Paid Search Account Director
Wavemaker UK, London

About Wavemaker

We believe there always is a better way to grow. We positively provoke growth for our clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. The Wavemaker way is globally consistent. Fuelled by the world’s most powerful consumer data, we understand where and how marketing can intervene decisively to help brands win more sales.
 

Our name is our mission and our method. To make waves, you need to be provocative, even fearless. We do our best work for brave brands and people who want to be challenged to go further and faster. We know it’s not easy, but if it’s in you, we will get it out of you.

Our 7,600 people across 90 markets provoke growth for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses. Our attitude of Positive Provocation is enabled by:

• Deep knowledge we have of our clients’ business
• Confidence to challenge what’s gone before
• The support to go further than we thought possible

About GroupM Nexus:

GroupM Nexus UK is a community of more than 1,000 specialists comprised of Search, Social, Programmatic, and Ad Tech Ops teams from across the GroupM agencies. GroupM Nexus is designed to help accelerate our clients’ businesses by leveraging the power and capabilities of GroupM and its agencies, through partnerships with the world’s leading digital platforms, advanced accreditations for digital practitioners or continued development and deployment of industry leading benchmarks.

About Paid Search at Wavemaker:

The Paid Search team works to plan & execute market-leading search advertising campaigns for our clients across a variety of search engines. We are currently a team of over 40 people working on a mixture of clients that include Audible, Danone, Morrisons, Avon and Nationwide. The team are based at Wavemakers’ office at Sea Containers, SE1 in London UK.

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About the role

As a Paid Search Account Director, you will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of your account(s) across paid search campaigns whilst operating as the main campaign point of contact for your clients.

The role involves managing several Account Executives and Account Managers including your team in the Global Hub, who are a core part of your line management. 

Making use of platform knowledge and account management practices, you’ll ensure effective management of projects to brief, schedule and budget. Ultimately, you’ll work to deliver world class paid search accounts which exceed client’s expectations.

1. People.
   1. Oversee, as appropriate, the performance of Account Executives and Account Managers in your team ensuring that you are quality controlling work.
   2. Train your team and others across the department. Make sure we continue to develop the departments knowledge & expertise.
   3. Play an active role in recruitment and interviewing processes to build strong teams. This will involve leading interviews, making staffing decisions and acting as an ambassador for the team to potential candidates.
   4. Take responsibility for your UK and Global Hub team’s development and career progression within the agency. Leading by example to motivate and encourage.
   5. Motivational people manager leading by example and coaching your team. Provide constructive feedback at every appropriate opportunity.

1. Product.
   1. You are accountable for your team’s adoption, execution and adherence to Wavemaker Governance and the Wavemaker Way for Paid Search across your clients.
   2. Use 3rd and 1st party tools and tech effectively across your client set.

1. Operations.
   1. Helping to drive process automation through adoption of scripts and efficient ways of working.
   2. Making full use of the technology available, implementing processes and practices that maximize operational efficiencies whilst identifying opportunities for process improvement, and providing recommendations.
   3. Takes ownership of operations in your team, proactively suggesting ways to resolve and eliminate issues from happening.
   4. Lead on application and adherence to all areas of paid search activation finance processes.
   5. Foster a good working relationship across all clients & suppliers to direct flawless execution of plans. Builds rapport and become a trusted advisor representing the agency.
   6. Make sure that service level agreements are aligned with all relevant stakeholders and that all deadlines are met, with tasks managed through our project management suite. 

1. Profile.
   1. Active member of the Paid Search community which includes contributing to internal team meetings, participation in wider GroupM training & events, and more.
   2. 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.
   3. Advise internal and external stakeholders around paid search and industry trends, displaying a deep knowledge and also how it impacts client’s businesses.
   4. Demonstrate expert knowledge of and monitors the client’s industry and competitive environment to create effective solutions.

1. Performance.
   1. Responsibility for the output of your team (UK-based and Global Hub), both client facing and operational.
   2. Strategic understanding of the client’s business and KPIs, keeping up to date with latest Industry news and proactively spotting trends, product releases, and other opportunities which could enhance activity.
   3. Maintain a forward thinking and innovative approach in the development of all paid search activity.
   4. Take responsibility & direct paid search performance and your wider team’s deliverables.

1. Growth.
   1. Contributes to the development of strategic revenue and service opportunities.
   2. Responsible for the execution of a ‘fearless growth’ mindset in your team; continually experimenting and driving performance forwards for clients.

Measures for success in this role will include: no account errors, your accounts never go offline, improved performance and results, completion of tasks & projects on time, client feedback, effective communication, team development, increased utilisation of the Global Hub, and overall progress of clients against the Wavemaker Way for Paid Search.

About You

We are looking for candidates who are self-starters, want to succeed and have a desire to push the boundaries. Passionate about digital marketing, specifically Paid Search and Cross-Platform campaign formats (e.g. Performance Max, Microsoft Audience Network etc.). Successful candidates will have an analytical mindset coupled with creativity.

It’s essential that you have:

• Experience line managing people, their development and workload. Ability to lead and manage hybrid teams in different markets.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to make the complex, simple. As an Account Director, you need to be an excellent storyteller; taking clients & other stakeholders through solutions to complex problems or opportunities.
• Expert Paid Search knowledge and experience, with up-to-date certifications (Google Ads and Microsoft Ads).
• Excellent knowledge of bid management and core PPC technology platforms (Google Analytics, GMP platform, SA360, Adobe for example).
• Excellent data analysis skills and understanding of the strategic & tactical application of paid search and digital marketing. 
• Expert Microsoft Office skills which include Excel & PowerPoint.
• Experience in Google Data Studio or similar reporting platforms.
• Operationally proficient with excellent project management skills. You have a demonstratable ability to manage multiple tasks at once, and help your team do the same.
• You are proactive; our mantra is all about ‘Positive Provocation’. We need people who have the confidence to question the status quo.
• You have immaculate attention to detail.

About Our GroupM Nexus Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance.
• WPP Pension Scheme.
• 25 Days Holiday (increasing to 30 in increments after third year of service by one day annually).
• Birthday day off.
• Free eye tests.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free office breakfast & fruit.
• Hybrid working.
• Gym membership/allowance.
• Milestone anniversary rewards.
• Independent financial advice.
• Mental Health Allies Programme.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Employee Resource Groups.
• Disability confident employer.
• Flexible Working Policy.
• Back in the Game Programme – to support returners back to work after a long period of absence.
• GroupM University – our learning and development platform.

And more!

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