Associate Director, Media Activation

WPP Media; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

WPP Media Limited in Los Angeles is seeking an Associate Director for Media Activation to lead cross-channel programmatic and YouTube campaigns, aligning activation with broader media strategy. You will mentor junior staff, partner with analytics and strategy teams, and deliver client recommendations while driving optimization and innovation.

This role emphasizes leadership, measurement, and collaboration across media partners and internal teams to achieve client objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in biddable media activation.
• Strong background in programmatic and YouTube advertising.
• Hands-on with TTD, DV360, and Google Ads/YouTube.
• Experience across Paid Social platforms a plus.
• Agency experience preferred; leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and activation of programmatic and YouTube strategies.
• Oversee activation across Programmatic Display, Video, CTV, YouTube, Paid Social.
• Provide strategic recommendations and performance insights.
• Bridge activation with broader media planning and client objectives.
• Mentor junior team members and collaborate across disciplines.

Skills

Programmatic buying

YouTube ads

Client leadership

Agency experience

Analytics collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or equivalent

Tools

The Trade Desk

DV360

Google Ads/YouTube

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.

As an Associate Director, Media Activation, you will lead the strategic development, activation, and optimization of cross‑channel biddable media programs, with a strong emphasis on Programmatic and YouTube, while also supporting Paid Social and other digital channels. You will bridge day‑to‑day activation with broader media strategy and planning, providing leadership across campaign execution, performance, and client recommendations.

You will play a key role in driving integrated media strategies, identifying opportunities for optimization and innovation, and ensuring operational excellence. In addition, you will mentor and develop team members while fostering collaboration across media, analytics, strategy, and creative disciplines.

Skills and Experience

• Lead the development and execution of Programmatic and YouTube strategies, while supporting integrated Paid Social and broader biddable media initiatives.
• Oversee campaign activation across Programmatic Display, Video, CTV, YouTube, Paid Social, and other emerging digital channels.
• Provide strategic recommendations, performance insights, and proactive optimization opportunities to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Bridge day‑to‑day activation with broader media planning and strategy to ensure campaigns align with client business objectives.
• Partner with analytics and measurement teams to establish KPIs, evaluate campaign performance, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Identify testing and innovation opportunities across audience targeting, platform capabilities, automation, and emerging advertising technologies.
• Oversee campaign execution, pacing, optimization, quality assurance, and budget management to ensure operational excellence.
• Provide hands‑on guidance and oversight to junior team members, helping troubleshoot campaigns and maintain activation best practices.
• Collaborate with media partners, ad technology platforms, publishers, and internal stakeholders to identify new opportunities and improve campaign performance.
• Develop and implement best practices and processes that improve campaign effectiveness and team productivity.
• Support cross‑functional collaboration with strategy, investment, analytics, and creative teams.
• Mentor and develop team members through coaching, technical guidance, and leadership.
• Keep senior leadership informed of key client opportunities, performance trends, potential risks, and strategic recommendations.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience in biddable media activation, with a strong background in Programmatic and YouTube advertising.
• Hands‑on experience with The Trade Desk (TTD), DV360, and Google Ads/YouTube.
• Experience across additional Paid Social platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit, and X is a plus.
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying, campaign optimization, audience targeting, measurement, and performance reporting.
• Experience balancing hands‑on campaign activation with strategic planning and team leadership.
• Significant client‑facing experience, including presenting performance insights and strategic recommendations.
• Prior experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
• Agency experience is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting entertainment, theatrical, or film marketing campaigns is a plus.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and priorities.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job‑related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, go to https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome for more details.

US Pay Range

$75,000 - $180,000 USD

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