Associate Director, Clients

WPP Media; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

WPP Media is seeking an Account Director for the Universal UK team, focusing on theatrical film releases. This role sits within EssenceMediacom’s specialist entertainment department – TED, with regular client contact from the outset.

You will report into the Senior Associate Director and work across media disciplines, with the opportunity for autonomy and direct client access. The role emphasizes leadership, campaign strategy, and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in film is preferred.
• Strong online and offline channel planning experience.
• Desire to see the whole team succeed.
• Thrive under pressure: high volume, short turn around accounts.
• Ability to handle regular urgent adhoc requests and troubleshoot.
• High attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK theatrical film release campaigns for the Universal UK team.
• Coordinate across media disciplines (AV, OOH, Digital) and partner with TED and EssenceMediacom teams.
• Own strategic frameworks, briefs responses, and campaign laydowns across budgets.
• Oversee billing with EM and Universal finance teams.
• Develop junior team members and support their growth.

Skills

Film experience

Channel planning

Team development

Under pressure

Adhoc requests

Attention to detail

Job description

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 ourpioneeringagentic 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.

We’re looking for an Account Director to join the Universal UK team– working across UK theatrical film releases. The role sits within EssenceMediacom’s specialist entertainment department – TED.

The successful candidate will have regular client contact from the outset and be exposed to all media disciplines, each of which play a role on our plans.

Who does the role report into?

You will report into the Senior Associate Director.

What are the 3 best things about the job?

• You will be surrounded by people that love Film, love working together and enjoy contributing to the ongoing success of the client
• You will be pushed to learn and improve every single day and contribute to this ethos
• The account provides ample opportunity for autonomy and direct client access

What are the measures of success?

• Able to comfortably and consistently deliver high-quality work across multiple live briefs at various different stages in the campaign cycle.
• Can take complete ownership of developing strategic and implementational frameworks, responses to briefs, campaign laydowns and PCAs across varying budget levels
• You are passionate about the development and management of junior members of the team; you will be responsible for their success, growth and work-life enjoyment.
• Build and maintain the strong working relationship we have with our specialist teams (AV, OOH & Digital) who are a key component of our success as a team.
• Strong financial acumen demonstrated through the adherence and continuation of EssenceMediacom’s best financial practices on the accounts.
• Ownership of the billing process on a monthly basis with the help of EM finance team as well as Universal finance teams.
• Managing larger scale releases, specifically managing larger partnership conversations with media owners.
• Positive client feedback – our clients are incredibly collaborative and want us to challenge them.

What would you expect to achieve in the first 3 months?

• Gain the trust and respect of our local clients, working through live briefs and campaigns. Our clients are experts in their field and passionate about their products and the wider film industry; they expect to be challenged by our team in order to get to the best outcomes.
• Integrate into the team dynamic – we are strongly motivated by the success of everyone in the team and enjoy working together. Positively contribute to values and culture of the team.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the film and wider media landscape, the complexity of the different audience segments and how this impacts the way in which we plan media.
• Develop a positive working relationship with our specialists in TED as well as the Global and Central MediaCom teams.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in film is preferred
• Strong online and offline channel planning experience
• Desire to see the whole team succeed
• Thrive under pressure: both businesses are high volume, short turn around types of account.
• Ability to deal with regular [often urgent] adhoc requests, an enjoyment for troubleshooting.
• High attention to detail

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 believingin and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees toleveragethe extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at thecutting edgeof 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 eventsshowcasingteam wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events.

Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including

• competitive medical
• group retirement plans
• vision
• dental insurance
• significant paid time off
• preferential partner discounts
• 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 whenwe'retogether, 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

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

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

Demographic Questions (UK)

At WPP Media we are committed to building a business and culture that is inclusive, and we believe that having a workforce that represents the society we live in is key to our success.

As part of this commitment, we have created this voluntary survey to include the collection and analysis of diversity data across our recruitment.

The following questions do not form part of your application, are completely optional and are not shared with our hiring teams, but we would be grateful if you would complete them to help us monitor fairness and equality across our recruitment process.

What gender identity do you most closely identify with? Select...

What is your sexual orientation? Select...

What is your religion? Select...

I identify my race/ethnicity as (select all that apply) Select...

Do you consider yourself to have a disability, impairment or long‑term health condition? Select...

If you answered 'Yes', please select the option(s) that best describe your disability, impairment, or long‑term health condition. (Select all that apply) Select...

Do you identify as Trans? Select...

Which age range do you belong to? Select...

Did you receive free school meals, school uniform or PE kit funding? Select...