Director, Paid Social

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Paid Social

🔹 Company: GroupM

🔹 Location: New York, New York, United States

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and managing paid social strategies for clients
• Building and integrating social efforts with business strategy
• Directing and coaching talented team members
• Providing stewardship advising on all paid social matters
• Overseeing the work of other GroupM disciplines and industry groups

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and deep expertise in paid social advertising.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Formulate paid social strategies for clients, ensuring recommendations and decisions are consistent, imaginative, and deliver results.

✅ Synthesize information and build GroupM's capacity and capability in joined-up marketing.

✅ Assume a lead role in building and integrating social efforts, ensuring tight alignment with the business strategy.

✅ Investigate all new opportunities from a broad perspective to determine opportunities to expand GroupM's advisory offering.

✅ Direct and coach talented team members, constructively and frequently evaluate team performance, and provide reassurance and feedback.

✅ Provide stewardship advising on all paid social matters.

✅ Oversee the work of other GroupM disciplines, industry groups, and media partners; assist with integration of other client and GroupM agencies.

✅ As the key client contact, synthesize information related to opportunities and risks to GroupM's senior management team.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team management, and client communication, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising; OR equivalent professional work experience.

Experience: 7+ years experience planning/buying across all platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to think strategically and drive solid results to grow the business
• Prior experience managing a team, demonstrating the ability to train and grow junior members and serve as a reliable mentor
• Ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, fostering strong cross-functional teamwork
• Exhibit passion through appropriate participation in team, agency, and industry initiatives

Preferred Skills:

• Fortune 100 client-facing strategic experience

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in paid social advertising, team management, and strategic planning will be most successful in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $230,000 (USD) per year

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Partner Discounts
• Mental Health Awareness Days

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. Actual compensation may vary based on individual factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising & Marketing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global)

Founded: 1924 (as WPP, GroupM's parent company)

Company Description:

• GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company
• Responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment
• Offers a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events
• Provides competitive benefits, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, and mental health awareness days

Company Specialties:

• Media Investment
• Advertising & Marketing
• Media Planning & Buying
• Strategic Communications

Company Website: www.groupm.com

ASSUMPTION: GroupM's size and global presence offer extensive opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Paid Social or equivalent

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4 days in office)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead and grow the paid social team
• Chance to work with high-profile clients and impact their business outcomes
• Opportunity to expand GroupM's advisory offering and shape the next era of media

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within GroupM's extensive network.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space

Office Location(s): 1 Southwark Bridge Rd, London, England SE1 9HL, GB (Global Headquarters)

Geographic Context:

• New York, New York, United States
• London, England
• Global presence in 96 markets

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)

ASSUMPTION: GroupM's global offices offer diverse work environments, with opportunities to collaborate with teams across the world.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screening
• Behavioral and technical interviews
• Final round with hiring manager

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Team management and leadership skills
• Client communication and presentation skills
• Industry knowledge and expertise in paid social advertising

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience and achievements in paid social advertising and team management
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on leadership, strategic planning, and client communication
• Research GroupM's clients and industry trends to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company

ATS Keywords: Paid Social, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Client Communication, Advertising, Marketing, Media Investment, GroupM

ASSUMPTION: GroupM's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership skills, and industry expertise.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Social media advertising platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
• Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and presentation tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in social media advertising platforms and data analysis tools is essential for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Sustainability
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Work Style:

• Data-driven and analytical
• Creative and innovative
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-focused and accountable

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach strategic planning and execution in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed and grew a team, and how did you approach their development?
• How do you balance multiple priorities and ensure the delivery of high-quality work on time?

ASSUMPTION: GroupM values candidates who align with their core values and can thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team remotely or in a hybrid work environment
• Keeping up with the rapidly evolving social media landscape
• Balancing client expectations and internal team dynamics
• Navigating a large, global organization with diverse teams and cultures

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated with strong leadership, communication, and adaptability skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other roles in advertising and marketing, this position requires a deep understanding of paid social advertising and a strong strategic mindset
• GroupM's global presence and extensive client roster offer unique opportunities for growth and impact
• Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions within GroupM's paid social team or other disciplines

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, team management, and client communication, with opportunities to grow within GroupM's extensive network.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive paid social strategy for a Fortune 100 client, driving measurable business outcomes
• Managing a team to deliver multiple client campaigns simultaneously, ensuring consistent quality and results
• Conducting market research and analysis to identify new opportunities in the paid social landscape and expand GroupM's advisory offering

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, team management, and analytical skills required for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the paid social team currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does GroupM support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does GroupM foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across its global offices?
• What are the most important qualities GroupM looks for in a Director of Paid Social?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you understand the role's priorities, the company's culture, and the expectations for this position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your work in paid social advertising and team management to showcase during the interview process
• Follow up with the hiring team one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.