Director, Social

Mindshare; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Media in Chicago is seeking a Director, Paid Social to lead strategic excellence, drive ROI, and grow the agency's Paid Social discipline. You will supervise a 22-person onshore/offshore team, ensure campaign activation, platform governance, and high-impact media strategies aligned with client objectives and ROI targets.

As a senior leader, you will manage executive stakeholder relationships, oversee campaign signoffs, champion platform innovation, and guide resourcing and financial health

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Paid Social media activation.
• 3+ years leading teams of 20+ members (onshore/offshore).
• Strong command of Meta, Google/YouTube, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.
• Experience with agency financial processes and staffing.

Responsibilities

• Provide Director-level signoff on all media recommendations, campaign testing plans, and client reports to guarantee campaign ROI.
• Direct, mentor, and progress a 22-person onshore/offshore team through onboarding, training, and backfill coverage.
• Enforce QA processes and 100% adoption of MAT and data integrity standards.
• Cultivate trusted relationships with senior client executives and platform leads (Meta, Google, X, LinkedIn).
• Oversee staffing allocations, recruitment pipelines, interview loops, and workload balancing.
• Ensure on-time completion of timesheets, client scope management, invoicing, and financial procedures.
• Drive client expansion by identifying new product opportunities and platform betas.
• Spearhead a central agency workstream and publish internal POVs on market trends.

Skills

Paid Social expertise

Team leadership

Executive stakeholder mgmt

Platform mastery

Tools

MAT

QA frameworks

Job description

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 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.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Summary

The Director, Paid Socialis a key leadership role responsible for driving strategic excellence, operational rigor, and commercial growth across the agency's Paid Social discipline. Leading a team of 22 multi-tiered personnel across onshore and offshore hubs, the Director ensures seamless campaign activation, flawless platform governance, and high-impact media strategies aligned with client business objectives and ROI targets.

As a senior leader, you will maintain executive stakeholder relationships, oversee campaign signoffs, champion channel innovation, and cultivate an empathetic, high-performing team culture. You will serve as the primary point of strategic escalation, manage financial/resourcing health, and drive adoption of emerging social platforms and betas.

Responsibilities

• Direct, mentor, and progress a 22-person onshore/offshore team through structured onboarding, continuous training, and robust holiday/backfill coverage.
• Drive an inclusive, high-performing culture by managing quarterly check-ins, individual growth plans, and promotion readiness across all career levels.
• Provide Director-level signoff on all media recommendations, campaign testing plans, and client reports to guarantee campaign ROI and actionable strategic insights.
• Enforce strict QA processes and 100% team adoption of MAT and data integrity standards, ensuring any flagged compliance issues are resolved within 3 working days.
• Cultivate trusted, strategic relationships with senior client executives and key platform leads (Meta, Google, X, LinkedIn).
• Serve as the primary senior escalation point for critical account friction, brand safety concerns, and executive leadership alignment.
• Oversee team staffing allocations, recruitment pipelines, interview loops, and workload balancing to maintain optimal resource utilization.
• Ensure 100% on-time completion of team timesheets, client scope management, invoicing, and financial procedures (MSCS).
• Drive client expansion by identifying new product opportunities, executing platform feature betas, and pitching tactical testing framework.
• Spearhead at least one central agency workstream (e.g., Channel Ops or onboarding) and publish internal POVs on market trends as a Subject Matter Expert.

Requirements

• 8+ years in Paid Social media activation; 3+ years leading teams of 20+ members (onshore and offshore).
• Deep command of Meta, Google/YouTube, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok, alongside media automation (MAT) and QA frameworks.
• Proven track record in executive stakeholder management, platform partner relations, and senior issue escalation.
• Strong capability in staffing allocation, scope management, invoicing, and agency financial protocols.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment toBe Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We alsoLead Optimistically,firmly believingin andChampioning Growth and Developmentfor 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. WeCreate an Open environmentbuilt 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, 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 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 read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

US Pay Range: $100,000 — $230,000 USD