About this role

About Ogilvy Ogilvy has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy more than 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity—innovating at the intersection of intelligence, imagination and influence, with experts across advertising, sports & entertainment, PR & social, consulting, and health collaborating seamlessly across more than 120 offices spanning 90 countries.

Ogilvy was named Network of the Year at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC for the fourth consecutive year, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, visit Ogilvy.com , and follow us on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and Facebook. 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 . Role Overview: Wilson Hartnell is seeking an exceptional and visionary Head of Sport to lead our market-leading Sports business. This pivotal role represents a key strategic growth area for the agency in 2026 and beyond. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Sport will be responsible for leading an award-winning team to deliver market-leading, world-class work.

The successful candidate will be accountable for the practice’s commercial targets, spearhead new business development and organic growth, foster a spirit of innovation to ensure our work consistently breaks new ground, and maintain impeccable operational standards. Deep expertise across a wide range of sports, coupled with a proven ability to unlock significant value for brands by leveraging sports platforms, is essential.

Additionally, and crucially, this leader will champion and accelerate the adoption and maturation of AI within the team to create the best work of our lives. Key Responsibilities: Strategy & Business Development • Develop, articulate, and champion a proactive growth strategy for the Sport practice, ensuring it aligns with the wider agency vision and leverages the unique strengths of the team and global network. • Design and execute a robust business development programme focused on identifying and securing new, significant, and potentially unchartered revenue streams from both new and existing clients.

• Drive sustained organic growth within the existing client portfolio, identifying opportunities for expanded services and innovative solutions. • Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities within and across Wilson Hartnell and Ogilvy and WPP network offices and practice areas. • Provide visionary leadership in developing and presenting compelling new business programmes and proposals, positioning Wilson Hartnell as the definitive choice in sports marketing.

• Ensure the team contributes innovative and strategic ideas, recommendations, and concepts that differentiate our proposals. • Present and discuss the agency’s capabilities with authority, grounded in deep knowledge of industry cases, products, and services within the sports sector. • Represent and profile the agency’s capabilities at industry events, in thought leadership and speaking opportunities. Leadership & People Management • Lead, inspire, and mentor an award-winning team, fostering a high-performance culture that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Act as a positive influence, role model, and mentor for direct reports and the wider agency, investing in their professional growth and development. • Be heavily involved in the recruitment of top-tier talent, ensuring the practice is optimally resourced and capabilities are continuously enhanced. • Manage performance appraisals, provide constructive feedback, and identify strengths and development areas for team members, nurturing their career paths.

• Ensure that the team robustly engages in the company’s career conversation tool to enable their growth and development. • Apply best practice thinking and solution to empower the team and individuals to achieve their full potential. • Delegate effectively, empowering team members while maintaining oversight of quality and adherence to strategic objectives. • Cultivate strong, trusted relationships with senior clients, positioning oneself as a key advisor and industry leader.

• Successfully manage any people related issues that may arise in a timely fashion. • Ensure the team lives and embraces the company values. • Manage staff to maximise productivity and individual, team, and financial performance. Commercial Performance & Financial Management • Accountable for developing, delivering, and exceeding the annual commercial targets for the Sport practice. • Ensure that commercial ratios and profitability are consistently maintained in line with annual targets.

• Develop accurate project budgets, monitor financial performance effectively, and oversee the timely development and distribution of invoices and activity reports. • Contribute robustly to agency-wide financial forecasting and projections. • Ensure all team members meet their individual billing targets and strictly adhere to company financial policies and procedures. • Be fully aware of, and understand, our contractual agreements and their impact on consultancy procedures and client engagement.

Innovation & World-Class Work • Champion a culture of innovation, ensuring that our work consistently breaks new ground, challenges conventions, and stands out amongst the competition. • Spearhead the strategic adoption and maturation of AI on the team, identifying and implementing cutting-edge tools and methodologies to enhance creative output, drive efficiencies, gain deeper insights, and ultimately help us create the best work of our lives.

• Oversee the development and execution of marketing-leading, world-class campaigns that deliver measurable and transformative impact for clients within the sports landscape. • Ensure all brand activity follows agreed strategic objectives and leverages the unique power and reach of diverse sports platforms. Operations & Governance • Ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Sport practice in full accordance with company policies, procedures, and proper governance.

• Routinely develop and implement effective solutions where problems or challenges arise, leveraging the talents of colleagues when appropriate. • Direct and facilitate effective contributions to team, staff, and client meetings. • Embody the values of Wilson Hartnell in day-to-day behaviour. • Continuously seek new ways to learn and improve both personally and for the practice. Client & Account Management • Act as the client’s primary strategic contact for key accounts, ensuring that agency points of contact grow over time and clients are comfortable engaging with more junior staff on day-to-day matters.

• Develop and manage complex projects and/or year-long client programmes, including comprehensive implementation plans, robust evaluation mechanisms, strategic staffing plans, budgets, and timelines. • Ensure compliance with industry guidelines and regulations and keep up to date with the changing regulatory environment and its implications on our work and what and how we deliver for clients. • Possess a demonstrable ability to unlock significant value for brands by expertly leveraging diverse sports platforms to achieve their specific business objectives.

• Set and manage client expectations proactively and effectively. • Lead and input into a portfolio of key accounts or major projects, directing the delegation of the da

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