Paid Search Senior Account Executive

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. For more information, visit wppmedia.com [wppmedia.com]. 2402 - Paid Search Account Director - EMEA Role Summary and Impact At EssenceMediacom we want to eradicate inequity. We don't tolerate it and when we see it, we act. We attract, support and develop our talent without bias and strive to foster the empathy, creativity and diversity of thought needed to drive meaningful change for our people, our clients, our industry and our society. WPP and GroupM have already made strong commitments [https://www.wpp.com/commitment-to-anti-racism] to combat racial injustice. While we are part of this group, we know we have an individual responsibility as an employer and an industry leader to fight against racism. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, that’s okay, and we encourage you to apply anyway to find out more about whether this is the right match for you. Did you know that marginalised groups, including women, people of colour and people with a disability, are more likely to discount themself for a role if they don't feel they meet every requirement or understand the reasonable adjustment that can be made? This is why we encourage connection and conversation to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and information needed to find the right role for them. If this role isn’t quite right, you may be the perfect fit for another – so go ahead, apply and find out! About Sony PlayStation Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Global Leader in entertainment and innovation. Since the launch of the original PlayStation in 1994, PlayStation has continued to redefine how people play, delivering world-class hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games to a global audience. As one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable brands, PlayStation sets the bar high. At the same time, teams operate in a collaborative and supportive environment, where curiosity, ownership and continuous improvement are encouraged. This is an opportunity to work on a globally loved brand, and contribute to impactful, differentiated and efficient Paid Search execution that keeps PlayStation at the forefront of the industry. Intro to the Role As a Paid Search Account Director, you will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination, delivery and continuous optimisation of PlayStation’s Paid Search activity across multiple EMEA markets. Working closely with the Senior Account Director, you will play a key role in defining strategic direction, and translating it into flawless execution, ensuring campaigns are delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with performance targets. Success in this role requires strong leadership, initiative, and the ability to work well within multi-market teams. Key Responsibilities CAMPAIGN DELIVERY * Lead the day-to-day delivery of Paid Search campaigns, across Google Ads/Search Ads 360, ensuring alignment with client KPIs * Work closely with activation teams (onshore and offshore), guiding Account Executives to ensure best-in-class and flawless execution (QAs, launch readiness, performance optimisation, budget pacing) * Ensure adherence to platform best practices and maintain strong account hygiene. * Develop a strong understanding of PlayStation’s business objectives, proactively identifying growth opportunities, trends, and new platform capabilities * Deliver clear, insightful reporting and present to clients Quarterly Business Reviews, including testing frameworks and strategic recommendations * Stay ahead of industry trends, platform evolution, and emerging technologies driving innovation across the account CLIENT & PARTNER MANAGEMENT * Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor * Communicate confidently with senior stakeholders providing clear insights and actionable recommendations * Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and effective delivery * Monitor PlayStation’s competitive environment to shape strategic solutions PEOPLE MANAGEMENT * Lead, mentor, and develop the competencies of the team, ensuring continuous upskilling * Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, initiative, excellence in execution and high performance standards * Oversee junior team members’ workloads, ensuring effective prioritisation and timely delivery against deadlines OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE * Ensure strong adherence to Paid Search best practices, internal processes and governance * Oversee financial management, including budget pacing, forecasting and reconciliations * Maintain high standards of accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail across all deliverables Skills and Experience  * Experience within a similar role within an agency environment. * Strong experience managing performance-driven campaigns, with a focus on ROAS optimisation and revenue growth * Deep expertise in Google Ads and SA360, including campaign setup, optimisation and reporting * Strong understanding of Search strategic and tactical applications in full-funnel digital marketing * Proven experience across Performance Max and traditional Search campaign formats * Experience leading/developing teams, and establishing robust ways of working * Excellent project management, stakeholder management, and communication skills * Comfortable managing budgets, forecasts, and performance across multiple markets * Highly analytical, with the ability to build and leverage data visualisation/reporting into clear, actionable and commercial insights (Data Studio a plus) * Excellent organisation and communication skills * Naturally curious, proactive, and eager to learn * Strong organisational skills and attention to detail * Passionate about digital marketing, performance, and continuous improvement 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  Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy] for more information on how we process the information you provide.    While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.     #LI-Promoted  Please read our Privacy Notice [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment] for more information on how we process the information you provide.

