Director, Media Activation, GCS

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.
2283 - Director, Media Activation, GCS
Role Summary and Impact
Join a high-performing, experienced team leading digital strategy for some of the world’s most iconic beauty brands. As Director, Implementation Planning for The Estée Lauder Companies, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating digital and data transformation across a prestigious portfolio including Estée Lauder, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Tom Ford, Jo Malone London and more.
This role requires a digitally fluent leader with deep cross-channel performance expertise across Search, Social and Programmatic, and a strong understanding of Direct-to-Consumer growth in the beauty sector. You will connect brand-building ambition with in-market activation, using data, technology and audience insight to deliver measurable business outcomes. Working across brands with distinct identities and objectives, you will shape the evolution of ELC’s digital marketing output and help build an operating model that consistently delivers best-in-class work.
Key responsibilities include:
Strategic and commercial leadership: Lead the evolution of the Implementation Planning offer for the ELC portfolio, identifying growth opportunities, shaping digital transformation priorities and owning the commercial plan across multiple brands.
Cross-channel performance planning: Develop integrated digital roadmaps across Search, Social and Programmatic, ensuring D2C performance plans work seamlessly alongside brand-building activity and reflect the commercial ambition of each brand.
Data, technology and forecasting: Assess ELC’s digital maturity, create clear growth roadmaps and use advanced tools, forecasting models and dashboards to connect platform performance, GA4 metrics and business outcomes.
Test-and-learn culture: Design and embed a rigorous testing agenda for the beauty category, ensuring learnings are captured, shared and applied across brands, launches and future planning cycles.
Audience-centric portfolio planning: Define and engage high-value beauty audiences using first-, second- and third-party data strategies, adapting approaches across luxury, prestige and volume-driving brand priorities.
Collaboration and innovation: Partner upstream with Strategy and Comms Planning teams, and downstream with Activation, AdTech and Data specialists, to turn strategic ambition into credible, executable and innovative digital plans.
Skills and Experience
Significant digital planning leadership experience across Search, Social and Programmatic, ideally within complex multi-brand, retail, FMCG or beauty environments.
Strong D2C and strategic capability, with the ability to translate brand and commercial objectives into detailed, actionable digital plans.
Advanced analytical and technical understanding, including experience using GA4, platform data, forecasting tools, ad technology and measurement frameworks to inform decisions.
Excellent client and stakeholder leadership, with the confidence to present complex media strategies, build trusted relationships and influence senior audiences.
A curious, commercial and progressive mindset, with a passion for the beauty category, innovation, AI-enabled capability and continuous improvement.
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.
Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location
Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.
While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
#LI-Promoted
Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.