Associate Manager, Programmatic Activation (Maternity Cover)

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com .

Role Summary and Impact

We are looking for an Associate Manager, Programmatic Activation to join our team on a 4-month maternity cover basis. This is a hands-on role that sits at the intersection of programmatic execution and client servicing, supporting the delivery of best-in-class programmatic campaigns across WPP Media. You will be responsible for the day-to-day activation, optimisation, and reporting of programmatic campaigns, while building strong working relationships with WPP agencies and internal stakeholders. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to deepen their programmatic expertise in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, with exposure to a broad portfolio of clients and accounts.

Skills and Experience

Programmatic Activation & Campaign Management

• Support the end-to-end campaign lifecycle across assigned accounts, including setup, trafficking, pacing, optimisation, and reporting within platforms such as Display & Video 360, Campaign Manager, The Trade Desk, and AppNexus.
• Execute programmatic campaigns with accuracy and adherence to campaign briefs, client objectives, and industry best practices.
• Monitor campaign performance on a daily and weekly basis, identifying and implementing optimisation opportunities across audience, supply source, frequency, geo, creative, and temporal levers.
• Assist in the management of campaign budgets, ensuring correct pacing and delivery against targets.
• Support the execution of various programmatic deal types, including PMPs and programmatic guaranteed, flagging opportunities and issues as they arise.
• Maintain working knowledge of the programmatic ecosystem, including DSPs/SSPs, RTB, ad exchanges, DMPs, Brand Safety, Viewability, and Ad Fraud best practices.
• Contribute to the development of campaign performance reports, translating data into clear and actionable insights for internal and client-facing audiences.

Client & Agency Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong day-to-day working relationships with WPP agency and client teams, acting as a reliable and responsive point of contact.
• Support the translation of client briefs into programmatic media plans and activation strategies.
• Collaborate with market teams, ad operations, and creative agencies to ensure seamless campaign delivery across briefing, booking, setup, and reporting workflows.
• Contribute to the preparation and presentation of campaign performance reports, supporting senior team members in delivering strategic recommendations.
• Assist in maintaining accurate sales administration and campaign documentation, ensuring consistency and compliance with team processes.

Team Contribution

• Work closely with senior team members and Executives, contributing to a positive and high-performing team culture.
• Support junior Executives and Analysts where appropriate, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Participate in regular WIP meetings, providing updates on campaign performance and flagging any risks or challenges in a timely manner.
• Uphold team SLAs and deadlines, demonstrating strong organisation and prioritisation skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience in digital media, with hands-on experience in programmatic campaign activation and management.
• Practical knowledge of programmatic platforms, including DSPs (e.g., DV360, The Trade Desk) and ad servers (e.g., Campaign Manager).
• Solid understanding of programmatic buying fundamentals, including RTB, PMPs, audience targeting, Brand Safety, Viewability, and Ad Fraud.
• Ability to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously, with strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Comfortable working with data, with good analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience within a media agency, trading desk, or ad network is preferred.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including 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 characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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. Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.