W
Associate Director, Activation & Delivery, GCS
Contract type
Ongoing
Work mode
Hybrid · United Kingdom
Experience
Lead / principal · Not stated
Level inferred from job title
Job description
A Search & Ecommerce Account Director leads the strategic development, execution, and performance of integrated biddable activity across Google Ads and Amazon Search, acting as senior client contact and leading onshore and offshore teams.
At a glance
- Work mode
- Hybrid · United Kingdom
What you'll do
- Lead the development of holistic Search & Ecommerce strategies across Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max) and Amazon Search (Sponsored Ads ecosystem)
- Ensure strategies are aligned to client business objectives, KPIs, and commercial priorities
- Translate broader marketing strategy into channel-specific activation frameworks
- Identify growth opportunities across demand capture (Search) and retail media (Amazon)
- Drive integration between Search, Ecommerce, and wider media channels (Paid Social, Programmatic, SEO)
- Develop forward-thinking POVs on industry trends, platform developments, and emerging opportunities
- Act as the primary senior contact for Search & Ecommerce across your client portfolio
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, becoming a trusted strategic advisor
- Lead client meetings, presentations, quarterly reviews, and strategic planning sessions
- Clearly articulate performance, insights, and forward strategy
- Identify opportunities to grow client investment and expand scope
- Maintain ultimate accountability for performance delivery across all Search & Ecommerce activity
- Oversee campaign execution across Google Ads and Amazon platforms, ensuring alignment with strategy
- Ensure robust optimisation frameworks are in place across bidding & automation, feed optimisation, and query, audience, and keyword strategies
- Lead performance reviews, identifying risks and opportunities
- Ensure rigorous testing frameworks are defined and executed
- Ensure all campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards
- Maintain strong governance across QA processes, financial management and invoicing, and platform best practice adherence
- Drive improvements in workflows, automation, and efficiency
- Ensure clear documentation of processes and ways of working
- Lead development of test & learn roadmaps across Search and Ecommerce
- Identify opportunities to leverage new platform capabilities (e.g., PMAX, AI bidding, Amazon innovations)
- Contribute to agency thought leadership, case studies, and award submissions
- Actively participate in the wider Search and Commerce communities within WPP Media
- Define and manage ways of working between onshore strategy teams and offshore execution teams
What we're looking for
- Extensive experience across Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max)
- Extensive experience across Amazon Search / Retail Media ecosystems
- Proven track record of leading performance-driven search and ecommerce strategies
- Strong understanding of full-funnel media strategy and cross-channel integration
- Advanced analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights
- Experience managing large-scale, complex accounts and budgets
- Strong client leadership experience, including senior stakeholder management
- Experience managing and developing multi-layered teams (including offshore models)
- Deep understanding of bidding strategies, feed-based media, automation, and measurement
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Right to work in the UK
Your team
Search & Ecommerce
Benefits
Frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events
- Competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance
- Significant paid time off
- Preferential partner discounts
- Employee mental health awareness days
- Employee resource groups
Apply
About WPP Media
WPP's AI-driven media operating unit
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.
Key facts
- Media and advertising
- Uses WPP Open and Open Intelligence
- Teams in the office around four days a week