Manager, Marketplace and Partnerships

The Manager Investment (Digital Media Buying) will play a pivotal role in leading and optimizing digital media investments across key clients within the WPP Media network. The position demands strong expertise in digital buying, partner negotiations, media efficiency management, and cross-platform optimization to deliver best-in-class value and performance for clients. This role requires close collaboration with planning, client leadership, and analytics teams to drive investment excellence and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Responsibilities

Lead digital media buying and investment strategy across platforms such as Google, Meta, Programmatic (DV360, The Trade Desk), OTT, YouTube, and E-commerce media; Drive commercial negotiations with publishers, platforms, and ad-tech partners to ensure cost competitiveness and value optimization; Collaborate with digital planning, client leadership, and performance teams to execute integrated and efficient media strategies; Deliver on investment KPIs, audit readiness, and rate adherence in alignment with WPP Media's trading and compliance standards; Oversee budget management, delivery tracking, and post-buy analysis for key campaigns; Partner with WPP Media trading and digital excellence teams to identify innovations, first-mover opportunities, and beta partnerships; Lead a team of digital buyers and executives, ensuring strong capability building and operational discipline; Provide market intelligence, platform insights, and cost benchmarks to support new business pitches and client strategy discussions; Ensure adherence to WPP Media governance frameworks and compliance across all digital investment operations

Requirements

Strong expertise in digital buying, partner negotiations, media efficiency management, and cross-platform optimization; Strong understanding of digital media platforms, programmatic ecosystems, and biddable buying; Proven ability to negotiate, optimize, and deliver cost efficiencies while maintaining quality and performance; Hands-on experience with DV360, CM360, Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and analytics tools; Strong analytical and quantitative skills, comfort with data interpretation and reporting; Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to work cross-functionally; Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed organization and manage multiple client priorities; 3-4 years of experience in digital media buying, investment, or trading within a leading media agency or digital network; Graduate/Postgraduate degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or Media Studies

Nice to have

Prior experience within the WPP ecosystem (WPP Media, Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, or Nexus) will be an advantage.

Benefits

competitive medical; group retirement plans; vision; dental insurance; significant paid time off; preferential partner discounts; employee mental health awareness days; access to global WPP Media & WPP networks; employee resource groups; in-office events