At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rapid, data-driven social media campaigns for central government.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a leader in innovative marketing solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and generous time off.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on government communications and help shape lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in biddable media and managing large budgets.
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. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.
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. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country. Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant. You’ll tackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do. It’s demanding – but always rewarding. This is meaningful work with real‑world impact – the kind you can point to with pride.
Role Summary and Impact
As Social Account 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. This role sits within a new, fully integrated, end to end client marketing team and acts as a test bed for the Government’s ambitious media and marketing transformation programme. The successful candidate will help define and embed a new operating model for how government delivers responsive, high impact paid media.
Operating Model & Ways of Working
The NMU is designed to deliver a highly agile and responsive service, operating across three defined speeds of delivery:
- Always‑on activity: Continuous delivery, optimisation and performance management
- Tactical activity: End‑to‑end delivery (brief, creative, booking, live) within approximately two weeks
- Reactive activity: 24‑hour turnaround, from brief to creative development and live execution, responding to policy updates, announcements or external events
Key Responsibilities
Agile Delivery & Optimisation
- 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
The role will be split across the clients location and WPP 650. It will predominantly be an in person and not virtual role.
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. 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.
Account Director, Social employer: Wppmedia
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture where curiosity and kindness thrive. With access to cutting-edge resources and a commitment to meaningful work that impacts communities across the UK, employees enjoy competitive benefits, including comprehensive health plans and generous paid time off. The dynamic environment fosters innovation and continuous learning, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a real difference while advancing their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director, Social
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Wppmedia and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Wppmedia are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Wppmedia on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Wppmedia. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director, Social
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Wppmedia. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Wppmedia:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Wppmedia’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wppmedia
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Wppmedia will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Wppmedia, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
