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.
Role Summary & Impact
We are seeking a visionary and performance driven Paid Search Director to lead and evolve our paid search marketing (PPC/SEM) strategies for a prestigious automotive client. In this pivotal role, you will define and execute comprehensive paid search strategies, ensuring exceptional campaign performance, driving innovation, and achieving client business objectives. You will lead a talented team, foster deep client relationships, and contribute significantly to creating hyper-personalised and impactful media experiences.
UK-based role; requires right to work in the United Kingdom.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and champion innovative, data-driven Paid Search strategies that align with client business goals, market trends, and competitive landscapes.
- Provide senior-level strategic direction and thought leadership across all aspects of paid search, including campaign structure, budgeting, strategic audience targeting, advanced value-based bidding for lead generation, ad copy testing, landing page optimization, and platform utilization.
- Identify new opportunities and emerging technologies within the paid search ecosystem (AI-driven automation, new ad formats, platform features) to deliver competitive advantage.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor and inspire a team of Paid Search Managers and Executives, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and professional growth.
- Oversee team structure, resource allocation, performance management and career-development plans for direct reports.
- Ensure the team adheres to best practices, quality standards and WPP Media processes, collaborating with offshore teams where applicable.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the senior paid search expert and primary point of contact for key clients, building strong, trusted relationships.
- Lead client presentations, strategy reviews and performance discussions, articulating complex paid search concepts and insights clearly.
- Collaborate effectively with internal planning, digital performance, account management, analytics and creative teams to deliver integrated media solutions.
- Actively participate in new business pitches and growth opportunities, showcasing WPP Media’s paid search capabilities.
Performance & Optimization Oversight
- Direct the execution and optimization of large-scale paid search campaigns across platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, Amazon Ads), ensuring delivery against ambitious KPIs, ROAS/ROI targets and client P&L objectives.
- Oversee comprehensive performance analysis, identify critical trends and insights, and translate them into actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Drive innovation in testing methodologies (A/B, multivariate, incrementality testing), audience segmentation and attribution to maximize efficiency.
Platform & Industry Expertise
- Maintain expert-level knowledge of core paid search platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising) and advanced bid management automation platforms (Search Ads 360).
- Deep understanding of web analytics platforms (Google Analytics), conversion tracking, data integration and retail-focused advertising strategies.
- Stay abreast of platform updates, algorithm changes, privacy regulations and competitive landscape shifts.
- Foster strong relationships with key platform representatives and industry partners.
Skills & Experience
- Be Extraordinary, Collectively Inspire, Create an Open environment, Lead Optimistically – embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values.
Required Qualifications
- Extensive experience in Paid Search (PPC/SEM) marketing, significant portion in a leadership or strategic role within a media agency or client-side.
- Proven track record of developing and executing large-scale paid search strategies that drive measurable business results and exceed ROAS/ROI targets.
- Experience leading, mentoring and managing a team of paid search specialists.
- Expert proficiency in Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) and advanced bid management/automation platforms (Search Ads 360, Kenshoo, Skai, Marin).
- Deep understanding of web analytics (Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics), conversion tracking and cross-channel attribution.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to interpret complex data and translate into actionable insights.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication and presentation skills, influencing senior clients and internal stakeholders.
- Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Passion for the evolving paid search landscape, digital innovation and client growth.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our culture focuses on Be Extraordinary, Lead Optimistically and create an Open environment. WPP Media employees can leverage the global WPP network, pursue professional growth and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.
Benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision and dental insurance, paid time off, partner discounts and mental health awareness days. WPP Media operates a hybrid model with teams in the office approximately four days a week. Employees may discuss accommodations or flexibility with the hiring team during the interview process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team.
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