some of our recent awards and how we’ve achieved this.  USING BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD.  We maintain high standards of environmental performance and transparency, which can be seen through our commitment to Net Zero with our SBTI-verified Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction targets and our support of the Better Business Act. We report our progress publicly and ensure that we are also externally assessed and scored through organisations like CDP and EcoVadis - helping us to continually identify where we can improve.  We have a long legacy of supporting the communities in which we work, and offer a variety of ways to contribute, by putting people first and creating impact that lasts. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda is about giving back to the communities in which we live and work by sharing our skills, talent and time. In essence, we aim to empower and encourage everyone in the firm to contribute to the things we care about, and support registered charities and organisations with a clear social or environmental purpose to increase the positive impact they can have. JOIN US All applications received will be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team. We never rely solely on automated screening or AI tools to make hiring decisions. Your application will be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, faith or social background. We do not filter applications by university background and encourage those who have taken alternative educational and career paths to apply. We would like to actively encourage applications from those who identify with less represented and minority groups. We operate an inclusive recruitment process, ensuring reasonable adjustments where needed. Please contact a member of our Recruitment Team to discuss further.   BARINGA PRIVACY NOTICES For UK & EU Your personal data will be retained by Baringa for up to two years, in accordance with our UK Recruitment Privacy Notice / [https://www.baringa.com/globalassets/careers/dp-004-ukrpn---uk-recruitment-privacy-notice-pdf.pdf]EU Recruitment Privacy Notice [https://www.baringa.com/globalassets/careers/dp-005-eurpn---eu-recruitment-privacy-notice-pdf.pdf], to evaluate your application and meet our legal and reporting obligations. In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right to request access to, rectification, or erasure (subject to legal limitations) of your personal data. For more information, please contact us at privacy@baringa.com [privacy@baringa.com] For the USA Your personal data may be retained by Baringa for up to two years, as outlined in our Recruitment Privacy Notice (AMER & APAC) [https://www.baringa.com/globalassets/careers/dp-007-nerpn-amer--apac-recruitment-privacy-notice-word.pdf], to support the recruitment process and internal reporting requirements. Where applicable, and in accordance with relevant federal and state laws, you may have the right to request access to or correction of your personal information. For further details, please contact privacy@baringa.com [privacy@baringa.com] For Australia & Singapore Your personal data will be retained by Baringa for up to two years, in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice (AMER & APAC) [https://www.baringa.com/globalassets/careers/dp-007-nerpn-amer--apac-recruitment-privacy-notice-word.pdf], to assess your application and meet applicable reporting and legal obligations. In line with the Australian Privacy Act and Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), you may have rights to access, correct, or request limited deletion of your personal data. For more information, please contact us at privacy@baringa.com [privacy@baringa.com]