Job Description

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, visitWPP.com

The Role

The Global Resource & Capacity Lead ensures that our global talent capacity is deployed as a strategic asset across our dual-speed squad-based operating model. This is not a traffic management role; it is a strategic workforce planning function.

This role is responsible for building and managing the systems that forecast utilisation, balance resourcing, and prevent team burnout. This is a critical operational role that ensures we can deliver sustainably and profitably, linking all departments and requiring strong, trusted relationships at every level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage advanced capacity models to provide accurate, long-term utilisation forecasting and resource planning across all teams and markets, predicting pinch points and informing hiring decisions.

• Define and manage the strategic balance between fixed and flexible resourcing (freelance) to optimise for both efficiency and specialist capability.

• Lead regular resource meetings with department heads, using data to identify clashes and solve resource problems proactively.

• Implement and govern strategies for burnout prevention and proactive surge planning to manage periods of high demand without compromising wellbeing or quality.

• Own the resource management platform and processes, championing and policing its use to ensure utilisation and timesheets are accurately recorded, providing a clear view of capacity and profitability.

• Manage all aspects of freelancers, from identifying and booking talent to ensuring appropriate sign-off, managing onboarding, and tracking spend against budget.

• Work closely with finance to ensure appropriate and effective use of the budget.

Key Skills

• Workforce Planning. Proven experience in a workforce planning or resourcing leadership role within a complex, fast-paced global organisation.

• Analytical & Commercial Judgement. Strong analytical skills combined with sharp commercial judgement to manage capacity, forecast utilisation, and make data-driven resourcing decisions.

• Strategic Resourcing. Ability to balance fixed vs. flexible resourcing models to prevent burnout and plan effectively for surge capacity requirements.

• Relationship Building. Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build strong, trusting relationships and influence people at all levels of the organisation.

• Innovation & AI Fluency. Expertise in using data and AI-powered tools, such as WPP Open, for predictive capacity modelling, utilisation forecasting, and optimising resource deployment across a dual-speed operating model.

T&P, part of 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.