Implementation & Activation Director

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 Implementation & Activation Director plays a pivotal role in delivering best-in-class implementation planning and buying across Social, Search, Programmatic, and E-Commerce channels. This role ensures client campaigns are executed and amplified effectively, efficiently, and with a future-facing approach, powered by data, technology, and automation. You will cultivate strong, trusted relationships with clients, providing strategic guidance and leading activation efforts to achieve client objectives. As a leader, you will also be responsible for motivating and empowering your direct reports, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Core Responsibilities

• Cultivate strong, trusted relationships with clients at intermediate to senior levels.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of client challenges, objectives, and initiatives, clearly articulating these to your team and media partners.
• Proactively recommend tactics and opportunities that resolve client challenges and objectives.
• Ensure strict adherence to activation commitments and client contractual obligations.
• Construct and present effective, future-facing Implementation plans grounded in strategic priorities and data-led optimization recommendations.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the media landscape, confidently articulating core media principles and how each touchpoint fuels client growth.
• Collaborate closely with internal product teams, including GroupM proprietary offerings, to clearly articulate benefits and identify growth opportunities.
• Seek, communicate, and implement continuous improvements across all aspects of the role.
• Lead client media audits, media negotiations, and billings forecasting.
• Motivate and empower direct reports to achieve individual, team, and organizational goals.
• Conduct regular 1:1 check-ins, annual career conversations, and performance reviews with direct reports.
• Champion company values, fostering strong connections, solution-oriented perspectives, and collective team success.

Skills and Experience

What Makes You Great

• Significant experience in performance channels within a media or marketing environment.
• Proven stakeholder management experience.
• Passion for the industry, with robust craft and leadership experience.
• Strong, up-to-date media landscape knowledge, able to confidently articulate macro consumer trends and their challenges/opportunities.
• Problem-solving mentality.
• Clear communicator with strong presentation skills.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to unite diverse teams and perspectives.
• Results-driven, with the ability to identify and clearly articulate successes and their drivers.
• You feel empowered to bring your authentic self to work and contribute to great teamwork, knowing your individual ideas and thoughts will be welcome.

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.

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.

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

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