Senior Associate, Direct Activation

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.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Overview

WPP Media is looking for a experienced, detail-oriented, and collaborative media professional to join our Direct Activation team as a Senior Associate.

As a Senior Associate, Direct Activation, you will serve as a key operational anchor and trusted right hand to team leadership. You will play a vital role in executing complex media investment strategies across traditional broadcast - Radio and Digital Direct channels (partnering directly with media vendor reps). You will be expected to independently lead publisher and client meetings, manage the full media investment lifecycle, and help guide and mentor junior team members (Buyers and Assistants).

We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, possesses strong expertise in traditional and digital media investment tools, and brings the confidence to manage high-volume campaigns from activation to financial reconciliation.

Campaign Activation & Execution

• Translate approved client media strategies into precise, highly effective media buys across TV, Radio, and Digital Direct channels.
• Maintain complete end-to-end stewardship of media investments, including buy entry, insertion orders, vendor negotiations, and trafficking coordination.
• Utilize Media Ocean on a daily basis to execute, track, maintain, and reconcile all media buys.
• Deal directly with publisher and media sales representatives to evaluate proposals, negotiate value, and secure optimal placements.

• Act as a key senior resource and right hand to team leadership—representing the activation team in client, agency, and vendor meetings.
• Collaborate closely with Planning, Strategy, and Ad Operations teams to ensure campaigns launch accurately and perform against client KPIs.
• Support the development and professional growth of junior team members (Buyers and Assistants) within the Ford account pod.

• Conduct pre-campaign checks and post-campaign analysis to track delivery, identify performance discrepancies, and implement optimization strategies.
• Maintain accurate documentation of buy changes, client budgets, and investment trackers.
• Oversee financial reconciliation to ensure timely and accurate billing and vendor payments.

In this role, success means:

• Becoming a relied-upon senior lead who can manage client and vendor meetings independently.
• Executing campaigns flawlessly, efficiently, and on time within Media Ocean.
• Maintaining strong, productive relationships with media sales representatives and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrating ownership over campaign stewardship from initial buy entry through financial reconciliation.
• Contributing positively to team culture and driving room for growth within the activation discipline.

What You Bring

• 1–2 years of direct media buying/investment experience in an agency or media environment.
• Mandatory Tool Experience: Strong, hands-on daily experience with Media Ocean is required.
• Channel Expertise: Proven track record in traditional broadcast Radio and Digital Direct media buying.
• Preferred System Knowledge: Experience with NLogic or Lens is considered a strong asset.
• Vendor Management: Demonstrated experience dealing directly with media sales reps and publishers for direct digital activations.
• Numerical & Analytical Skills: High comfort level managing large budgets, complex media grids, and detailed campaign metrics.
• Communication & Leadership: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the confidence to represent the team in client and vendor meetings.
• Education: College degree or University education in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field is an asset.

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.