At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commerce strategy for top brands, connecting media investment to consumer journeys.
- Company: Join WPP Media, a pioneering agency at the forefront of AI-driven marketing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous time off, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on employee growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape innovative strategies and collaborate with talented teams on impactful campaigns.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in media strategy and strong client management skills.
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.
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 designed for the new communications economy built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.
Summary and Impact
The Role:
We are seeking an experienced Commerce Associate Director to join the growing community in WPP Media’s Commerce Practice. This is a senior leadership role within the practice, responsible for shaping commerce strategy, not just retail media execution, for a portfolio of leading global and regional brands across sectors including technology, FMCG, retail, and beauty. You will act as a trusted commerce advisor to clients, connecting media investment to the broader path-to-purchase and helping shape multi-year commerce roadmaps.
The 3 Best Things About the Job:
- The opportunity to shape genuine commerce strategy, not just retail media execution, across a diverse portfolio of well-known brands with a shared desire for innovation and growth.
- Working within a truly collaborative agency model with great opportunities for continued cross-media and performance marketing learning.
- A talented team supporting each other in implementing best-in-class, award-winning campaigns, and having fun along the way.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Client Growth
- Act as the senior strategic lead for key client accounts, translating complex business objectives into high-impact commerce media strategies across Amazon Sponsored Ads, Amazon DSP, CitrusAd, Criteo, Kevel, and other relevant retail media platforms.
- Lead senior client business reviews, providing a clear narrative on the holistic impact of media investment.
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients, identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and expanded scope across the commerce ecosystem.
- Campaign Excellence & Innovation
- Oversee the development and execution of performance-driven media plans, ensuring the highest standards of QA, pacing, and optimisation across your portfolio of accounts.
- Develop and champion test-and-learn roadmaps to drive innovation in targeting, bidding strategies, and emerging retail media formats.
- Collaborate closely with wider internal teams to ensure a joined-up, full-funnel approach to media across all client accounts.
- Team Leadership & Practice Evolution
- Line manage, mentor, and develop a team of activation specialists, setting the standard for quality, delivery, and professional growth.
- Take ultimate responsibility for the quality of work delivered by your team, ensuring consistency and excellence across all accounts.
- Proactively contribute to the evolution of best practice within the wider eCommerce Practice, sharing successes and learnings across the team.
- Manage scope, forecasting, budgets, and profitability across your portfolio of accounts, and drive process automation through the adoption of new technology and efficient ways of working.
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.
About you
- A proven media agency background, with significant senior experience in Commerce and retail media strategy or a transferable media channel.
- Strong hands-on experience running campaigns in Amazon Sponsored Ads and DSP.
- Solid working knowledge of CitrusAd and Criteo (onsite and offsite retail media).
- Confidence managing senior client stakeholders, simplifying complex performance results into clear, actionable recommendations.
- A genuine passion for coaching and building capability within your team.
- Experience of Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) or retailer clean room analytics would be a nice to have but is not required.
- Exposure to wider commerce channels (e.g. Tesco Media or similar) is advantageous.
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.
Associate Director, Commerce in London employer: Wppmedia
WPP Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, offering employees the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the vibrant setting of Greater London. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, we provide ample opportunities for skill development and career advancement, ensuring that our team members are equipped to deliver outstanding client solutions. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Commerce in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
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✨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.
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✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Commerce in London
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.
