Wavemaker: Associate Media Director- Dubai

Group M Worldwide Inc.; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global media firm in the United Arab Emirates is looking for an Associate Media Director responsible for developing and managing media strategies. The ideal candidate should have 6-7 years of experience in media planning and buying, along with strong leadership skills. This role offers opportunities for personal growth and significant benefits including medical and retirement plans. Flexibility is provided with a hybrid working approach.

Benefits

Competitive medical insurance

Group retirement plans

Paid time off

Employee mental health awareness days

Qualifications

• 6-7 years of experience in media planning and buying, focusing on integrated and digital media.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and present media strategies effectively.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive, data-driven media strategies.
• Continuously monitor campaign performance, identifying opportunities for optimization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional teams.

Skills

Media planning

Client relationship management

Analytical skills

Team management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field

Tools

Google Analytics

Nielsen

comScore

Job description

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 Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand

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.

Role Summary and Impact

The Associate Media Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing media strategies and campaigns that effectively reach target audiences and achieve marketing objectives. This role involves analyzing market data, selecting appropriate media channels, negotiating with media vendors, and monitoring campaign performance to ensure optimal results.The impact of this role is significant, as you will directly contribute to the success of our clients' marketing initiatives and the growth of our agency.

• Develop and implement comprehensive, data-driven media strategies across all client businesses and markets, encompassing programmatic buying, social media, search engine marketing, video, and mobile advertising.
• Continuously monitor and analyze campaign performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and ensuring maximum return on investment.
• Design and execute test-and-learn programs to evaluate new technologies and engagement measurement methodologies, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of media innovation.
• Provide a clear point of view on the integration of data and shared performance across social, search, and programmatic channels, translating data into actionable insights.
• Foster regular communication and collaboration between local WPP Media brands and the wider account team, sharing best practices and building cross-functional capabilities.
• Identify and implement best-practice techniques and tools to support campaign development and optimization, ensuring consistent high-quality execution.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with regional teams, collaborating with senior stakeholders and Directors to deliver exceptional client satisfaction.
• Develop and nurture relationships with key media partners to drive incremental benefits and value for our clients.
• Act as a regional lead for driving e-commerce initiatives across the MENA region, providing training, support, and guidance to regional teams on e-commerce projects.
• Inspire and advance the understanding and activation of media strategies across all platforms, working collaboratively with clients and the wider account team.

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.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• 6-7 years of experience in media planning and buying, with a strong focus on integrated and digital media.
• Proficiency in media planning and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Nielsen, comScore).
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and present media strategies effectively.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

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.

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