At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rapid, data-driven biddable media campaigns for the UK government.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a creative transformation company shaping the future of media.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous time off, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services and community growth through innovative media strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in biddable media and managing large budgets in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
Join an award‑winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650, you’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness and growth. The work is complex, fast‑moving and meaningful — influencing behaviour, improving public services and delivering outcomes that matter.
Role Summary & Impact
As Biddable Director for the Government New Media Unit (NMU), you will own the rapid, data‑led delivery of always‑on, tactical and reactive biddable media activity across search and social for central government. Operating within an agile, test‑and‑learn delivery model, this role prioritises speed, accountability and continuous optimisation, while ensuring all government governance, compliance and assurance requirements are met.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver rapid, data‑led biddable activity across all three operating speeds
- Lead iterative test‑and‑learn cycles, including sprints, daily optimisation and rapid hypothesis testing
- Operate effectively within short planning horizons (weekly or bi‑weekly), adapting to evolving priorities and incomplete briefs
- Capture, embed and scale learnings at pace across the NMU and wider government ecosystem
Ways of Working & Continuous Improvement
- Continually review, refine and optimise ways of working to increase speed and agility across planning, campaign setup, in‑flight optimisation, reporting and post‑campaign evaluation
- Apply foresight, pre‑mediation and proactive setup to remove friction and enable rapid delivery
- Contribute to the development of playbooks, guardrails and best‑practice frameworks for agile government biddable delivery
Governance & Decision‑Making
- Ensure all government governance, compliance and assurance requirements for biddable media are met and documented
- Balance speed with risk management through clear guardrails, approval thresholds and escalation routes
- Exercise fast, confident decision‑making within defined autonomy, acting as a trusted senior lead for clients
Budget & Performance Accountability
- Manage multi‑million‑pound budgets (£40m+) with accountability for ROI, effectiveness and value for money
- Embed real‑time, data‑driven performance management, drawing on platform signals, social insight and trend analysis
- Advise on and implement evaluation frameworks, test roadmaps and structured learning agendas
Innovation & Transformation
- Re‑imagine government communications through innovative paid and owned media approaches
- Address share of voice challenges and support activity to counter misinformation where required
- Actively leverage WPP Open and WPP AI capabilities to support automation, insight generation and optimisation within the NMU operating model
Leadership, Collaboration & Capability
- Lead and develop biddable activation talent, embedding specialist knowledge and best practice
- Work collaboratively within a fully integrated, cross‑functional team spanning strategy, creative, data and client stakeholders
- Foster a culture of fast decision‑making, learning and continuous improvement
- Contribute to capability‑building initiatives, including GCS Advance, training agendas and knowledge‑sharing forums
Skills & Experience
- Experience delivering biddable media in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments
- Expertise across the digital media and paid social landscape
- Proven experience managing large‑scale budgets with outcome accountability
- Confidence operating in regulated or complex client environments, including government
- Stakeholder management skills and advisory skills at senior level
- Comfortable operating with ambiguity, evolving briefs and rapid change
- Collaborative mindset with a clear appetite for transformation and new ways of working
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.
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.
Account Director, Biddable in London employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where creativity and innovation thrive. As part of the WPP 650 team, employees engage in meaningful projects that directly impact UK communities, while benefiting from extensive professional development opportunities, competitive benefits, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. With a hybrid working model and a focus on employee well-being, WPP Media fosters a culture of respect and growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking to make a difference in the media landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director, Biddable in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at WPP Media. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research WPP Media's recent projects and how they align with your skills. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who gets their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources. The more comfortable you are talking about your experience and ideas, the better you'll shine during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the WPP Media family.
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director, Biddable in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Director role. Highlight your experience in biddable media and how it aligns with WPP Media's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in managing large-scale budgets and delivering impactful campaigns. We love numbers, so include metrics that demonstrate your effectiveness!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value curiosity and kindness, so don’t hesitate to show us who you are and what drives you. A genuine approach can really make you stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Know Your Biddable Media Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of biddable media, especially in the context of government campaigns. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in fast-paced environments and how you've optimised campaigns based on data.
✨Showcase Your Agility
WPP Media values agility, so prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities. Think about times when you had to pivot a campaign or respond to unexpected challenges and how you managed those situations.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with different stakeholders, highlighting your communication skills and ability to foster teamwork.
✨Prepare for Governance Questions
Given the nature of government work, expect questions around compliance and governance. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles while maintaining speed and efficiency.
