Wavemaker: Performance Director- Dubai

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Wavemaker, a leading WPP Media brand in Dubai, seeks a Performance Director to build and lead an integrated media unit, shaping offline and online strategies, data driven decision making, and growth for clients. You will manage the team, oversee client communications with partners, set annual performance goals and budgets, and ensure campaigns hit KPIs across search, social and display while leveraging data platforms and analytics. The role requires hands on expertise across media channels, audience led planning, and a focus on upskilling the team into integrated specialists, with close collaboration across analytics, ad ops and insights. To apply, highlight more than ten years in integrated media, measurable outcomes, leadership impact, channel fluency, and a readiness to work in Dubai, while aligning with WPP values of extraordinary leadership, openness, and optimistic growth.

About Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand

We believe there always is a better way to grow. We positively provoke growth for our clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content and technology. The Wavemaker way is globally consistent. Fuelled by the world’s most powerful consumer data, we understand where and how marketing can intervene decisively to help brands win more sales. Our 7,000 people across 88 markets have the deep knowledge, confidence and courage to provoke growth for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.    

Role Summary and Impact

The Media (Performance) Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing media strategies and campaigns that effectively reach target audiences and achieve marketing objectives. This role involves analyzing market data, selecting appropriate media channels, negotiating with media vendors, and monitoring campaign performance to ensure optimal results.

• Lead a full integrated business unit, managing the team and the client on the unit
• Leadership of client communication with the support of client partners across the accounts.
• Set an annual performance strategy and goals that drive client’s business performance.
• Lead both Offline & Online strategy, disciplines and thought leadership across performance, eCommerce, innovation and data
• Oversee analytical offline thinking and approach
• Oversee digital implementation across search and social, whilst having a view on their display and programmatic offering
• Bridge media and technology solutions to provide full servicing and advisory to clients
• Lead data consultancy and implementation across all clients
• Development of direct report to become self-sufficient in delivery of campaign implementation and optimizations.
• Lead on the budget forecasting and delivery across all media, with focus on meeting client KPIs and performance targets
• Collaborative lead on the monitoring and review of resourcing required within all areas of media activation – including resource hiring when applicable
• Collaboratively pull together wider business teams across analytics, adops and insights to deliver on day-to-day campaign delivery
• Collaborative lead (with partner) on client reviews of all activation – BAU, campaign specific and channel planning
• Collaborative secondary lead (with other Directors) on the management of day-to-day relationships.
• Learn and then lead the usage of planning frameworks as part of our rigorous campaign planning process
• Lead and collaborative remit on non-client specific activation management workstreams and projects – as assigned by senior leadership
• Develop a full training program to upskill all offline & Digital media specialists into integrated experts.
• Able to pass learnings to the team, put in place development plans to the team members with KPI & evaluations
• Aiding in organic and growth of the accounts within the unit
• Bring hands-on, practitioner-level expertise across search, social and display,  owning both the technical execution and the strategic direction of these channels to guide the team and advise clients with authority.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

• 10 years + experience in integrated media, ideally from an agency side background (client side or a mix will also be considered)
• Good understanding of Offline, Digital & e-Commerce
• Strong understanding of customer data platforms and advance analytics solutions
• Experience managing search, social and/or display from both a technical and strategic POV.
• Experience in audience led planning
• People management experience of managing a team
• Adaptable, versatile, and the ability to keep up to date with consumer and marketing trends and advancements in technology.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include 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 particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. 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 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.