Backend Developer

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.

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 

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. 

Skills and Experience:

If this opportunity looks right for you, we are looking for candidates who have:

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience (5+ years) as a Backend Software Developer, with a strong portfolio of projects involving data processing and API development.
• Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, Node.js). Python is highly preferred given its prevalence in data science and ML.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms, particularly Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including services like Cloud Functions, Cloud Run, App Engine, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, and BigQuery.
• Demonstrable experience in designing, building, and maintaining RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Solid understanding of database technologies, both relational (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Firestore), and experience with data modelling.
• Experience with data pipeline tools and concepts (e.g., Apache Beam/Dataflow, Airflow) for ETL/ELT processes.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and agile development methodologies.
• Basic understanding of machine learning concepts and how to integrate ML models into backend systems.
• Basic understanding of the total marketing process and the strategic role of insights and media.
• An appreciation for how data insights are used in various media channels (e.g., paid search, programmatic display, social media, SEO) to inform strategy.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with off-shore or distributed teams is highly desirable.
• Experience integrating data into Google BigQuery from various sources, including direct API connections and data integration platforms (e.g., Adverity).
• Experience with leveraging AI/ML capabilities within the GCP ecosystem, such as connecting to large language models (e.g., Google's Gemini API) or utilising platforms like Vertex AI to enrich and analyse data stored in BigQuery.

Preferred Criteria

• Experience with stream processing technologies (e.g., Kafka, Pub/Sub).
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with data security and privacy best practices.
• Experience in the media, advertising, or marketing technology (AdTech/MarTech) industry.
• Certifications in relevant cloud technologies.

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 access to internal learning platforms, certifications, training sessions, life insurance, wellness programs, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, employee mental health awareness day and more.

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. If you require accommodation or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria.  At WPP Media, we strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested: we'd love to know how you can positively impact our team with your experience!

As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe that diversity is vital and positively influences the environment in which we operate. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that is free of discrimination, harassment or bullying. Race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status have no bearing on our hiring decisions, and we encourage all applicants.

We view everyone as an individual and we understand that inclusion is more than just diversity – it’s about belonging. We celebrate the fact that everyone is unique and that’s what makes us so good at what we do. We pride ourselves on being a company that embraces difference and truly represents the global clients we work with.

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 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. 

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