WPP Media
Account Director, Programmatic
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Account Director, Programmatic - 2724
WPP Media, Wavemaker
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
This role is within Wavemaker, a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in driving best-in-class programmatic strategy, execution, and innovation across a portfolio of high-profile clients.
As a Programmatic Account Director, you will:
- Lead a team across the UK and global hubs, with full ownership of end-to-end campaign delivery.
- Play a key role in shaping programmatic strategy, driving performance outcomes, and strengthening client partnerships while ensuring operational excellence and continuous innovation.
- Collaborate closely with digital planning teams and senior stakeholders to deliver measurable business impact, maximise investment value, and grow programmatic adoption across your client portfolio.
Key Skills and Experience
Core Experience
- 5+ years’ experience in programmatic/display media planning and activation.
- Proven experience leading programmatic campaigns across multiple buying platforms (e.g., Google DV360, The Trade Desk, Amazon).
- Strong understanding of the wider digital ecosystem and the role of programmatic within integrated media strategies.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Demonstrated experience managing, coaching, and developing high-performing teams (including offshore teams).
- Strong client leadership skills, with experience building relationships at a senior level.
- Confident presenter, with experience leading:
- Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)
- Strategic reviews
- New business pitches
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Technical & Analytical Skills
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to:
- Interpret large datasets and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience building and executing robust testing frameworks:
- Audiences
- Creative
- Media
- Optimisation strategies
Campaign & Operational Excellence
- Proven ability to manage the full campaign lifecycle, from planning through reporting.
- Strong experience in:
- Improving processes
- Implementing best practices
- Driving operational efficiencies.
- High attention to detail, with a focus on:
- Quality assurance
- Financial accuracy
- Campaign performance
Commercial & Strategic Thinking
- Ability to align programmatic solutions to client business objectives.
- Experience identifying growth opportunities and driving innovation within accounts.
- Strong negotiation skills to deliver optimal value and performance outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Campaign Leadership & Delivery
- Oversee end-to-end programmatic campaign management across multiple clients.
- Ensure best-in-class activation, optimisation, and reporting standards.
- Drive innovation through:
- Testing agendas
- New formats
- Beta opportunities.
- Work closely with planning teams to develop integrated media strategies and grow programmatic investment.
Client & Partner Management
- Act as the senior programmatic lead for clients, owning strategy and performance discussions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with:
- Clients
- Media owners
- Technology partners.
- Lead key meetings, including:
- Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)
- Strategic reviews
- Planning sessions.
- Ensure client objectives are clearly understood and translated into actionable plans.
People Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of:
- Managers
- Executives
- Across markets.
- Create a high-performance culture focused on:
- Collaboration
- Learning
- Continuous improvement.
- Support career development through:
- Structured training
- Personalised development plans.
- Act as a key escalation point for:
- Team issues
- Client issues.
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Operational Excellence
- Ensure accuracy and quality across:
- Campaign setup
- Optimisation
- Reporting.
- Oversee financial processes including:
- Billing
- Reconciliation
- Forecasting.
- Improve workflows and processes to drive:
- Efficiency
- Consistency across teams.
- Maintain strong governance and compliance across all programmatic activity.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment.
WPP Media employees can:
- Tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to:
- Pursue their passions
- Grow their networks
- Learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.
- Participate in employee resource groups.
- Join frequent in-office events, including:
- Team wins showcases
- Thought leadership sessions
- Holiday and milestone celebrations.
Benefits Include:
- Competitive medical, group retirement, vision, and dental insurance.
- Significant paid time off.
- Preferential partner discounts.
- Employee mental health awareness days.
Important Notes
- Equal Opportunity Employer: WPP Media considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, where everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunity to progress in their careers.
- Hybrid Work Model: We believe the best work happens when we are together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. Teams are in the office around four days a week. Flexibility and accommodations can be discussed during the interview process.
- UK-Based Role: Requires the right to work in the UK.
- Privacy: Please read our Privacy Notice for how we process the information you provide.
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