About WPP Media
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to
build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more
information, visit wpp.com.
WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere
and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to
create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit
wppmedia.com.
At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what
elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each
other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core
values:
- Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational
Creativity.
- Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client
Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
- Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the
Enterprise.
POSITION
Director, Programmatic Excellence
ORGANIZATION
Agency
WPP Media
Department
MMD + Investments
Location
Toronto
FUNCTION
Grade
GRD8
Reporting to
GAD, Sell-Side Excellence & Optimization
Manage teams
Directors, Managers
of Direct Reports
TBD
IMPACT
The Director of Programmatic Excellence will collaborate on the strategic
development and execution of our partner allocation strategy for all buy-side
programmatic investments, including display, video, and advanced TV. This role
demands extensive experience in managing sophisticated demand-side strategies
and a deep understanding of the intricacies of programmatic platforms, both from
the demand and supply perspectives. Collaborating closely with programmatic
activation teams, the Director will set a new standard for buy-side,
optimization and performance strategies with proper resource allocation while
ensuring strong commitments to WPP Media demand side partners. Additionally,
this individual will be continually monitoring campaign performance across all
demand-side initiatives to ensure proper practices are being met. Serving as the
primary escalation point for programmatic teams regarding strategic
partnerships, the Director will also act as the key liaison for all demand-side
partners, fostering relationships that drive success and innovation in our
programmatic endeavors.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
DSP Partnerships Management and Resource allocation:
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key DSP partners to drive
mutual growth and innovation.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment with DSP goals and
objectives.
- Achieve and hit deal partner commitments while exploring opportunities to
onboard to strategic partners
- Lead the onboarding process for new DSP partners, ensuring a seamless
integration and operational readiness.
- Develop and execute managed service strategies that align to Nexus needs and
while maintaining exceptional support and value for our clients
Optimization and Brand Safety Strategy Development:
- Design and implement optimization strategies to enhance performance across
all DSP partnerships.
- Utilize data analytics and performance metrics to identify areas for
improvement and implement actionable solutions.
- Create repeatable and evolved optimization, playbook strategies that can help
the activation team achieve the best outcomes while client needs while
inspiring a test and learn culture
- Responsible for upholding gold standard practices as it relates to brand
safety and fraud detection and mitigation
- Creating, maintaining and executing of inclusion listing and blocklisting
site list to increase performance and decrease/eliminate low quality
inventory
- Work directly with strategic partners as well as internal Global stakeholders
to ensure WPP Media is ahead of the curve when it relates to brand safety
trends
Product Evolution:
- Collaborate with product management and development teams to identify and
implement enhancements to existing products and services as they become
available within our dedicated partnerships
- Drive initiatives that promote innovation in product offerings, ensuring they
meet market demands and client needs
Margin and Performance Management:
- Oversee margin management initiatives to maximize profitability across DSP
partnerships while maintaining our performance goals
- Analyze pricing structures, operational costs, and performance metrics to
optimize margins and drive financial performance.
Certification Management:
- Oversee the certification processes for DSP partners, ensuring compliance
with industry standards and company policies.
- Stay updated on certification requirements and best practices to maintain
high operational standards.
Bidding Strategies:
- Develop and refine bidding strategies that maximize return on ad spend (ROAS)
and align with client objectives.
- Monitor market trends and competitor strategies to inform bidding practices
and decision-making.
Team Leadership and Development:
- Lead and mentor a team of operational excellence professionals, fostering a
culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Provide training and support to ensure team members are knowledgeable about
industry trends and operational best practices.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with Investment and solutions teams to align operational
initiatives, deal partner pacing and client business objectives.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure transparency and
alignment across the organization.
- Serve as the primary point of contact in Canada for global programmatic
investment initiatives, representing Canadian market needs and ensuring
alignment with global WPP Media strategies.
