Account Director, 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 .

1683- Account Director – Paid Search

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

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand

EssenceMediacom 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.

Role Summary and Impact

Open Connect is designed to accelerate BT businesses growth by leveraging the power and capabilities of GroupM and its agencies, through partnerships with the world’s leading digital platforms, advanced accreditations for digital practitioners, and continued development and deployment of industry-leading benchmarks.

As a Search Account Director, you will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of your account(s) across paid search whilst operating as the main campaign point of contact for our clients. Making use of platform knowledge and account management practices, you’ll ensure effective management of projects to brief, schedule and budget. Ultimately, as part of the Google Practice, you’ll work to deliver world class paid search campaigns which exceed our client’s expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Campaign Management

• Responsible for the output of your team, client facing and operational and accountable for adherence to controls and best practices across paid search.
• 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 our activity.
• Maintain a forward thinking and innovative approach in the development of all paid search activity.

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 practice area/industry trends, displaying a deep knowledge of own practice area/industry and how it impacts customer businesses.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of and monitor the client’s industry and competitive environment in order to create effective solutions.

People Management

• Play an active role in recruitment and interviewing processes to build strong teams. This will involve leading interviews, making staffing decisions and acting as an ambassador for the team to potential candidates.
• Take responsibility for your team’s development and career progression within the agency. Leading by example to motivate and encourage those with less experience on the team.
• Ensure the effective management of more junior team members, guaranteeing workloads are monitored and prioritised to meet deadlines.

Operational Excellence

• Help to drive process automation through adoption of scripts, third party solutions and efficient ways of working.
• Lead on application and adherence to all areas of paid search activation finance process.
• Contribute to the development of strategic revenue and service opportunities.

Skills and Experience

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 .

About You

• Expert practice area knowledge and in-depth understanding of search campaign set-up, management, optimisation and reporting across Google Ads and Microsoft and technology vendor platforms such as Search Ads 360.
• Excellent understanding of the strategic and tactical application of paid search and digital marketing in general.
• Proven Project Management, Leadership, Stakeholder and People Management Experience.
• Ability to lead and manage hybrid teams located in different markets.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and countries.

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

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

#LI-Promoted

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