Account Manager, Trading

About WPP Media 

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com. 

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com 

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. 
  

Role Summary and Impact 

The Commercial, Trading and Investment Hub is the engine behind WPP Media OOH's Out-of-Home (OOH) media buying, responsible for securing optimal OOH solutions for all our agencies and clients.

As an Account Manager, Trading, you will be a pivotal leader within the Hub, an experienced and strategic trader responsible for driving best-in-class OOH campaign delivery. You will work in close collaboration with all WPP Media OOH teams to negotiate, buy, and optimize campaigns, ensuring the achievement of contracted KPIs and audit guarantees. This role is crucial for delivering departmental objectives, growing billings, and identifying new business opportunities.  The role provides a pivotal opportunity to drive commercial success, foster enduring relationships and cultivate excellence across trading activities.

You will also play a vital role in developing the next generation of traders, overseeing, supporting, and mentoring junior team members within the team. Beyond your direct team, you will actively collaborate and share trading expertise across the wider business, contributing significantly to WPP Media OOH's collective success and culture.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead and execute strategic negotiations for pricing and campaign bookings, ensuring the best overall delivery for clients across price, distribution, quality, research, and added value.
• Guarantee the consistent achievement of all set and committed commercial objectives within your assigned team.
• Provide regular, transparent communication and reporting on KPI and commercial target delivery, including proactive scenario planning and timely escalation of challenges or issues.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to drive increased revenue in alignment with commercial objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain exceptional rapport and strategic relationships with key Media Vendors through regular engagement.
• Develop and implement effective OOH trading solutions across a diverse portfolio of clients, leveraging the full Vendor inventory.
• Coordinate with Planning Teams to provide accurate planning and buying rates, options, and execute campaign bookings.
• Evaluate new contractor opportunities, providing informed advice on their pros and cons.
• Effectively coordinate short-term opportunities and meticulously monitor spend commitments with key Media Vendors to ensure target attainment.
• Diligently monitor and report on the value delivered to agencies.
• Provide insightful opinions on vendor news and market activity, keeping the wider business informed.
• Ensure all value strategy discussions and committed trading deals receive Trading approval before vendor engagement.
• Oversee, support, and provide guidance to junior traders and planners, fostering their professional growth.
• Conduct basic coaching and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Positively motivate the wider teams, leading by example and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Actively participate in all trading meetings (in-person or virtually).
• Serve as a mentor and trusted sounding board for more junior staff.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of clients’ industries and competitive landscapes.
• Actively contribute to the wider WPP Media OOH’s business through participation in training initiatives, forums, agency initiatives, business development, tool/system development, creative ideas, and internal/external events.

Skills and Experience 

Relationships & Influence

• Exceptional networking abilities, adept at building productive and lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Expertly manages expectations, proactively anticipating and addressing potential issues or concerns.
• Consistently builds and maintains meaningful, long-term relationships.
• Consciously acts as a positive role model within WPP Media OOH, embodying our values.

Strategic Thinking & Execution

• Strong implementation and delivery skills; a hands-on, tactical approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities, with a proven ability to generate innovative solutions.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proactive mindset, consistently considering the wider business implications.
• Strong sense of ownership and takes immense pride in work quality.

Commercial Acumen

• Excellent and adaptable negotiation skills, with a track record of securing advantageous terms.
• Proven ability to identify new revenue opportunities and contribute to business growth.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Understanding and participation in the Audit process

Communication & Presentation

• Demonstrates impact and confidence in all interactions.
• Confident, engaging, and persuasive communication style.
• Consistently positive and open to possibilities.
• Articulates and expresses ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence to accurately read situations and people.

Conflict Management & Resilience

• Strong problem-solving skills with a solution-focused approach.
• Sound judgment and effective decision-making abilities.
• Skilled in seeking resolutions through influence and negotiation.
• Resilient under pressure, consistently performing well under tight deadlines.
• Actively pushes personal boundaries for continuous growth.
• Experienced in navigating and resolving difficult discussions.
• Maintains composure and assertiveness during conflict, stating positions calmly and clearly.

People Leadership & Development

• Proven people management skills, adept at motivating and guiding others.
• Sets clear direction and acts as a strong role model.
• Provides effective guidance and assistance to team members.
• Effectively delegates workload, empowering team members.
• Acts as a mentor to more junior team members, fostering their development.
• Motivating team player, comfortable taking the lead when required.
• Displays empathy and strong emotional intelligence.

Organization & Adaptability

• High versatility, flexibility, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent multi-tasking skills, managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Highly organized and structured approach to work.
• Strong logistical planning skills.
• Comfortable navigating and thriving in ambiguous situations.

Digital & Technical Proficiency

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Adept at utilizing internal technical tools and quickly adopting new technologies and systems.

Industry & Internal Knowledge

• Strong, in-depth understanding of the OOH landscape, including Media Owners, media buying, and trading practices.

Qualifications

Required:

• Educated to A-Level or equivalent standard.
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in OOH media trading, with a proven track record in negotiation and client delivery.

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 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. 

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