Account Director, Programmatic

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 .

Account Director, Programmatic - 2724

Role Summary and Impact

This role is within Wavemaker , a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in driving best-in-class programmatic strategy, execution, and innovation across a portfolio of high-profile clients.

As a Programmatic Account Director, you will lead a team across both the UK and global hubs, with full ownership of end-to-end campaign delivery. You will play a key role in shaping programmatic strategy, driving performance outcomes, and strengthening client partnerships while ensuring operational excellence and continuous innovation.

You will collaborate closely with digital planning teams and senior stakeholders to deliver measurable business impact, maximise investment value, and grow programmatic adoption across your client portfolio.

Skills and Experience

Core Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in programmatic/display media planning and activation
• Proven experience leading programmatic campaigns across multiple buying platforms (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk, Amazon)
• Strong understanding of the wider digital ecosystem and the role of programmatic within integrated media strategies

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Demonstrated experience managing, coaching, and developing high-performing teams (including offshore teams)
• Strong client leadership skills, with experience building relationships at a senior level
• Confident presenter, with experience leading QBRs, strategic reviews, and new business pitches

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret large datasets and translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
• Experience building and executing robust testing frameworks (audiences, creative, media, optimisation strategies)

Campaign & Operational Excellence

• Proven ability to manage full campaign lifecycle from planning through to reporting
• Strong experience improving processes, implementing best practices, and driving operational efficiencies
• High attention to detail with a focus on quality assurance, financial accuracy, and campaign performance

Commercial & Strategic Thinking

• Ability to align programmatic solutions to client business objectives
• Experience identifying growth opportunities and driving innovation within accounts
• Strong negotiation skills to deliver optimal value and performance outcomes

Key Responsibilities

Campaign Leadership & Delivery

• Oversee end-to-end programmatic campaign management across multiple clients
• Ensure best-in-class activation, optimisation, and reporting standards
• Drive innovation through testing agendas, new formats, and beta opportunities
• Work closely with planning teams to develop integrated media strategies and grow programmatic investment

Client & Partner Management

• Act as the senior programmatic lead for clients, owning strategy and performance discussions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, media owners, and technology partners
• Lead key meetings including QBRs, strategic reviews, and planning sessions
• Ensure client objectives are clearly understood and translated into actionable plans

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of managers and executives across markets
• Create a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement
• Support career development through structured training and personalised development plans
• Act as a key escalation point for team and client issues

Operational Excellence

• Ensure accuracy and quality across campaign setup, optimisation, and reporting
• Oversee financial processes including billing, reconciliation, and forecasting
• Improve workflows and processes to drive efficiency and consistency across teams
• Maintain strong governance and compliance across all programmatic activity

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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 particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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

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