WPP Media
Account Director, Programmatic
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2806 – Account Director, Programmatic
About WPP Media
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.
WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.
For more information, visit wppmedia.com.
Role Summary and Impact
EssenceMediacom, part of WPP, is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy — built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.
The Role
The Programmatic Account Director will have extensive, proven, and detailed knowledge and experience in Programmatic and DSP implementations. Striving to deliver excellence in campaign activation and is responsible for providing day-to-day leadership of their campaigns.
You will ensure ongoing and timely optimisation is delivered whilst constantly looking for opportunities to improve campaign performance. You will also be responsible for:
- Collating spend forecasts
- Creating and monitoring campaigns to deliver on planned targets
- Focusing on in-depth analysis, trend spotting, accurate execution, and leading and developing a team
Key Responsibilities
Campaign Management
- Build effective media plans to organize campaign actions and goals
- Oversee and ensure best-in-class campaign activation across relevant accounts
- Ensure campaigns are operating at the highest standard
- Deliver the highest quality output for clients
- Take a proactive role in supervising campaign activation and optimisation
- Provide support to GOC, executives, and managers across clients
- Create templates and proven methodologies for optimisation approaches for:
- Key trading tactics
- Optimisation logs
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Client and Partner Management
- Build strong, effective relationships with clients
- Demonstrate an understanding of the media and technology developments that influence clients' businesses
- Drive revenue growth by spotting:
- New optimisation opportunities
- Services or products
- Delivering excellent results
- Develop strong relationships with:
- Media owners
- Other service providers
- Select the most appropriate suppliers for campaigns
- Understand products and solutions relevant for clients developed within the group
People Management
- Motivate and train individuals within the team
- Be a key stakeholder in the development of junior staff
- Support and nurture:
- Junior and GOC employees
- Ensure their training and development needs are evaluated and fulfilled
- Clearly outline tasks and objectives with the Programmatic Associate Director
- Include specific deliverables and timelines for progression
- Demonstrate great teamwork and client initiatives
- Highlight examples of Programmatic best practice to the wider team
- Contribute to department and wider agency PR and communications
Operational Excellence
- Use the appropriate tools to drive accountability in:
- Programmatic buying
- Operational efficiencies
- Actionable business insights using agreed client outputs
- Ensure financial accuracy by integrating the planning and buying process
- Reconcile spends via:
- Buying templates
- Processes
- Client terms and programmatic fees
- Maintain standards and processes throughout the end-to-end campaign lifecycle
- Proactively seek opportunities to:
- Develop understanding of the programmatic landscape
- Enhance knowledge of the latest tech platforms, vendors, and suppliers
Skills & Experience
- Passionate about programmatic activation and driving continued excellence
- Proven experience in:
- Programmatic multi-channel campaign activation and management
- Confidence in:
- Core DSPs, DV360, TTD, and Amazon
- Experience in ad serving technologies and troubleshooting tags
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships:
- Both internally and externally
- Ability to translate technical and complex points to non-technical audiences and coach others
- Ability to develop and execute comprehensive testing roadmaps in the Programmatic space:
- Audience, media, and creative
- Ability to lead and manage a hybrid team in different markets
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse backgrounds, cultures, countries
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Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and championing Growth and Development for every individual.
This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage extensive global networks to:
- Pursue passions
- Build professional connections
- Learn in cutting-edge marketing and advertising
Culture and Inclusion
We create an Open environment based on trust and respect where:
- Everyone feels they belong
- Progressing opportunities are provided
This inclusive culture is supported by:
- Employee resource groups
- In-office team wins, thought leadership events
- Celebrating holidays and milestone events
Benefits Package
Our comprehensive benefits include:
- Competitive medical insurance
- Group retirement plans
- Vision and dental insurance
- Significant paid time off
- Preferential partner discounts
- Employee mental health awareness days
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants without discrimination regarding characteristics.
Hybrid Working
- WPP Media has adopted a hybrid approach: teams in the office around four days a week
- Flexibility or accommodations can be discussed during the interview process
This role is UK-based and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.
Privacy Notice: Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for information on how we process your information.
WPP will only contact candidates selected for an interview.
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