Paid Search Account Director

About the role

Paid Search Account Director 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. 2402 - Paid Search Account Director - EMEA Role Summary and Impact At EssenceMediacom we want to eradicate inequity. We don't tolerate it and when we see it, we act. We attract, support and develop our talent without bias and strive to foster the empathy, creativity and diversity of thought needed to drive meaningful change for our people, our clients, our industry and our society. WPP and GroupM have already made strong commitments to combat racial injustice. While we are part of this group, we know we have an individual responsibility as an employer and an industry leader to fight against racism. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, that’s okay, and we encourage you to apply anyway to find out more about whether this is the right match for you. Did you know that marginalised groups, including women, people of colour and people with a disability, are more likely to discount themself for a role if they don't feel they meet every requirement or understand the reasonable adjustment that can be made? This is why we encourage connection and conversation to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and information needed to find the right role for them. If this role isn’t quite right, you may be the perfect fit for another – so go ahead, apply and find out! About Sony PlayStation Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Global Leader in entertainment and innovation. Since the launch of the original PlayStation in 1994, PlayStation has continued to redefine how people play, delivering world-class hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games to a global audience. As one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable brands, PlayStation sets the bar high. At the same time, teams operate in a collaborative and supportive environment, where curiosity, ownership and continuous improvement are encouraged. This is an opportunity to work on a globally loved brand, and contribute to impactful, differentiated and efficient Paid Search execution that keeps PlayStation at the forefront of the industry. Intro to the Role As a Paid Search Account Director, you will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination, delivery and continuous optimisation of PlayStation’s Paid Search activity across multiple EMEA markets. Working closely with the Senior Account Director, you will play a key role in defining strategic direction, and translating it into flawless execution, ensuring campaigns are delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with performance targets. Success in this role requires strong leadership, initiative, and the ability to work well within multi-market teams. Key Responsibilities Campaign Delivery - Lead the day-to-day delivery of Paid Search campaigns, across Google Ads/Search Ads 360, ensuring alignment with client KPIs - Work closely with activation teams (onshore and offshore), guiding Account Executives to ensure best-in-class and flawless execution (QAs, launch readiness, performance optimisation, budget pacing) - Ensure adherence to platform best practices and maintain strong account hygiene. - Develop a strong understanding of PlayStation’s business objectives, proactively identifying growth opportunities, trends, and new platform capabilities - Deliver clear, insightful reporting and present to clients Quarterly Business Reviews, including testing frameworks and strategic recommendations - Stay ahead of industry trends, platform evolution, and emerging technologies driving innovation across the account Client & Partner Management - Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor - Communicate confidently with senior stakeholders providing clear insights and actionable recommendations - Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and effective delivery - Monitor PlayStation’s competitive environment to shape strategic solutions People Management - Lead, mentor, and develop the competencies of the team, ensuring continuous upskilling - Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, initiative, excellence in execution and high performance standards - Oversee junior team members’ workloads, ensuring effective prioritisation and timely delivery against deadlines Operational Excellence - Ensure strong adherence to Paid Search best practices, internal processes and governance - Oversee financial management, including budget pacing, forecasting and reconciliations - Maintain high standards of accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail across all deliverables Skills and Experience - Experience within a similar role within an agency environment. - Strong experience managing performance-driven campaigns, with a focus on ROAS optimisation and revenue growth - Deep expertise in Google Ads and SA360, including campaign setup, optimisation and reporting - Strong understanding of Search strategic and tactical applications in full-funnel digital marketing - Proven experience across Performance Max and traditional Search campaign formats - Experience leading/developing teams, and establishing robust ways of working - Excellent project management, stakeholder management, and communication skills - Comfortable managing budgets, forecasts, and performance across multiple markets -...

Key responsibilities

• check_circleCollaborate with the team on day-to-day project tasks
• check_circleLearn tools and processes used by the organization
• check_circleDocument work and participate in team meetings
• check_circleSupport quality checks and continuous improvement

Requirements

• check_circleLead the day-to-day delivery of Paid Search campaigns, across Google Ads/Search Ads 360, ensuring alignment with client KPIs
• check_circleWork closely with activation teams (onshore and offshore), guiding Account Executives to ensure best-in-class and flawless execution (QAs, launch readiness, performance optimisation, budget pacing)
• check_circleEnsure adherence to platform best practices and maintain strong account hygiene.
• check_circleDevelop a strong understanding of PlayStation’s business objectives, proactively identifying growth opportunities, trends, and new platform capabilities
• check_circleDeliver clear, insightful reporting and present to clients Quarterly Business Reviews, including testing frameworks and strategic recommendations
• check_circleStay ahead of industry trends, platform evolution, and emerging technologies driving innovation across the account
• check_circleBuild and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor
• check_circleCommunicate confidently with senior stakeholders providing clear insights and actionable recommendations
• check_circleCollaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and effective delivery
• check_circleMonitor PlayStation’s competitive environment to shape strategic solutions
• check_circleLead, mentor, and develop the competencies of the team, ensuring continuous upskilling
• check_circleFoster a culture of accountability, ownership, initiative, excellence in execution and high performance standards

Skills & keywords

Benefits & perks

• check_circleMentorship
• check_circleCertificate of completion
• check_circleFlexible work arrangement where applicable