Associate Director, Activation & Delivery, GCS

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 .

2931 - Associate Director, Activation & Delivery, GCS

Role Summary and Impact

We are looking for a Search & Ecommerce Account Director to lead the strategic development, execution, and performance of integrated biddable activity across Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max) and Amazon Search .

As a senior leader within the team, you will be responsible for defining and delivering best-in-class search and ecommerce strategies , ensuring alignment with broader client business goals and full-funnel media objectives.

You will act as the senior client contact , working with stakeholders at Director level and above, while leading cross-functional teams and offshore delivery hubs to execute against strategy.

This role combines deep platform expertise, strategic leadership, and operational oversight , ensuring campaigns are executed to the highest standard while continuously driving innovation and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of holistic Search & Ecommerce strategies across:
  • Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max)
  • Amazon Search (Sponsored Ads ecosystem)
• Ensure strategies are aligned to client business objectives, KPIs, and commercial priorities
• Translate broader marketing strategy into channel-specific activation frameworks
• Identify growth opportunities across demand capture (Search) and retail media (Amazon)
• Drive integration between Search, Ecommerce, and wider media channels (Paid Social, Programmatic, SEO)
• Develop forward-thinking POVs on industry trends, platform developments, and emerging opportunities

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary senior contact for Search & Ecommerce across your client portfolio
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, becoming a trusted strategic advisor
• Lead client meetings, presentations, quarterly reviews, and strategic planning sessions
• Clearly articulate performance, insights, and forward strategy
• Identify opportunities to grow client investment and expand scope

Performance and Campaign

• Maintain ultimate accountability for performance delivery across all Search & Ecommerce activity
• Oversee campaign execution across Google Ads and Amazon platforms, ensuring alignment with strategy
  • Ensure robust optimisation frameworks are in place across:
  • Bidding & automation (e.g., Smart Bidding, PMAX optimisation)
  • Feed optimisation (Shopping / Amazon)
  • Query, audience, and keyword strategies
• Lead performance reviews, identifying risks and opportunities
• Ensure rigorous testing frameworks are defined and executed
• Ensure all campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards
• Maintain strong governance across:
  • QA processes
  • Financial management and invoicing
  • Platform best practice adherence
• Drive improvements in workflows, automation, and efficiency
• Ensure clear documentation of processes and ways of working
• Lead development of test & learn roadmaps across Search and Ecommerce
• Identify opportunities to leverage new platform capabilities (e.g., PMAX, AI bidding, Amazon innovations)
• Contribute to agency thought leadership, case studies, and award submissions
• Actively participate in the wider Search and Commerce communities within WPP Media

Onshore–Offshore Delivery Model

• Define and manage ways of working between onshore strategy teams and offshore execution teams
• Ensure offshore teams are set up for success with:
  • Clear briefs
  • Defined processes
  • QA frameworks and performance standards
• Oversee output quality across offshore Account Managers and Executives
• Drive scalability, efficiency, and operational excellence across delivery
• Lead and develop a team of Account Managers and Account Executives (onshore and offshore)
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management
• Ensure effective workload allocation, prioritisation, and delivery
• Support hiring and team growth aligned to client needs
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative team culture

Skills & Experience:

• Extensive experience across:
  • Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max)
  • Amazon Search / Retail Media ecosystems
• Proven track record of leading performance-driven search and ecommerce strategies
• Strong understanding of full-funnel media strategy and cross-channel integration
• Advanced analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Experience managing large-scale, complex accounts and budgets
• Strong client leadership experience, including senior stakeholder management
• Experience managing and developing multi-layered teams (including offshore models)
• Deep understanding of bidding strategies, feed-based media, automation, and measurement
• Strong communication and presentation 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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