Data Scientist - Marketing Science

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 .

3004 - Data Scientist - Marketing Science - UK

Role Summary and Impact

This mid-level Data Scientist role is a key role within the Marketing Science team. In this role, you will apply data-driven insights and advanced analytics to help optimise our clients' advertising campaigns and media strategies.

The Marketing Science team is responsible for accelerating our clients’ growth by integrating data and analytics into marketing decision making; applying scientific rigour to marketing theory to generate data driven insight, capabilities, and consultancy. Specifically the Data Science team are a team of data practitioners who are passionate about the applications of data science within the field of marketing to make advertising better for brands and consumers; driving effective outcomes in the most sustainable way possible. They bring data to life in scientific ways to provide insight, recommendations and innovations relating to client marketing strategies from planning, audience, optimisation and measurement

Your primary objective will be to leverage data analytics and machine learning techniques to drive measurable improvements in our clients' advertising campaigns. You will contribute to the development of data-driven solutions that optimize media spend, enhance audience targeting, and increase overall campaign effectiveness. Your work will directly impact our agencies ability to deliver superior results for our clients in the competitive digital advertising landscape.

This role would suit a mid-level Data Scientist with around 3+ years experience, or a Junior with a couple of years relevant professional experience and ready for a step up.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop and maintain media buying optimization algorithms through AI and ML to drive greater campaign outcomes against an array of KPIs

Create audience segmentation and addressability models to enhance targeting precision across multiple targeting keys

Generate actionable campaign insights from complex datasets to improve campaign planning through actionable insights

Implement yield management strategies to maximise supply utilisation across the addressable TV portfolio

Build and refine forecasting models for campaign performance for multiple channels

Design and analyse A/B tests to improve campaign effectiveness measurement

Assist in developing robust campaign measurement methodologies

Modelling and methods

Strong Python and SQL, comfortable working with large, imperfect datasets.

Supervised machine learning across classification and regression, with the judgement to choose the right approach for the problem rather than defaulting to one method, including where standard linear assumptions do not hold, and quantifying uncertainty where a forecast carries commercial weight such as pricing or guarantees.

Experience with experimental design, causal inference and quasi-experimental methods, including geographic experimentation (GeoLift) and test-and-control.

Audience and customer segmentation using unsupervised methods, defined so segments can be activated rather than just described.

Budget allocation and channel-mix work, including marketing mix modelling and the saturation and diminishing-returns dynamics behind it.

Tools and delivery

Building reusable, documented tools and self-service products rather than one-off analysis.

Dashboarding (Streamlit, Dash, Power BI or Tableau) and clear visual presentation of analytical work.

Git and reproducible development, with cloud platforms and model deployment an advantage.

Ways of working

Turning vague business questions into measurable problems, and judging honestly whether the data can support the analysis being asked for.

Explaining technical work without jargon and presenting results as commercial recommendations, with assumptions and uncertainty made clear.

Comfortable with clients and senior stakeholders, challenging unsuitable requests constructively, and working through ambiguity and shifting deadlines.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including 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 believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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. Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.

Please read our Privacy Notice ( https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy ) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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