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. For more information, visit wppmedia.com [wppmedia.com]. 3048 - Director, Planning, UK Role Summary and Impact EssenceMediacom, part of WPP, 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. The Role: In this role you will work across the EE/BT consumer account, focusing on EE’s brand activity across a variety of products including Mobile, Broadband, TV and Gaming, as well as Masterbrand. Position/Title: Business Director - Brand We’re looking for a highly experienced, smart planner who loves both new ideas and the craft.  EE/BT is one of the biggest advertisers in the UK, so our benchmark is not work that’s merely good enough - it has to be great. Practice Summary: As planners we’re the conductors of the orchestra that is paid [and beyond] media.  We work collaboratively with Strategy and Activation to ensure our approach is fully integrated across POES.  We search for insight and intelligence so that we can build innovative media plans, owning the process and incorporating cross-channel budget allocation, in-flight cross-channel optimisation, reporting and post-campaign analysis. We are our clients’ key contacts for a unified view across all aspects of their campaigns. Position Summary: The Business Director will oversee media campaigns with support from more junior planners and assist the Client Lead in ensuring our work is delivered to the highest quality. They will be responsible for elevating our agency's strategic planning function through a robust, data-first approach. This role is key to integrating advanced analytical capabilities with creative strategic development, ensuring our recommendations are always evidence-based and ahead of the curve. They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the overall media landscape and available research, using these to inform and communicate planning recommendations. The Business Director has oversight and responsibility for the day-to-day management of media plans, working to fulfill the client’s media strategy in the context of changing market conditions. They are responsible for ensuring investment is optimal to deliver campaign objectives, via effective planning. Our clients: We work across the EE/BT group.  Although their public faces are very different, the two brands are managed very closely together.  They’re one of the nation’s biggest spenders, and some of our most-loved brands.  They are genuinely important to the nation with their creation and management of the UK’s connectivity networks, and we reflect that importance with how we try to help consumers and give them useful solutions in a modern world. Our team: Team Connect is a very big team that is 100% allocated to EE, BT and Plusnet.  A successful candidate can expect to work on multiple aspects of these brands. This includes broadband, mobile, TV, as well as Masterbrand. This role is purely Brand focused but will involve close collaboration with Performance planners. Skills and Experience:  Essential Functions/Responsibilities * Maintain fantastic relationships with key clients in media and marketing teams. * Ensure the delivery of high-quality response presentations, actionable weekly reporting, insightful post campaign analyses and clear briefs to Activation. * Deliver clear and compelling rationale to support media investment recommendations and to evidence campaign performance versus expected outcomes. * Spearhead the integration of data analytics and insights into the core of our strategic planning processes, ensuring data is used proactively and upfront in all client engagements and internal initiatives. * Accelerate AI adoption and transformation across the team, ensuring we are regularly sharing work and that clients see the tangible benefits of WPP Open. * Take a lead role in developing and presenting best-in-class Strategic Response to Briefs (RTBs). * Support ADs in delivering Media Detail RTBs and in briefing Activation teams. * Work closely with the Head of Strategy & Planning on wider cross-portfolio strategic workstreams. * Oversee and quality assure all deliverables produced by junior team members. * Work with Activation and Analytics in the delivery and measurement of plans. * Take responsibility for the performance of assigned media budgets against intended outcomes. * Be a point of escalation for team issues (within and outside the team). * Contribute to internal thought leadership and team process/workflow enhancement, to increase work quality and efficiency. * Line-manage 3 direct reports (AD, AM, SAE), supporting their career development and driving job satisfaction. Competencies (specific knowledge, skills and abilities) * Advanced knowledge of media landscape, media metric calculations and measurement techniques. * Thorough understanding of industry standard media research tools (ComScore, Touchpoints, TGI, YouGov). * Demonstrable expertise in understanding, interpreting, and applying various data sources (e.g., market research, digital analytics, social listening, econometrics, CRM data, first-party data). * Deep understanding of current market trends, consumer behaviour, and the evolving media landscape. * Superb client relationship and management skills. * Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data and insights into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences. (internal teams, clients, senior leadership). * Highly collaborative, comfortable working cross-functionally with data, analytics, research, and creative teams. * Proven track record of leading, inspiring, and upskilling more junior planners, fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. * Excellent organisational skills, close attention to detail and ability to quality-control work. * Forecast expected outcomes of brand and performance campaigns and manage investment accordingly. * Basic spreadsheet capabilities (VLOOKUP, Pivot Table) are a must. * Superior presentation design skills, in slides or document format. * Ability to adhere to deadlines and project manage multiple campaigns. * Development and maintenance of productive relationships with media owner partners. * Proven problem solving and decision-making skills. * Ability to work independently and to collaborate in a team environment. * Skilled in quantitative reasoning. Management Responsibility * Motivate a team, leading by example while coaching juniors - cultivating a dynamic and inquisitive culture where hypothesis-driven thinking is central to problem-solving. * Provide timely and actionable feedback to aid in team development and improvement. * Monitor and support satisfaction across the team, identifying and implementing ways to maintain or increase satisfaction. * Foster strong working relationships across the team to facilitate flawless execution of plans. * Communicate effectively across all levels of the team, understanding when to escalate issues to leadership. * Calculate the workload implication of new campaigns and feed into resource management. * Provide awareness and recognition for jobs well done. Required Education and Experience * At least six to eight years of experience in a pure planning role. * Demonstrable interest and expertise in planning craft. * Data literate with demonstrable expertise in understanding, interpreting, and applying various data sources. * Mastery of planning/insight tools such as eTelmar, TGI, YouGov, WARC, etc. * Strong experience and interest in dedicated planning tools. * Interest and knowledge of Planning and Media trends and issues. * Proven experience in media at Senior Manager level. 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 this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location. Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy]) for more information on how we process the information you provide.  While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  #LI-Promoted Please read our Privacy Notice [https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy#:~:text=WPP%20Media%20Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Recruitment] for more information on how we process the information you provide.