Associate Director, Implementational Planning

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 our pioneering agentic 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 .

3820 – Associate Director, Implementational Planning - UK

Role Summary and Impact

The Media Solutions Account Director reports directly to the EMEA Regional Lead and serves as a pivotal figure in our London hub. You will drive EMEA campaign planning and strategy, ensuring seamless execution across the region. A critical component of this role involves leading local market strategies, with a dedicated focus on driving performance and innovation in Spain and Italy. While based in London, you will maintain a strong collaborative link with our Delhi hub to ensure execution excellence aligns with strategic intent.

Airbnb is a global platform that goes beyond accommodation, offering a community where guests can book unique homes and stays, as well as participate in handcrafted experiences and services led by inspiring local hosts. As a leader on this account, you will drive the media execution that powers this diverse global ecosystem.

Success in this role involves providing campaign leadership from a strategic and tactical standpoint across channels, owning best practice, and ensuring the highest standard of campaigns are delivered on time.

Some of the things we’d like you to do:

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with the EMEA Media Solutions leadership to align on regional strategy and operational standards.
• Lead the development and oversight of local campaign strategies for key markets, specifically customising approaches for Spain and Italy to ensure local resonance.
• Act as the strategic bridge between the London office and the Delhi execution hub, providing clear direction to ensure output matches client expectations.
• Gain a strategic understanding of the client’s business and KPIs, proactively spotting industry trends and product opportunities to enhance activity within the EMEA region.

Account Management & Optimisation

• Drive account maturity by identifying areas for improvement through cross channel learning and suggesting advanced optimisation tactics for European markets.
• Oversee campaign agendas and create plans to eradicate root causes of errors through rigorous tracking.
• Ensure the successful running of campaigns by weaving execution into the overall cross channel strategy.

Team Operations and Liaison

• Work closely with local market planning teams to ensure central strategies are effectively adapted and aligned with local market nuances.
• Strategise and implement automation to increase efficiency across EMEA workstreams.
• Partner with the Delhi hub team to bridge skill gaps and ensure they have the strategic context required for execution.
• Ensure optimum utilisation of resources by guiding the extended team on hygiene tasks.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive in platform experience with one or more of the following: Meta, TikTok, DV360 (or other DSP), Google Ads.
• Proven Project Management and Leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of the EMEA media landscape, with specific experience managing campaigns in Spain and Italy.
• Knowledge of media planning fundamentals e.g. reach, frequency, channels, formats.
• Regularly contributes to platform best practices.

Required Education and Experience:

• Proven experience in media activation at Account Manager level or above, delivering excellence across brand and performance campaigns.
• Travel, hospitality, or similar market experience is desired, and experience working within a global client is preferred.
• Experience with running campaigns across multiple countries / languages.
• Experience working with large brands in a complex structure within an agency environment.
• Experience of managing vendor relationships.

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 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 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

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