Search, Senior Associate Director

1108 - Search, Senior Associate Director-MFG - MM&D 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 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

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.

Essence Mediacom 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 Search Associate Director supports the strategic vision and drives the overall growth of the account, acting as the senior strategic advisor to our EMEA based clients. They’ll provide hands on experience & oversight through strategic reviews of all tactics, ensuring modern search methodologies and best practices are consistently applied. A core part of their role involves offering expert consultancy on test designs and innovation frameworks to shape the account's learning agenda.

Leveraging deep EMEA knowledge, the Director provides guidance on regional nuances, such as market-specific dynamics, seasonal shifts, and key cultural moments. Ultimately, they deliver actionable, top-level recommendations that empower the team to drive continuous performance improvement and ensure all programs exceed client expectations.

• Supports the strategic vision and drives the overall growth of campaigns, acting as the senior strategic advisor to key clients.
• Builds campaigns with modern search methodologies and ensures best practices are consistently applied.
• Offers expert consultancy and provides a point of view on test designs and innovation frameworks to shape the account's learning agenda.
• Leverages deep EMEA knowledge to guide the team on regional, seasonal, and cultural nuances (e.g., market-specific dynamics, holidays, language prioritisation).
• Delivers actionable, top-level recommendations that empower the Global team to drive continuous performance improvement and exceed client expectations.
• Ultimate accountability for adherence to controls and best practices across all relevant platforms and help to manage regional development of search best practice.
• Escalating any potential conflicts between best practice and what is best for their region.
• Be the primary contact point of contact between the Media Activation team and regular stakeholders both internal & external.
• Develop strong relationships with your client, and key suppliers, leading team communications with these stakeholders. Be able to communicate with clients on subjects outside your remit, and provide them with useful insight, working independently.
• Share and maintain in-depth knowledge of all search platforms and bid management platforms, operating as in‑agency expert in your field of specialism, whilst showing a good understanding of the overall media landscape.
• Gain a more strategic understanding of the client’s business and KPIs, and keep up to date with latest Industry news and be proactive in spotting trends, product releases, and…