Associate Director, Client Services

Role Overview

We are looking for a sharp, digitally native Director to lead a high-priority, dedicated client mandate at Mindshare. The account sits in the BFSI category, specifically within the stock broking and investment space, one of India's most competitive and fast-evolving digital advertising categories. The ideal candidate brings deep BFSI category knowledge, strong hands-on digital branding expertise, and the ability to drive full-funnel media thinking while managing senior client relationships with confidence and precision.

Role at a Glance

Reporting To

Client Lead, Mindshare

Category Focus

BFSI (Stock Broking / Investment / Fintech)

Location

Mumbai

Experience Required

6-10 years (Media Agency preferred)

Role Type

Full-Time | Dedicated Single-Client Mandate

What Success Looks Like

In 3 Months

• Thorough understanding of the client's business: KPIs, user acquisition goals, category dynamics, and competitive context
• Proficient in account processes, internal tools, and Mindshare x Xaxis workflows
• Delivering high-quality, responsive output on day-to-day client requests with minimal escalation

In 6 Months

• Deep knowledge of the BFSI digital media landscape, including competitive spend patterns across key category players
• Established relationships with key digital media owners and platforms relevant to financial services
• Embedded into specialist teams (Xaxis, Strategy, Business Science) with a clear collaborative rhythm
• Recognized by the client as the senior daily contact, making proactive contributions to planning sessions

In 12 Months

• Consulting with the client on business outcomes, not just media delivery
• Leading all planning responses end-to-end: from insight to strategy to execution
• Driving incremental revenue opportunities and supporting scope and fee conversations
• Providing structured feedback and development guidance to junior team members

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Own and manage the account as the primary Mindshare point of contact for the client
• Lead digital media strategy and planning across branding and performance mandates
• Build and review media plans across OLV, CTV, Programmatic, Social, SEM, and Hyperlocal channels
• Benchmark costs across partners and ensure plans are competitively priced and well-justified
• Manage the Xaxis relationship for programmatic planning and execution, maintaining SLAs and quality standards
• Track competitive media activity in the category and bring intelligence into client conversations
• Attend and lead client meetings, internal reviews, and partner discussions
• Translate client briefs into structured, insight-led media solutions
• Coordinate with specialist teams (Strategy, Business Science, Content) for integrated deliverables
• Support award entries, case study development, and thought leadership as needed

Must-Have Requirements

Experience

• 6-10 years of media agency experience, with a significant portion in digital media
• Mandatory: demonstrated experience working on BFSI brands (banking, insurance, broking, fintech, or investment platforms)
• Hands-on experience with digital branding campaigns across large-scale, multi-city mandates
• Prior experience managing clients independently at a senior or leadership level

Digital Expertise

• Proven full-funnel media experience: from awareness and consideration (OLV, CTV, Display, Programmatic) through to performance and conversion (SEM, Retargeting, App Install, Lead Generation)
• Ability to design and execute campaigns that address different funnel stages simultaneously, with distinct KPIs, messaging, and channel logic at each level
• Deep knowledge of digital partners across OLV, CTV, Programmatic Display, Social (Meta, YouTube), SEM, and Hyperlocal
• Strong command of cost benchmarks across digital formats and the ability to validate and negotiate partner rates
• Experience building and reviewing integrated digital media plans with clear rationale for channel mix, budget allocation, and targeting
• Hands-on involvement in campaign implementation, trafficking coordination, and delivery tracking, not just planning
• Familiarity with the programmatic ecosystem: DSPs, SSPs, DMPs, brand safety tools, and measurement frameworks
• Understanding of Brand Lift, Search Lift, and attribution methodologies relevant to BFSI advertisers

Skills

• Strong analytical thinking: ability to read data, identify trends, and translate into strategic action
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present clearly to senior clients
• High attention to detail in plan documents, trackers, client notes, and presentation decks
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously without compromising quality
• Strong team player with the ability to manage upward, laterally, and with vendor partners

Good to Have

• Specific experience on stock broking, mutual fund, or investment platform accounts
• Exposure to CTV/OTT media buying (JioHotstar, SonyLIV, etc.)
• Familiarity with platforms such as DV360, The Trade Desk, Meta Ads Manager, and Google Ads
• Awareness of SEBI advertising guidelines and BFSI-specific disclaimer norms
• Experience in sports marketing, including high-profile sponsorship properties such as IPL: managing linear TV + CTV buys, sponsorship integrations, and delivering reach at scale during live sporting events
• Experience contributing to award entries or case study development

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.