Business Director, MM&D (Search & Social)

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Following our successful appointment to handle Skechers’ EU Performance channels, consolidating their mid- and lower-funnel conversion activity. We are currently building out a dedicated central activation team based out of London. This transition marks an exciting phase as we centralise operations and optimise their performance strategy across Europe. Joining us at the beginning of this new chapter offers a unique opportunity to help shape the account's structure, establish new ways of working, and influence how we drive digital growth for a major global brand. It is an ideal role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment and wants to play a key part in establishing a high-performing agency team from day one. 

The Performance team ensures effective translation of strategy to activation – delivering tangible revenue outcomes to Skechers. Every team member is a strategic partner to the client – clarifying, questioning and challenging client briefs to ensure all requests are aligned to deliver towards the broader business goals.  

Strategic Synthesis: 

• →Manage all digital aspects of the business through direct line management of Digital implementation across Paid Social & Paid Search workstreams. 

• →Manage and become the escalation point for the team to ensure a smooth activation of campaigns, reporting and overall channel strategy.  

• →Become the trusted advisor for all digital activities, ensuring full knowledge of on all aspects of campaign activation for questions from key clients. 

• →Lead client communications on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. 

• →Help teams develop integrated experience strategies across biddable & digital touchpoints, identify strategic opportunities for proprietary solutions growth in service of solving client business problems. 

• →Police the delivery of all tools and technology within WPP Open (our tech and tools operating system). 

• →Outline advanced data analytics/measurement frameworks to shape holistic measurement of performance media strategy and activation. 

• →Leads the development, presentation, and delivery of top-quality cross-channel planning work for larger campaigns. 

• →Plans against client outcomes – quantifying objectives and the likely impact of comms on them across all biddable practice areas, in collaboration with practice leads. 

• →Develop an advanced understanding of media channels, channel ecosystems and planning best practices. Train your team on advanced digital tactics. 

• →Start to translate strategic approach into planning practices for specific client briefs. 

• →Oversee campaign management, ensuring quality control and output is of the highest standard. 

• Work in a complex, matrixed environment, influencing stakeholders and leading cross-functional teams towards our common media goals. 

• Own deep knowledge of all WPP Open deliverables and campaign KPIs’ that have been committed to the client and share it across biddable and digital teams when/if needed. 

• Ensure knowledge sharing and communication flow remains informative, connected, and proactive to help provide repeatable, consistent activation excellence for all biddable/digital channels. 

• Monitors and ensures adherence to client and WPP Open excellence standards across practices. Proactively develops actions plans and blueprints to address any gaps and non-compliance to standards. 

• Build and maintain client and agency relationships at a mid-senior level, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders and client business.  

• Utilize advanced data analytics to understand media performance deeply, and guide optimization strategies ensuring maximum ROI. 

• Provides expert insights on the application of data science and how to effectively use client and biddable data. 

• Can confidently answer client questions and liaise with internal teams on best solutions to use. Strong knowledge of all digital channels, technology and data and how this combines to support activation. 

• Uses critical questioning and maintains a broad perspective when analysing information to gain a deeper understanding of the problem and its impact on activation of media. 

• Leads the delivery of relevant and accurate information to drive maximum impact. 

• Consistently delivers communications to influence and educate all levels of seniority, appropriately judging the demands of the situation. 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment whilst maintaining a partnership focus throughout  

• Applies big picture thinking in work and proactively leverages an understanding of the organization and key industry trends.  

• Understand the different elements of responses.  

• Applies knowledge of client, audience, channel, market and category to effectively deliver compelling multi-media digital plans.  Translates learnings and trends from strategy team to create digital activation that is effective with clear measurement. 

• Applies best practices to campaign management and acts as the escalation point for issues.  

• Provide actionable insights during mid and post-campaign reports to improve in-flight optimizations and future campaign brief recommendations. 

• Oversees team members to discuss current projects, workload and activities prioritises resources accordingly.  

• Improves workload management by supporting other in setting priorities and by postponing less relevant work. 

Life at WPP Media & Benefits 

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.  

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including 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 characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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 that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location 

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  

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