WPP Media Careers

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

• WPP Media Employees

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.