Director, MAI Search

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.

1270 - Director, MAI Search

Role Summary and Impact

About Wavemaker

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together. 
 
Client Context:

Audible is Wavemaker Worldwide’s largest client and is the world’s favourite platforms for audio content, from podcasts to audio books to Audible Originals. Audible have ambitious growth targets that we will help them achieve through both branding and performance campaigns across five major markets: UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain giving the applicate an opportunity to work across market and understand how different markets behaviour and respond to media.

Role Context:

As MAI (Mobile App Install) Director, you will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of app-install campaigns and associated tracking/reporting needs, including working closely with our MMP, Kochava.
The role involves supporting several Account Executives and Account Managers including in the Global Hub, who are a core part of the team. Specific support is needed on search/app-store campaigns and also social and display MAI activity.  
Making use of platform knowledge and account management practices, you’ll ensure effective management of projects to brief, schedule and budget. Ultimately, you’ll work to deliver world-class MAI campaigns which exceed client’s expectations and targets while helping to define campaign and tracking best-practice.

Key Responsibilities:
1.    Campaign Management. 

• Responsibility for the output of your team (UK-based and Global Hub), both client facing and operational. You are accountable for your team’s adherence to Wavemaker Governance and GroupM best practices across your clients.
• Strategic understanding of the client’s business and KPIs, keeping up to date with latest Industry news and proactively spotting trends, product releases, and other opportunities which could enhance activity.
• Have an excellent understanding of app download campaigns and how to drive and track the best campaign results.
• Own tracking of MAI campaigns and ensure all considerations and complexities are understood and acted upon across the team.
• Maintain a forward thinking and innovative approach in the development of all appstore-driving search activity.
• Take responsibility & direct campaign performance and your wider team’s deliverables. 

2.    Client & Partner Management. 

• Develop strong relationships with your client and key suppliers, leading team communications with these stakeholders. Be able to communicate with clients on subjects outside your remit and provide them with useful insight.
• Advise internal and external stakeholders around platform, device and industry trends, displaying a deep knowledge and also how it impacts client’s businesses.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of and monitors the client’s industry and competitive environment to create effective solutions.
• Foster a good working relationship across all clients & suppliers to direct flawless execution of plans. Builds rapport and become a trusted advisor representing the agency.
• Make sure that service level agreements are aligned with all relevant stakeholders and that all deadlines are met, with tasks managed through our project management suite.  

3.    Team Player.

• Active member of the WM community which includes contributing to internal team meetings, participation in wider GroupM training & events, and more.
• Oversee, as appropriate, the performance of Account Executives and Account Managers in your team ensuring that you are quality controlling work.
• Train your team and others across the department. Make sure we continue to develop the departments knowledge & expertise. 

4.    People Management.

• Contribute to your UK and Global Hub team’s development and career progression within the agency. Leading by example to motivate and encourage.
• Motivational people manager leading by example and coaching your team. Provide constructive feedback at every appropriate opportunity. 

5.    Operational Excellence.

• Helping to define and drive process automation through adoption of efficient ways of working and innovation.
• Enable the team to fully comply with all areas of activation finance processes.
• Contribute to the development of strategic revenue and service opportunities.
• Make full use of the technology available, implementing processes and practices that maximize operational efficiencies whilst identifying opportunities for process improvement, and providing recommendations. Identify opportunities for better ways of working with new and existing providers and platforms.
• Takes ownership of operations in your team, proactively suggesting ways to resolve and eliminate issues from happening. 

Measures for success in this role will include: no account errors, your accounts never go offline, improved performance and results, completion of tasks & projects on time, client feedback, effective communication, team development, increased utilisation of the Global Hub, and overall progress of clients against the WM Search Maturity Framework.
 
Skills and Experience

•    Experience in performance media with expertise across app campaigns across channels.
•    Strong understanding of how MAI works within the performance and digital ecosystem, in particular within Search activity (Google App Campaigns, Apple Search Ads).
•    Deep experience with app download/mobile campaign tracking options and main MMPs, ideally Kochava.
•    Working knowledge of best practices within search, social and display channels
•    Strategic understanding of how performance media can be leveraged to drive business growth
•    Good technical/operational ability in core platforms including GAC, Apple Search Ads, Meta etc
•    Hands-on experience in planning, buying and optimising across all channels is useful.
•    Ability to set appropriate performance centric KPIs and evaluate activity against these and understand the role of secondary KPIs and how they support media activation.
•    Proven people management and leadership qualities.
•    Ability to manage upwards as well as downwards.
•    Possesses initiative and demonstrates resourcefulness.
•    All academic backgrounds will be considered – qualifications in maths, data, media of interest.
•    Professional digital media/advertising qualifications or appropriate second languages will be an advantage.
•    Excellent organisational and communication skills.
 

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. 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 

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

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