Director, OOH Direct Activation

About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.  WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working. For more information, visit wppmedia.com . 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 leadin