Associate Director, Paid Search

WPP Media Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive benefits

Job summary

WPP Media Limited in the United Kingdom seeks a Paid Search Senior Associate Director to guide a high-performing UK and Global Hub team, delivering category-defining paid search capabilities for key clients.

You will lead recruitment, mentor senior staff, drive best practices, and ensure governance and client success through strategic oversight and collaboration with partners.

Qualifications

• Experience leading paid search teams across markets.
• Strong analytical and strategic capabilities in digital advertising.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK and Global Hub paid search teams and campaigns.
• Oversee development of best practices and governance.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers/partners.
• Drive recruitment and career development for team.
• Ensure client retention and performance metrics.
• Act as ambassador for the team in meetings.

Skills

Paid Search

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Cross-network campaigns

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Performance Max

Job description

About the role

As a Paid Search Senior Associate Director, you will be responsible for delivering category-defining capabilities and services across your portfolio of clients at Wavemaker. Success in this role means providing strategic insight, developing your team of specialists, with your ultimate responsibility for the quality of work within this team.

As a senior leader within the department, you will be a point of escalation for the team and will deputise at key meetings & events for the Paid Search Business Directors and Head of Paid Search where needed. You will be vital to making sure we deliver on our vision for Paid Search consistently across your client portfolio and continue to evolve best practices and operations across the wider department.

The role involves managing Account Directors, Account Managers and Account Executives across the UK and in our Global Hub (who are also a core part of your responsibilities).

• Support the Head of/Business Director and broader team in capacity planning and resource management. Lead the recruitment process for your immediate team and assist with the wider team’s recruitment as needed. Act as an ambassador for the team to potential candidates.
• Take responsibility for 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.
• Lead through vision, values, and model leadership behaviours whilst championing and facilitating change in a positive manner.

Oversee development and implementation of paid search best practices (set centrally through the Wavemaker Way), with ultimate accountability for adherence to controls, and responsible for effective oversight of designated paid search campaigns and weaving these into the overall cross-channel campaign strategy.

• Help manage the relationship with key suppliers/partners such as Apple, Google, Microsoft Ads and more across GroupM Nexus. Work with the senior leadership team to make sure that joint business plans and targets are achieved.

Responsibility for the output of your team (UK-based and Global Hub), both clients facing and operational. You are accountable for your team’s adherence to Wavemaker Governance best practices across your clients.

• Lead on application and adherence to all areas of paid search activation finance processes.
• Making full use of the technology available, implementing processes and practices that maximize operational efficiencies whilst identifying opportunities for process improvement, and providing recommendations.
• Takes ownership of operations in your team, proactively suggesting ways to resolve and eliminate issues from happening.
• Make sure that service level agreements are aligned with relevant stakeholders and that all deadlines are met, with tasks managed through our project management suite.
• Develop strong relationships with your clients, leading team communications with these stakeholders. Strategically nurtures relationships with key decision-makers.

Actively generate case studies and seek opportunities for award entries whilst ensuring the teams aim at a higher prominence within the wider industry.

• Become a trusted advisor representing the agency & department.
• Advise internal and external stakeholders around paid search and industry trends, displaying a deep knowledge and how it impacts client’s businesses.
• Active leader in the Paid Search community which includes contributing to internal team meetings, participation in wider GroupM training & events, and more.
• Be responsible for training your team and others across the department. Make sure we continue to develop the departments knowledge & expertise.

Operating as an in-agency expert in your field of specialism, whilst showing a good understanding of the overall media landscape too.

• Oversee, as appropriate, the performance of Account Directors, Managers and Executives in your team ensuring that you are quality controlling work.
• 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 improve activity.
• Demonstrates expert understanding of the client business successes, challenges, and strategic objectives; draws from experience to evaluate solutions from the business perspective and provide advice regarding potential opportunities and risks.

Contributes to the development of strategic revenue and service opportunities.

• Involvement in new business and client retention.
• Responsible for fostering a ‘fearless growth’ mindset in your team; continually experimenting and driving performance forwards for clients.

The Paid Search Senior Associate Director will be responsible for the operations and output of your team for clients. Primary line management is from the Paid Search Business Director, who will consult with the Head of Paid Search when setting objectives.

Measures for success in this role will be client retention and performance, the consistent execution of the Wavemaker Way for your clients, documented performance benefits from the delivery of projects via the Wavemaker Way, continued delivery of experimentation for your team, progression and retention of talent within your team.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for candidates who are self-starters, want to succeed and have a desire to push the boundaries. Passionate about digital marketing, specifically Paid Search and Cross-Network campaign formats (e.g. Performance Max, Microsoft Audience Network etc.). Successful candidates will have an analytical mindset coupled with creativity.

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 this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location