---
title: 'Paid Search Account Director at WPP Media'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/paid-search-account-director-wpp-media-london-h098rvhwcnbb'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Paid Search Account Director at WPP Media

- **Company:** WPP Media
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-07-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/wppmedia/jobs/5282056008

## 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 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.

1262 - Paid Search Account Director - UK

## Role Summary and Impact

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

## About the role

As a Paid Search Account Director, you will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of your account(s) across paid search campaigns whilst operating as the main campaign point of contact for your clients.

The role involves managing several Account Executives and Account Managers including your team in the Global Hub, who are a core part of your line management.

Making use of platform knowledge and account management practices, you’ll ensure effective management of projects to brief, schedule and budget. Ultimately, you’ll work to deliver world class paid search accounts which exceed client’s expectations.

- Oversee, as appropriate, the performance of Account Executives and Account Managers in your team ensuring that you are quality controlling work.
- Train your team and others across the department. Make sure we continue to develop the departments knowledge & expertise.
- Play an active role in recruitment and interviewing processes to build strong teams. This will involve leading interviews, making staffing decisions and acting 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.
- You are accountable for your team’s adoption, execution and adherence to Wavemaker Governance and the Wavemaker Way for Paid Search across your clients.
- Use 3rd and 1st party tools and tech effectively across your client set.
- Helping to drive process automation through adoption of scripts and efficient ways of working.
- 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.
- Lead on application and adherence to all areas of paid search activation finance processes.
- Foster a good working relationship across all clients & suppliers to direct flawless execution of plans. Builds rapport and become a trusted advisor representing the agency.
- Make sure that service level agreements are aligned with all relevant stakeholders and that all deadlines are met, with tasks managed through our project management suite.
- Active member of the Paid Search community which includes contributing to internal team meetings, participation in wider GroupM training & events, and more.
- Develop strong relationships with your client and key suppliers, leading team communications with these stakeholders. Be able to communicate with clients on subjects outside your remit and provide them with useful insight.
- Advise internal and external stakeholders around paid search and industry trends, displaying a deep knowledge and also how it impacts client’s businesses.
- Demonstrate expert knowledge of and monitors the client’s industry and competitive environment to create effective solutions.
- Responsibility for the output of your team (UK-based and Global Hub), both client facing and operational.
- 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 enhance activity.
- Maintain a forward thinking and innovative approach in the development of all paid search activity.
- Take responsibility & direct paid search performance and your wider team’s deliverables.
- Contributes to the development of strategic revenue and service opportunities.
- Responsible for the execution of a ‘fearless growth’ mindset in your team; continually experimenting and driving performance forwards for clients.

Measures for success in this role will include: no account errors, your accounts never go offline, improved performance and results, completion of tasks & projects on time, client feedback, effective communication, team development, increased utilisation of the Global Hub, and overall progress of clients against the Wavemaker Way for Paid Search.

## 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-Platform campaign formats (e.g. Performance Max, Microsoft Audience Network etc.). Successful candidates will have an analytical mindset coupled with creativity.

It’s essential that you have:

- Experience line managing people, their development and workload. Ability to lead and manage hybrid teams in different markets.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to make the complex, simple. As an Account Director, you need to be an excellent storyteller; taking clients & other stakeholders through solutions to complex problems or opportunities.
- Expert Paid Search knowledge and experience, with up-to-date certifications (Google Ads and Microsoft Ads).
- Excellent knowledge of bid management and core PPC technology platforms (Google Analytics, GMP platform, SA360, Adobe for example).
- Excellent data analysis skills and understanding of the strategic & tactical application of paid search and digital marketing.
- Expert Microsoft Office skills which include Excel & PowerPoint.
- Experience in Google Data Studio or similar reporting platforms.
- Operationally proficient with excellent project management skills. You have a demonstratable ability to manage multiple tasks at once, and help your team do the same.
- You are proactive; our mantra is all about ‘Positive Provocation’. We need people who have the confidence to question the status quo.
- You have immaculate attention to detail.

