Associate Director, Activation

Location: London

Reporting to: Director, Activation

GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence.

GroupM Nexus is the industry’s largest community of performance marketing experts designed to drive performance and innovation at scale for GroupM’s agencies and clients. With the most platform accreditations in the industry combined with proprietary technology, media, and solutions, GroupM Nexus consistently sets new benchmarks for effectiveness and efficiency across all forms of media to drive growth for the world’s leading advertisers.

Role Overview

The Activation Associate Director is a pivotal senior position within the Nexus Media Solution Activation team, responsible for managing both people and advertising operations to achieve client and business objectives. This role involves leading a top-tier team, excelling in activation expertise, to deliver Nexus Media Solutions. Additionally, the Associate Director oversees weekly and monthly forecasting of demand and supply. Reporting to an Activation Director, this role encompasses leadership of a dedicated agency/business segment and guidance of both onshore and offshore activation specialists.

Responsibilities

• Activation Excellence & Delivery
  • Oversee campaign pacing and performance within your team's remit.
  • Oversight of successful end-to-end campaign activation for your assigned GroupM Nexus Media Solutions portfolio.
  • Serve as the primary stakeholder for key projects, overseeing their execution across the team.
  • Guide and coach the activation team to deliver client outcomes.
  • Oversee and coordinate the campaign lifecycle for Tier 1 clients, ensuring the team effectively handles setup, optimization, and reporting to achieve client goals.
  • Support Client Leadership and Client Services to meet KPIs.
  • Act as the voice of activation, offering programmatic expertise.
  • Lead business projects to enhance solutions and servicing.
  • Provide escalation support and technical troubleshooting for your assigned GroupM Nexus Media Solutions portfolio.
  • Report and escalate where necessary, any conflicts between best practice and client requirements.
  • Advocate for data-driven, multi-channel best practices.
  • Collaborate with Client Services on targeting recommendations and forecasting.
  • Implement data, AI, and analytics solutions with the Activation Director and Marketing Science.
  • Contribute to AdTech Product Development with a focus on activation requirements.
  • Handle troubleshooting and communication with technology partners.
• Performance and Demand Management
  • Oversee campaign pacing and performance, forecast demand, and manage margins.
  • Guide the team in recommending and implementing optimisations to achieve campaign KPIs.
  • Guide and mentor team in investigation and resolution of delivery, performance issues and any discrepancies.
  • Foster collaborative practices with internal and Operations teams to enhance client performance.
  • Key stakeholder in monthly and weekly forecasting of demand and supply, in partnership with NMS and GroupM Premium Supply.
  • Conduct detailed analysis for monthly and weekly ADTV demand forecasts, communicate critical information to stakeholders, and manage issues, including portfolio management considering multiple clients and supply points.
• Processes and Operational Efficiencies
  • Collaborate with the Director, Activation to refine processes and best practices, enhancing quality, efficiency, and accuracy across campaigns.
  • Ensure your team adheres to established activation controls and best practices.
  • Drive quality and efficiency through automation, offshoring, and specialist training and certification amongst others.
  • Work with Associate Directors and stakeholders for cross-vertical and agency knowledge sharing.
  • Deploy data, AI, and analytics working in collaboration with Nexus Associate Directors to elevate campaign results.
  • Integrate onshore and offshore hubs to ensure seamless collaboration in delivering client campaigns.
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and training, ensuring processes and best practices are well-documented and accessible.
  • Monitor campaign delivery using available systems, addressing any recurring issues within your team.
  • Coordinate with internal teams to align business processes with activation team needs and ensure compliance.
  • Collaborate with Marketing Science and data teams to implement data, AI, and analytics solutions.
  • Approval of supplier reconciliations from across the agency Patch.
• Team & Culture
  • Act as the escalation point for your agency patch, providing your team with support for troubleshooting, technical assistance, and serving as a liaison for your agency teams.
  • Mentor team members and manage their performance.
  • Uphold high standards of behaviour and professionalism.
  • Collaborate effectively with Nexus UK for campaign success.
  • Focus on team career development, training and continuous improvement towards their goals.
  • Oversee effective management of onshore and offshore teams and resources to achieve business objectives.
  • Handle recruitment, onboarding, and training processes for new team members.
  • Ensure your team maintain up-to-date market and technical knowledge, including platform certification.
  • Drive accountability with clear performance KPIs.
  • Foster a 'one team' ethos with GroupM for client growth, locally and regionally.
  • Encourage a culture of curiosity and learning through partner engagements.

Requirements

• Proven leadership in digital broadcasting and/or programmatic spaces.
• Strong background in Ad Operations with team management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of programmatic tech platforms including DMPs, DSPs, SSPs, and brand safety tools.
• Expertise in video advertising and understanding of related metrics.
• Proficiency in digital cross-channel operations and data utilisation from planning to insight generation.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills with the ability to communicate findings effectively.
• Preferred experience with offshore team collaboration.
• Data-driven approach to enhance team performance in activation practices.
• Excellent communication skills at all organisational levels.
• Skilled in building and maintaining relationships to meet client needs.
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for a non-technical audience.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive mindset.
• Initiative-taking self-starter open to seeking and offering help.
• Highly organised with exceptional time-management skills.