WPP Media
Director, Media Activation, GCS

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2283 - Director, Media Activation, GCS
Role Summary and Impact
Join a high-performing, experienced team leading digital strategy for some of the world’s most iconic beauty brands. As Director, Implementation Planning for The Estée Lauder Companies, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating digital and data transformation across a prestigious portfolio including Estée Lauder, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Tom Ford, Jo Malone London and more.
This role requires a digitally fluent leader with deep cross-channel performance expertise across Search, Social and Programmatic, and a strong understanding of Direct-to-Consumer growth in the beauty sector. You will connect brand-building ambition with in-market activation, using data, technology and audience insight to deliver measurable business outcomes. Working across brands with distinct identities and objectives, you will shape the evolution of ELC’s digital marketing output and help build an operating model that consistently delivers best-in-class work.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic and commercial leadership: Lead the evolution of the Implementation Planning offer for the ELC portfolio, identifying growth opportunities, shaping digital transformation priorities and owning the commercial plan across multiple brands.
- Cross-channel performance planning: Develop integrated digital roadmaps across Search, Social and Programmatic, ensuring D2C performance plans work seamlessly alongside brand-building activity and reflect the commercial ambition of each brand.
- Data, technology and forecasting: Assess ELC’s digital maturity, create clear growth roadmaps and use advanced tools, forecasting models and dashboards to connect platform performance, GA4 metrics and business outcomes.
- Test-and-learn culture: Design and embed a rigorous testing agenda for the beauty category, ensuring learnings are captured, shared and applied across brands, launches and future planning cycles.
- Audience-centric portfolio planning: Define and engage high-value beauty audiences using first-, second- and third-party data strategies, adapting approaches across luxury, prestige and volume-driving brand priorities.
- Collaboration and innovation: Partner upstream with Strategy and Comms Planning teams, and downstream with Activation, AdTech and Data specialists, to turn strategic ambition into credible, executable and innovative digital plans.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Skills and Experience
- Significant digital planning leadership experience across Search, Social and Programmatic, ideally within complex multi-brand, retail, FMCG or beauty environments.
- Strong D2C and strategic capability, with the ability to translate brand and commercial objectives into detailed, actionable digital plans.
- Advanced analytical and technical understanding, including experience using GA4, platform data, forecasting tools, ad technology and measurement frameworks to inform decisions.
- Excellent client and stakeholder leadership, with the confidence to present complex media strategies, build trusted relationships and influence senior audiences.
- A curious, commercial and progressive mindset, with a passion for the beauty category, innovation, AI-enabled capability and continuous improvement.
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 the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.


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We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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. Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.
Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location
Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.
While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
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