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

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy for more information on how we process the information you provide.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

#LI-Promoted

Please read our [Privacy Notice](https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

## About WPP Media

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: WPP Media is WPP's global media collective that combines AI, data, and creative to deliver intelligent growth for the world's leading brands.
- **Entity Type**: Division of Public Company (WPP plc – LSE: WPP, NYSE: WPP)
- **Headquarters**: New York, United States
- **Founded**: Not publicly available (parent WPP plc founded 1971; WPP Media formed as a unified media collective in recent years)
- **CEO**: Brian Lesser (CEO, WPP Media)

## Core Business
- **Industry**: Advertising Services, Media Planning & Buying, Marketing Technology
- **Target Customers**: B2B and B2C enterprise brands across all sectors; global clients include major Fortune 500 companies
- **Mission or Purpose Statement**: "Intelligent growth for the AI era" – helping brands harness data, AI, and media to drive measurable outcomes.

## Products & Services
- **Open Media Studio (OMS)**: An end-to-end media delivery platform integrated with WPP Open, enabling scaled creative, production, data, commerce, and personalized media execution. (SaaS/Platform)
- **Open Intelligence**: An AI-enabled data solution that unifies fragmented data across ecosystems into predictive marketing intelligence, supporting privacy-first activation. (Data & Analytics Platform)
- **Data and Technology Consulting**: Consulting services for data strategy, technology architecture, advanced analytics, audience insight, cloud integration, and platform adoption. (Service)
- **Media Management & Delivery**: Expert activation, smart investment, strategic partnerships, and proprietary media solutions powered by AI and advanced analytics for personalized advertising at global scale. (Service)
- **Service and Strategy**: Dedicated teams offering deep sector expertise, creative strategy, and business outcomes aligned with client goals. (Service)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed separately (parent WPP plc market cap approx. £8 billion as of July 2025)
- **Key Metric**: $65 billion in managed media annually (from wppmedia.com)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: WPP is publicly traded; works with hundreds of global brands including many Fortune 500 companies. Key technology partners include major cloud and AI providers.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 40,000+ media experts worldwide
  - 160 offices across 80+ markets
  - 1,600+ active job postings (LinkedIn, July 2025) with +8.7% monthly job growth
  - Strong investment in AI-first capabilities and privacy-forward data unification

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale**: One of the largest media buying organizations globally, managing $65B in media.
- **AI Integration**: End-to-end platform (OMS + Open Intelligence) deeply embedded with AI for predictive analytics, automation, and personalization.
- **Integrated Ecosystem**: Unique ability to unify media, data, creative, production, and commerce under one roof.
- **Global Reach**: 40k+ experts in 80+ markets providing local insights with global execution.
- **WPP Network**: Access to 100,000+ experts across WPP's integrated agency network.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI-Driven Growth**: Embedding AI across all capabilities to deliver smarter, faster, more measurable outcomes.
- **Privacy-First Data Unification**: Building Open Intelligence as a secure, cross-ecosystem data platform that respects consumer privacy.
- **Talent Development**: Investing in AI-enabled learning frameworks and internal mobility to future-proof skills.
- **Sustainability & Inclusion**: Part of WPP's broader commitment to building better futures for people, planet, clients, and communities.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as open, optimistic, and extraordinary – with emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and challenging the status quo.
- **Growth**: AI-enabled learning framework, cross-team mobility across WPP’s global network of 100k+ experts.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/office-based roles across 160 offices; global opportunities in 80+ markets.
- **Perks**: Competitive compensation, performance-based rewards, access to cutting-edge AI tools, and work with leading global brands.
- **Team**: Join a collective of 40k+ media experts, data scientists, technologists, and creatives.

## Sources
1. [wppmedia.com](https://www.wppmedia.com/)
2. [WPP Media Company Info](https://www.wppmedia.com/company-info)
3. [WPP Media Careers](https://www.wppmedia.com/careers)
4. [WPP Media – What We Do](https://www.wppmedia.com/what-we-do)
5. [WPP Media LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpp-media)
6. [WPP Media Greenhouse Careers](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/wppmedia)

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