Director, OOH Direct Activation

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are looking for an experienced Director, Direct Activation (OOH/Print), to lead the Toronto OOH/Print Activation team. This role requires significant hands-on experience in OOH and Print activation, combined with proven people leadership, client stewardship, and commercial acumen. The Director will work with the VP to set the team’s direction, develop its capabilities, and be accountable for the quality and effectiveness of activation across the assigned client portfolio. As a senior point of contact for clients and media partners, the Director will translate client business objectives into effective OOH/Print activation strategies and oversee delivery from tactical recommendations and negotiation through execution, reporting, and financial reconciliation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Partner with the Activation VP to set priorities for the OOH/Print Activation team and translate them into clear team objectives and delivery plans.
• Lead and develop the OOH/Print Activation team, including Managers, Account Executives and Coordinators; set clear expectations, allocate workloads, provide coaching, and build technical and leadership capabilities.
• Own senior-level client relationships for the assigned portfolio, acting as a trusted advisor on OOH/Print activation and providing leadership on complex client needs and escalations.
• Be accountable for end-to-end OOH/Print activation, including tactical recommendations, negotiation, execution, optimization, reporting, and reconciliation; establish quality standards and ensure delivery against client objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Champion innovation across OOH and Print activation, identifying relevant opportunities across traditional, digital, and programmatic OOH and print formats to strengthen client recommendations.
• Lead the development and presentation of major OOH/Print client deliverables, including annual plans and recommendations ensuring clear rationale and actionable insights.
• Contribute and monitor vendor and commercial forecasting, commercial partnership deals, and guide the team’s negotiations to deliver client value.
• Review end-of-month revenue variances, identify underlying drivers, and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Co-lead OOH/Print activation contributions to new business pitches and support global requests from the network.
• Ensure financial accountability for assigned client accounts including budget oversight, reconciliation, and profitability.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key OOH/Print media partners and internal agency teams, ensuring aligned recommendations, clear responsibilities, and effective campaign delivery.

• Represent the agency at industry functions and client-facing events.

• Stay current on OOH/Print industry developments and share knowledge, best practices, and learning opportunities with the team.

REQUIREMENTS:

• College or University degree in a related field (Business Administration, Marketing, or Communications).

• 6-8+ years of substantial hands-on expertise in both OOH and Print and a demonstrated track record of leading complex client portfolios.
• Proven experience leading and developing a media activation team, including coaching, delegation, workload management, and establishing clear standards for delivery.
• Deep knowledge of the OOH and Print media landscape, including traditional, digital, and programmatic OOH, print formats, media partner capabilities, buying practices, and campaign delivery requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to set team direction, make sound decisions, and proactively resolve complex activation and client challenges.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong financial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets, forecasting, reconciliation, and account profitability.
• Strong senior-level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate OOH/Print recommendations and secure effective media agreements.
• Superior organizational skills, with the ability to lead a team, prioritize resources, and oversee multiple complex OOH/Print campaigns in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to build strong senior-level client and internal relationships that foster collaboration, strategic growth, and conflict resolution.

• Advanced strategic and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable OOH/Print activation solutions and use campaign results to inform future recommendations.

• Travel may be required as dictated by the needs of clients and the business.
• Advanced PC skills, including all Microsoft Office products & AI technology.

LIFE AT WPP MEDIA AND 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.