VP, Global Head of Social Activation - MFG (Google)

Google via Media Futures Group - A little about us: 

Google has consolidated its media agency partnership into WPP’s GroupM, building on the world class digital work that Essence has delivered for Google for over 15 years. Media Futures Group (MFG) is a bespoke team that delivers on our commitment to Google for a more strategic, creative and integrated media approach established to drive better business results. 

The MFG team is made up of best in class digital, offline, and integrated media experts who work together to enhance media’s contribution to Google’s business. MFG is powered by Essence, MediaCom, and other constituent parts of GroupM around the world. The MFG team operates in a seamlessly integrated way across strategy, planning, investment, creative, business sciences and analytics, data and technology. The profile of people who work in MFG are world class, committed to establishing a new high water mark in the media industry. 

The convergence of expertise and excellence makes MFG the most progressive and exciting team in advertising and media, globally. The characteristics of successful MFG team members are that they are highly collaborative, intellectually curious and constantly reach for excellence. 

MFG is committed to the growth of our people as a means to unleash the potential of Google’s business. We are invested in whole-person wellbeing, values and behaviors that reflect our mission and purpose, and providing the tools and systems needed to do the best work of your career. We are constantly challenging ourselves to find new ways to deliver on those commitments through our community groups, mental health allyship, and a work environment that is conducive to our teams feeling included and supported. This is a team empowered by limitless possibilities.

About the role 

The Media Activation team is responsible for providing thoughtful and exciting recommendations for Search, Social, Display, and Video, owning supplier relationships, and then executing those recommendations expertly. The Media Activation team leverages their mastery of each channel to make sure its recommendations are consistently excellent and innovative, and that in-channel performance and data integrity is maximized.

Reporting into the SVP Global Digital Activation (London based) The VP, Head of Social Activation acts as our client's (Google) senior partner and expert for Paid Social. In addition, as a leader within MFG, you will collaborate and share your expertise with the community of Practitioners within WPP GroupM. 

As Channel Lead, this role will collaborate with our Client to understand their marketing objectives and how Paid Social contributes to this. Work collaboratively with cross functional internal teams to develop and deliver on those goals. Build credibility with our stakeholders that enables MFG to be seen as a thought leader and challenger across the Social marketing landscape.

Some of the things we’d like you to do:

• Leadership for our Global Social practitioner team. Responsible for 3 regional leads and their teams (NA & LATAM / EMEA / APAC)
• Strong and effective communication across all levels; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships both internally and externally
• for Associate Directors and Directors
• Support Career development through building strong training and development programs for our global practitioners that continually develops our practitioners to be best in class. 
• Create a culture that enables growth and retains our team members
• Build and continuously review Social best practices and ensure consistency across regions 
• Manage and develop Social Partner relationships at an Agency and Regional level.
• Grow and develop our Social proposition through expert understanding of the industry landscape and innovation.
• Develop thought leadership pieces & case studies throughout the course of the year to galvanise the role within the wider industry as an expert 
• Motivational leader, leading by example while encouraging and coaching juniors on the team
• Lead through vision, values, and model leadership behaviours while championing and facilitating change in a positive manner.

About yourself / Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Demonstrated progression in a role managing a staff of 25+
• Proven experience at VP or Snr Director level in a Digital Media or Advertising role
• Approximately 10+  years experience in a digital media agency, minimum 8 years of Paid Social planning & buying experience, minimum 6 years of people management experience.
• Knowledge of:
• Expert knowledge of Meta, Twitter, Linkedin, Snapchat, Reddit, Pinterest, and TikTok planning & buying, and a curiosity around other new and up-and-coming social media platforms
• Expert understanding of 3rd party social platform / PMD marketplace, and the pros/cons of different buying methodologies
• Experience with reservation-based buying, including vendor management and negotiation and IO handling
• Detailed knowledge of challenges for mobile tracking in social - e.g. SDK or MMPs - and an understanding of how technological changes will impact our clients’ business (e.g. iOS14) 
• Experience with data integration projects and measurement solutions - e.g. API, DMP, brand lift methodologies, etc.
• Excellent knowledge of media planning fundamentals e.g. reach, frequency, channels, formats, etc.
• Expert Knowledge in Doubleclick Ad Serving and 3rd party verification partners like Moat and IAS
• A passion for everything digital, with an active interest and understanding of online advertising industry trends
• Strong understanding of optimization levers & testing approaches
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are particularly important in developing client relationships and maintaining efficient communication across the team

What you can expect from us: 

Essence’s mission is to make advertising more valuable to the world.  We do this by employing the world’s very best talent to solve some of the toughest challenges of today’s digital marketing landscape.  It’s important that we hire people whose values reflect those of our own: genuine, results-focused, daring and insightful.  As an Essence employee, we promise you a workplace that invests in your career, cares for you and is fun and engaging.  We believe these factors create a workplace where you can be yourself and do amazing work.