Account Director, Programmatic

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.

This role is within Wavemaker, a leading brand within WPP Media, where you will be instrumental in driving best-in-class programmatic strategy, execution, and innovation across a portfolio of high-profile clients.

As a Programmatic Account Director, you will lead a team across both the UK and global hubs, with full ownership of end-to-end campaign delivery. You will play a key role in shaping programmatic strategy, driving performance outcomes, and strengthening client partnerships while ensuring operational excellence and continuous innovation.

You will collaborate closely with digital planning teams and senior stakeholders to deliver measurable business impact, maximise investment value, and grow programmatic adoption across your client portfolio.

• 5+ years’ experience in programmatic/display media planning and activation
• Proven experience leading programmatic campaigns across multiple buying platforms (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk, Amazon)
• Strong understanding of the wider digital ecosystem and the role of programmatic within integrated media strategies

• Demonstrated experience managing, coaching, and developing high-performing teams (including offshore teams)
• Strong client leadership skills, with experience building relationships at a senior level
• Confident presenter, with experience leading QBRs, strategic reviews, and new business pitches

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret large datasets and translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
• Experience building and executing robust testing frameworks (audiences, creative, media, optimisation strategies)

• Proven ability to manage full campaign lifecycle from planning through to reporting
• Strong experience improving processes, implementing best practices, and driving operational efficiencies
• High attention to detail with a focus on quality assurance, financial accuracy, and campaign performance

• Ability to align programmatic solutions to client business objectives
• Experience identifying growth opportunities and driving innovation within accounts
• Strong negotiation skills to deliver optimal value and performance outcomes

• Oversee end-to-end programmatic campaign management across multiple clients
• Ensure best-in-class activation, optimisation, and reporting standards
• Drive innovation through testing agendas, new formats, and beta opportunities
• Work closely with planning teams to develop integrated media strategies and grow programmatic investment

• Act as the senior programmatic lead for clients, owning strategy and performance discussions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, media owners, and technology partners
• Lead key meetings including QBRs, strategic reviews, and planning sessions
• Ensure client objectives are clearly understood and translated into actionable plans

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of managers and executives across markets
• Create a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement
• Support career development through structured training and personalised development plans
• Act as a key escalation point for team and client issues

• Ensure accuracy and quality across campaign setup, optimisation, and reporting
• Oversee financial processes including billing, reconciliation, and forecasting
• Improve workflows and processes to drive efficiency and consistency across teams
• Maintain strong governance and compliance across all programmatic activity