Director Activation Lead, GOC

Role Summary and Impact

As part of the Global Operations Centre (GOC), you will partner with client and regional teams across the United States, Europe, and Asia to elevate the operational quality of media execution and strengthen WPP Media’s position as a trusted strategic marketing and activation partner. We are looking for a Director, Activation Lead who will:

• Partner with senior client and agency leads to translate overarching communications strategies into flawless, multi-channel media activation and execution plans.
• Own the activation foundation of client plans, from channel architecture, taxonomy, and technology setup through briefing, campaign launch, real-time optimization, QA governance, and post-campaign performance assessment.
• Translate strategic target definitions, consumer journeys, and media plans into actionable operational guidelines, bidding strategies, and high-performing channel execution.
• Define and raise the standard of operational excellence by applying global best practices, ad tech innovations, automation tools, and rigorous quality control frameworks across accounts.
• Build credible relationships with key client, agency, ad tech, and platform stakeholders, representing Activation in integrated agency initiatives and collaborative working sessions.
• Ensure strategic intent remains integrated throughout delivery; identify execution risks, mobilize technical teams, and course-correct live campaigns to protect media efficiency and business impact.
• Lead, inspire, coach, and develop Activation talent, establishing clear expectations, driving technical mastery, and supporting team members in building the skills required for long-term growth.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Channel Activation Strategy: Lead and oversee end-to-end media activation strategies across Digital, Programmatic, Paid Search, Paid Social, and emerging channels, ensuring operational alignment with strategic client goals and regional standards.
• Operational Excellence & Governance: Define, implement, and maintain standardized activation workflows, QA frameworks, and best practices across GOC operations to guarantee flawless campaign setup, pacing, and execution quality.
• Campaign Management & Optimization: Oversee multi-channel campaign lifecycle execution, driving real-time performance optimization, bid management, and troubleshooting to meet and exceed client KPIs.
• Budget Oversight & Financial Governance: Manage and monitor large-scale media budgets across markets, ensuring accurate spend pacing, cost-efficiency, and optimal return on ad spend (ROAS).
• Data, Tech & Analytics Integration: Collaborate with technology and analytics teams to integrate ad tech stacks (DSPs, ad servers, brand safety tools) and reporting frameworks into daily activation processes.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the senior GOC activation point of contact for regional client leads and agency partners across North America, Europe, and Asia, presenting execution roadmaps, performance results, and operational insights.
• End-to-End Service Alignment: Partner closely with Strategic Planning and Investment teams to ensure strategic recommendations are seamlessly translated into actionable, scalable activation plans from brief to final reporting.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of activation managers and specialists, fostering technical mastery, operational agility, and a culture of continuous learning.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, business administration, communications, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7 – 9+ years of experience in digital media campaign planning and activation strategy, with a strong focus on Social Media, SEM, and Programmatic platforms, including at least 3+ years in a senior leadership or team management role.
• Advanced English proficiency with excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills to effectively influence senior stakeholders across global regions.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale multi-market budgets, complex campaign execution, and end-to-end operational workflows.
• Deep technical knowledge of key media activation platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, DV360, The Trade Desk, Amazon Ads, LinkedIn Ads, etc.) and verification/tracking tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize campaign analytics into clear recommendations for continuous optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and mentor high-performing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Agility and judgment to monitor campaign delivery, identify strategic/execution risks, and mobilize resources to course-correct when needed.
• Industry certifications (e.g., Google Marketing Platform, Meta Certified Media Activation Specialist, The Trade Desk, DV360) are a major plus.