Social Account Director in London

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth.

About EssenceMediacom: A Leading WPP Media Brand. EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world’s best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers.

We are the EssenceMediacom Worldwide Paid Social team, servicing both centrally executed campaigns in multiple languages as well as coordinating and supporting strategic directions across markets. We are looking for a driven and enthusiastic Paid Social specialist to join EssenceMediacom Worldwide as a Paid Social Account Director. This opportunity will involve the creation and execution of Paid Social strategies. Client servicing to the highest standards is an integral element to this role, not only to serve existing clients, but to also grow new business pipelines. It will also involve the management of more junior team members, nurturing their paid social skill sets, with the expansion of further resources based on client successes.

You will need a proven track record in paid social, ideally for a blend of direct response & brand client base. Having worked in the delivery of paid social strategy and operations, managing individuals, and fostering strong client relationships. The successful candidate will be able to develop their career with EssenceMediacom as they will be enabled to continually improve and expand on their paid social skills, with growth opportunities both upwards and sideways. The candidate will also have the opportunity to work across a diverse client base and help to shape and inform client strategy.

Accountabilities include:

• Strategic Skills: Ensuring that Social best practice and frameworks are adhered to and be able to demonstrate continued account evolution. Understanding and advising on the difference between brand vs direct response campaigns. To understand Social within the wider marketing mix, its strategic importance throughout the customer journey. Create/design Social biddable media strategy for client portfolio with managers. Ensure strategy is clear and most appropriate to the client's objectives and KPIs with managers. Ensure the quality of delivery and that strategy is effectively implementable by the team. To identify areas of, and present back, opportunities (or limitations) that exists for the client's business. Seeking opportunities to innovate. Build and maintain relationships with social tools and third-party technology partners. Build and own relationships with media owners including Facebook, X, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and others.
• Client Account Management: Manage the relationship with the client principle and ensure client and agency aspirations are aligned. To manage both internal and external stakeholders understanding of Paid Social, through education and relevant communication. To act as a representative of the Paid Social department and EssenceMediacom at all times. To build relationships throughout the company, identify opportunity for client growth. To manage client output (reports, PCAs, plans), prioritisation of tasks, and ensure communications are tailored to the audience and the requirements of the brief. Constantly feedback to line Manager and wider Account team relating to client developments, opportunities and pressures. Build and sustain professional and collaborative working relationships with clients. Receive and respond to client briefs using data and insight to inform strategy, targeting and KPI’s together with Associate Director.
• Operating and Technical Requirements: Overseeing planning, optimisation, uploading, reporting and campaign management across all social media channels. Ensure robust operational process and workflow across paid social media advertising campaigns in line with EssenceMediacom internal process and industry best practice. Managing the effective day to day running of the accounts that sit within your remit. Ensuring financial accuracy, through the planning and buying process, and reconciliation of spends, including client terms and associated Social fees. The integration and understanding of Social and other biddable channels within the wider context of client business and media mix, by both internal and external stakeholders. The appropriate use of tools to drive operational efficiencies and actionable business insights; Act responsibly and professionally at all times, representing the team, department and company. Be responsible for 100% accuracy in media bookings and invoices; Monitor, identify and test new FMP or third-party technology platforms as appropriate. Build strong partnerships with vendors to ensure up-to-date knowledge of platform changes, product roadmaps and beta test opportunities.
• People Management: Manage, motivate and train individuals, in line with business requirements, resource, and development needs. Ensure individuals workloads are managed and prioritised in line with client needs. Support and nurture junior employees, ensuring their training and development needs are constantly evaluated and fulfilled. Clearly outline tasks and objectives with the Associate Director, with specific deliverables and timelines for progression. Have identified training requirements with Line Manager, and a formal plan for delivery over 3-6 months. Be responsible for the team’s development (their 360’s and task & objectives), and to be tied in to their own objectives. Manage the day to day running of the team with the support of Associate Director. Highlight great teamwork, and client initiatives. Demonstrate examples of Social best practice to the wider team and contribute to department and wider agency. Diarise weekly “WIP” catch-ups, and regular task reviews. Complete weekly time sheets, holiday/sickness forms, CPD.
• New business: Support Head of Paid Social responding to RFIs and RFPs. Participate in pitches and help with new business wins.

Skills and Experience: At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values: Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity. Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust. Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise. An advanced understanding of Paid Social principles. An understanding and passion for social media, content & creative best practices. Moderate level of experience in optimising digital media across one or more channels including Google Display Network, Google AdWords, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. Excellent Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills. Excellent project management skills. Effective and efficient working style. Reporting experience and understanding of analytics tools. Highly organised. Team player. Excellent written & verbal English language skills/grammar; a strong communicator.

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.