At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead paid search strategies for top-tier clients and drive innovative media solutions.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a creative powerhouse transforming the marketing landscape.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous time off, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work model and thrive in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of media with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in search marketing and strong leadership skills required.
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.
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.
Role Summary and Impact
As a Senior Search Associate Director, you will serve as the strategic lead for paid search across a portfolio of high profile clients. You will own the direction and effectiveness of search activation while shaping how search integrates into broader media strategies. Operating as a senior leader within the Search team, you will set the vision for your client group alongside the Director, influence cross departmental processes and decision making, and partner to define the roadmap for best practices, innovation, and team growth. You will also play a key role within the WPP Media Search Community driving thought leadership, representing the agency with partners, and helping to define best in class standards together with the network.
Key Responsibilities
- Performance Management: Take full strategic ownership of paid search performance across large spending client portfolio, setting ambition and direction in partnership with senior client stakeholders. Develop paid search best practices, ensuring adherence to controls and processes. Act as the escalation point for paid search strategic problems, proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and growth pathways. Champion innovation by testing and scaling new Google/Microsoft products and AI capabilities.
- Client & Partner Management: Operate as the most senior day-to-day search lead, and strategic partner to client stakeholders. Influence broader integrated planning conversations, ensuring search has a seat at the table in defining brand and performance outcomes. Represent WPP Media with platform partners, contributing to joint business plans, beta programmes, and capability building initiatives.
- People Management: Reports to the Search Director. Directly manage and develop a team, setting high standards for delivery, communication, and craft expertise. Support on resource shaping, succession planning, and long-term team capability development. Contribute to recruitment efforts for your team, acting as an ambassador for EssenceMediacom and WPP Media. Shape the culture of your team through clear leadership behaviours, coaching, and championing collaboration across offices and markets.
- Operational Excellence: Drive operational and process excellence, ensuring your team is efficient, effective and fully utilising WPP Media’s suite of AI tools, tech, and automation capabilities. Contribute to commercial planning and identify opportunities for service evolution, scope expansion, and new revenue opportunities with clients. Ensure full governance and compliance across financial, operational, and activation workflows.
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.
Deep platform expertise with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and SA360, with a strong significant experience leading complex search clients, either with multi-market, high profile or growth clients. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders. Strong track record in developing and managing people. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional workstreams and collaborate effectively with Media, Planning, Data, Analytics, and Creative. Deep platform expertise with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and SA360, with a strong understanding of how AI, automation, and audience signals are evolving performance marketing.
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. 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.
Senior Search Associate Director in Manchester employer: WPP Media
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a dynamic work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. With access to cutting-edge resources and a commitment to professional development, employees can engage in meaningful work while enjoying competitive benefits, including generous paid time off and mental health awareness initiatives. Located in the UK, WPP Media fosters a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member has the opportunity to excel and contribute to transformative marketing solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Search Associate Director in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at WPP Media or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. WPP Media is all about creativity and collaboration, so think of examples from your past that showcase these traits.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! If you're applying for a role like Senior Search Associate Director, be ready to discuss your experience with Google Ads and Microsoft Ads. Bring data and results to back up your claims.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at WPP Media.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Search Associate Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Search Associate Director role. Highlight your experience with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and any relevant AI capabilities. We want to see how your skills align with our vision at WPP Media!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage and develop teams. Share examples of how you've influenced cross-functional workstreams and contributed to team growth. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and lead effectively!
Be Data-Driven:Since this role is all about performance management, make sure to include specific metrics or results from your previous roles. Show us how you've driven growth through data and analytics – we’re all about that at WPP Media!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at WPP Media!
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of paid search strategies, especially with platforms like Google Ads and Microsoft Ads. Brush up on the latest trends in AI and automation in performance marketing, as this will show your expertise and readiness to lead.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams and influencing senior stakeholders. Think about specific situations where you’ve driven results or improved processes, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively within the Search team.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with WPP Media’s core values and how they align with your own. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their culture of creativity, collaboration, and trust, as cultural fit is just as important as skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their approach to integrating search into broader media strategies or how they envision the future of AI in their operations. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also your strategic thinking.
