Business Director, Cross Channel Activation

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.

2148 - Business Director, Cross Channel Activation

About Media Futures Group
Media Futures Group (MFG) is a bespoke media team for Google. We are made up of best in class digital, offline, and integrated media experts who work together to enhance media’s contribution to Google’s business.

We are a united, diverse team driven by a spirit of curiosity. Committed to pioneering solutions that surpass industry standards, we aim to drive excellence, support a fulfilled team, and exceed expectations while fostering growth and positive impact.

About the team
The Media Activation team is responsible for providing thoughtful and exciting recommendations for Search, Social, Display, and Video, owning supplier relationships, and then executing those recommendations expertly. The Media Activation team leverages their mastery of each channel to make sure its recommendations are consistently excellent and innovative, and that in-channel performance and data integrity is maximized.

Position Summary:
As Business Director, Media Activation, you will be a pivotal strategic leader within our Media Activation team, directly supporting the Head of Activation and Activation Partners. You will serve as the primary client POC for Activation on one or more product areas (PAs), responsible for delivering innovative, category-defining media strategies and services across digital channels. This role requires a deep understanding of paid media best practices, a collaborative mindset, the ability to provide incisive strategic insights, and holds ultimate responsibility for leading and developing a high-performing team to ensure the highest quality of work and client outcomes.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Drive and own the strategic development and execution from an Activation team perspective across your assigned PA campaigns, ensuring seamless integration into comprehensive cross-channel media strategies.
• Ensure rigorous adherence to best practices, quality controls, and operational excellence across all media activation channels within your team.
• Cultivate and strengthen strategic relationships with senior Google clients, internal practice leads, and key media partners. Act as the primary point of contact for all media activation discussions, proactively offering insightful perspectives and solutions beyond immediate campaign remits.
• Collaborate with channel leads to develop and implement best in class media recommendations and evolve best practices.
• Deeply understand Google's business objectives, product roadmaps, and key performance indicators (KPIs), translating these into actionable media strategies. Proactively monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscapes to identify innovative opportunities for client growth.
• Champion MFG’s expertise by developing and presenting compelling thought leadership, case studies, and strategic POVs that elevate our standing as a trusted media partner within the broader Google client ecosystem.
• Collaborate with the Client Director and Activation Partner on strategic capacity planning and resource allocation to optimize team efficiency and deliver against client demands. on your PA.
• Actively contribute to and lead agency-wide initiatives focused on enhancing operational processes, quality standards, and overall service delivery.Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks while capitalizing on new opportunities for the Google client portfolio, escalating critical issues as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Lead, inspire and motivate, setting a high standard through example and actively coaching and mentoring junior team members to foster their professional growth.
• Deliver consistent, constructive, and actionable feedback to facilitate continuous improvement and accelerate the career development of team members.
• Actively monitor and foster high levels of team engagement and satisfaction, proactively identify and implement strategies to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, fostering transparent and effective relationships across all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Actively recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements, fostering a culture of appreciation and high performance.
• Lead comprehensive career development planning and coaching for direct reports, supporting their progression within MFG and WPP Media.

Required Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Media/Advertising or a related field. Experience may be substituted for education.
• Proven experience at Activation Director or Business Director level in a Digital Media or Advertising role, and in managing client portfolios, including understanding of P&L implications.
• Proven Project Management, Leadership and People Management Experience.
• Deep expertise in media planning fundamentals, including audience segmentation, reach, frequency, channel optimization, and ad formats across the digital ecosystem.
• Extensive hands-on experience in planning, executing, and optimizing large-scale, complex paid media campaigns across a range of platforms, such as: Google Ads (Search, Display, Video), DV360, other major DSPs, and leading social platforms (e.g., Meta, X, TikTok, Snapchat).
• Proven ability to cultivate and manage strategic relationships with media vendors and technology partners.
• Deep knowledge of platform best practices, campaign setup, optimization methodologies, and performance measurement.
• Proficiency with the Google Marketing Platform (GMP) stack (e.g., Google Ads, DV360, SA360, GA4) and relevant certifications (e.g., Google Ads, GMP) highly desirable.
• Experience in leading campaigns across multiple countries / languages.

#LI-Promoted

Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.