- Adapt and implement global WPP Media programmatic requirements, strategies,
and tools within the Canadian market to drive consistency, operational
efficiency, and best practices across regions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct reports and staff (if any), via established management, hr and
operational policies and procedures
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Accountable to performance and impacts of all Nexus Media solutions Billings
COMMUNICATION
Corporation/Department
External
- Business and Media representatives
- Professional Agencies representatives
Department/Position
Internal
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education Level
- University Degree or proven equivalent experience in related field
Computer Skills
- Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated track record of client relationship development and service
- Strong knowledge or proven experience account management/coordination,
buying, client/campaign strategy, and media planning
- Highly developed communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills
- Advanced ability to plan, implement and manage strategic and operational
initiatives
- Keen attention to details, robust critical thinking and proactive
problem-solving
- Foster a team culture that creates highly effective teams who delight clients
with great service and media results
- Deep understanding of the programmatic landscape
Professional Experience
- Minimum 5 years of related industry experience, and demonstrated strong
internal stakeholder relationship responsibility, preferably agency:
- Programmatic, eCommerce, Advanced TV, Adtech, Supply side inventory
- Experience overseeing and managing organizational performance with strategic
objectives and financial targets
Working Conditions
- Office environment with potential travel requirements within North America
COMPETENCIES
Core Competencies
Accepts Responsibility
Demonstrates commitment to grow, coach and mentor team members. Consistently
addresses and takes corrective action when targets are not met. Manages and
accepts responsibility for team performance and results.
Continuous Learning & Development
Identifies future competencies and required expertise in learning and
development. Stays up to date with emerging trends in the industry. Encourages
the team to network with professionals to maintain up to date knowledge.
Integrity
Promotes ethics and best behaviors always keeping a respectful demeanor.
Inspires and mentor others to demonstrate principle-driven courage. Ensures
decisions are made consciously, minimizing bias.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Is active in creating synergy across functions. Acts as a role model and
provides coaching and mentoring. Builds trust and teamwork.
Leadership Competencies
Impact & Influence
Identifies linkages, relationships and reporting structures of decision makers.
Initiates and builds key relationships to generate support for ideas. Uses
personal influence to motivate others to action.
Leverage Expertise
Encourages a data driven approach. Acts as a technical or subject matter
resource in non-routine situations. Introduces new technologies to increase the
functionality of teams.
Relationship Building
Establishes effective communication approaches to achieve trust and respect.
Coach teams to grow professional networks and develop relationship-building
skills. Strengthens work relationships by contributing to team meetings and
group activities.
Team Leadership
Ensures the team has the appropriate resources and autonomy to succeed. Looks
for new and better ways to generate team ideas. Quickly recognizes conflicting
priorities, initiating collaborative approaches to resolution.
Role Competencies
Listening, Understanding & Responding
Demonstrates a willingness to share and encourage innovative ideas. Develops and
delivers against well-defined communication plans. Inspires people to create an
environment that is conducive to productive communication.
Self Awareness & Feedback
Views challenges as opportunities for growth and development. Demonstrates
self-control and manages the emotions of teammates during adverse times.
Self-reflects, reviews setbacks, and draws learning points into new behaviors.
Taking Initiatives
Coaches team members to recognize and appropriately act on new situations.
Builds an environment that encourages contribution to implement new ideas.
Empowers others to increase their involvement, support, efforts, and
initiatives.
Organizational Planning
Accounts for long-term implications in dealing with current problems and issues.
Develops strategies, programs, processes, and initiatives that support
hyper-growth. Accurately combine people, process, and technology to achieve
strategic goals.
Life at WPP Media & Benefits
Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our
employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to
employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees
can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow
their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We
have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events
showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and
milestone events. Our benefits include 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 particular characteristics. We are
committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong
and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity,
collaboration, and connection. 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.
WPP Media is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others,
individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an
accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career
opportunity with WPP Media, please send an e-mail to WPP Media Leave
Administration at Leave.Administration@groupm.com
[Leave.Administration@groupm.com] or call (212) 297-8507 and let us know the
nature of your request and your contact information.
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.
