Associate Director, Media Activation

The role

You will lead the strategy, activation and optimization of cross-channel biddable media programs, with a focus on Programmatic and YouTube, and support Paid Social and other digital channels. You will bridge day-to-day campaign activation with broader media planning, and mentor team members.

What you will do

• Lead Programmatic and YouTube strategies, while supporting integrated Paid Social and biddable media initiatives
• Oversee campaign activation across Programmatic Display, Video, CTV, YouTube, Paid Social and other emerging digital channels
• Provide strategic recommendations and performance insights to clients and internal stakeholders
• Bridge day-to-day activation with broader media planning and strategy
• Partner with analytics and measurement teams to set KPIs and evaluate performance
• Identify testing and innovation opportunities in targeting, automation and ad technology
• Oversee campaign execution, pacing, optimization, quality assurance and budget management
• Provide hands-on guidance and oversight to junior team members
• Collaborate with media partners, ad technology platforms and publishers
• Keep senior leadership informed of client opportunities, trends and risks

Required qualifications

• Experience leading biddable media activation, with a strong background in Programmatic and YouTube advertising
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying, campaign optimization, audience targeting, measurement and performance reporting
• Experience balancing hands-on campaign activation with strategic planning and team leadership
• Significant client-facing experience, including presenting performance insights and recommendations
• Strong communication, problem-solving and collaboration skills across multiple teams and priorities

Nice to have

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years of experience in biddable media activation
• Hands-on experience with The Trade Desk (TTD), DV360 and Google Ads/YouTube
• Experience across Paid Social platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit and X
• Prior experience managing and mentoring junior team members
• Agency experience
• Experience supporting entertainment, theatrical or film marketing campaigns

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package; details at mybenefits.wpp.com

Before you apply

• Base salary range applies to US locations as posted

About the company

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. It works through the WPP Open platform.