Account Director, Paid Search (Maternity Cover)

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

About Mindshare: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Mindshare delivers Good Growth for its clients. As “Growth Architects," we drive growth that benefits all stakeholders — better for people, planet, and business — by using media with intention. This approach creates more meaningful connections with consumers, increases consumer trust in the brand, and delivers better outcomes for all stakeholders.

Role Summary and Impact

A role exists in Mindshare’s Channels and Solutions within a growing Paid Search specialist team. We are looking for an experienced Paid Search Account Director who will play an instrumental role in further development of our offering by taking ownership of the ongoing client engagement, managing a team of Paid Search AMs and AEs and support the Channel Management Partner to implement the strategic vision of the account and team. In this role, you will also work closely with other sister agencies in the network, creative agencies, data teams, PR etc.

Reporting Structure

The candidate will report into the Channel Management Partner.  Working within the Mindshare Channels and Solutions Paid Search team, they will be integral to cross channel knowledge sharing and contributing to channel integration across Mindshare Channels and Solutions. The ideal candidate will be expected to use their own initiative in setting up processes and expectations for the search team within the client hub. You will be expected to lead by example, growing the client base by upselling new services and contributing to team PR opportunities.

Responsibilities 

Developing our product

• Take ultimate responsibility for the output of your team, both client facing and operational 
• Be the central client contact for your client portfolio, dealing at Director level and above with senior management within the client and agency organization
• Apply best practice rigor to the execution of Paid Search campaigns
• Maintain a forward thinking and innovative approach in the development of paid search activity
• Attend all important internal and external client meetings; provide outstanding levels of client service in a proactive manner
• Establish strong working and communication processes with all Outcomes and digital teams to provide guidance to facilitate exceptional integrated digital campaigns
• Understanding of the services delivered by the Outcomes team, and their benefits

Raising our profile

• Keep up to date with industry developments in order to offer POVs
• Become an expert in all Paid Search services offered by Mindshare
• Build a reputation as a trusted senior advisor for internal and external stakeholders
• Play an active role in pitches, and other cross agency initiatives
• Surfacing the best work within the team and promoting this internally and externally via case study submissions / award entries etc.

Inspiring our people

• Take responsibility for your team’s development and career progression within the agency
• Review the quality of team output and take appropriate action to improve delivery
• Play an active role in the recruitment and interviewing process to build strong teams

Driving our process

• Develop ways of working that maximize client output, whilst minimizing operational input
• Ensure briefing, planning and finance processes are strictly adhered to by the team

Ensuring our profitability

• Increase Paid Search spends of existing client base, by proving the value of the channel
• Surface out-of-scope services to increase mindshare revenue streams
• Be commercially minded, ensuring effective management of available resources; maintain awareness of all scopes of work for your client portfolio

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be expected to use their own initiative in setting up processes and expectations for the search team within the client hub. You will be expected to lead by example, growing the client base by upselling new services and contributing to team PR opportunities.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

 

Essential Criteria 

• Demonstrable experience in managing large Paid Search accounts.
• Experience managing teams.
• Expert knowledge of Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, SA360
• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple stakeholders/projects simultaneously
• Understanding of how biddable channels fit into the wider digital marketing mix, and how it impacts / is impacted by other channels.
• Fully confident in use of Excel, including pivot tables, reporting and analysis uses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and confidence presenting
• Cool under pressure, a people person who can work with clients and internal teams to great effect.
• Proactive individual, able to bring new ideas to the table in areas such as activation, team processes, client processes, technology & automation.
• Developed understanding of tracking and attribution.

Desirable Criteria 

• Language Skills

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, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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 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.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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 this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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