At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform operational challenges into innovative tech solutions and automate workflows.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in AI-driven media solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work environment with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in revolutionising how teams work with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proficient in Python and SQL; experience with cloud platforms is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ 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. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.
Role Summary and Impact We are looking for a highly autonomous and innovative Rapid Prototyping & Automation Developer to join the Global Automation Squad Team within the MFG Core Solution (Data and Tech). In this role, you will act as a bridge between operational challenges and technical solutions. Your primary mission is to identify bottlenecks across all disciplines within the MFG team, rethink existing processes to be more performant, and rapidly engineer Proof of Concepts (POCs) to automate and streamline these workflows. You will not just be writing code; you will be acting as an internal product engineer—owning the entire lifecycle from spotting an inefficiency to independently building, shipping, and tracking the utilization of robust technical solutions. If you thrive on complete autonomy, love building practical tools from scratch, and have a passion for transforming how teams work, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Process Re-engineering & Rapid Prototyping
- Identify Bottlenecks: Proactively partner with cross-functional MFG teams to discover repetitive tasks, operational inefficiencies, and workflow roadblocks.
- Rethink Processes: Challenge the status quo by designing more efficient, tech-enabled workflows rather than just automating bad processes.
- Build POCs: Rapidly code, build, and deploy Proof of Concepts and internal tools (e.g., campaign generators, forecasting tools, diagnostic trackers) to solve immediate business needs.
- Technical Execution & Automation
- API Integrations: Engineer robust tools to seamlessly extract, schedule, and manipulate complex data directly via platform APIs (e.g., Google Ads, DV360, CM360, BigQuery, as well as internal APIs).
- Cloud Infrastructure: Deploy and manage automated solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Diagnostic & Tracking Tools: Build systems to systematically evaluate tracking setups, flag errors, and monitor the internal utilization (and therefore values) of your toolset.
- Product Ownership & Leadership
- End-to-End Autonomy: Operate as a self-directed problem solver, taking ideas from the whiteboard to fully functioning internal products.
- Cross-Functional Enablement: Act as a technical mentor and advocate for automation best practices across the broader organization.
Skills and Experience
- Technical Requirements:
- Programming Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL is mandatory. Familiarity with Javascript is a plus.
- Cloud Experience: Hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is highly preferred, given our stack. However, strong previous experience architecting solutions on AWS or Azure is fully acceptable.
- Data & APIs: Proven track record of building complex data integrations, utilizing RESTful APIs, and working within data warehousing environments (like BigQuery).
- Prototyping Frameworks: Experience building quick UI/UX layers for internal tools (e.g., Streamlit, Google Sheets add-ons, Data Studio/Looker).
- Professional Profile:
- Experience: Experience in product engineering, technical automation, or a media technology role.
- AdTech Familiarity (Bonus): Previous exposure to digital media platforms (Google Ads, DV360, Adverity, etc.) is highly advantageous but not strictly required if you are a fast learner.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
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.
While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Rapid Prototyping & Automation Developer in London employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture in the heart of Greater London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer competitive benefits and a hybrid work model that encourages creativity and flexibility, making it an ideal environment for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the media landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rapid Prototyping & Automation Developer in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at WPP Media or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to WPP Media.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like WPP Media.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like WPP Media that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Rapid Prototyping & Automation Developer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at WPP Media.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at WPP Media and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If WPP Media uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
