Head of Paid Media; Digital

Head of Paid Media

Location: Bristol (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time | Permanent

We are seeking a commercially driven, hands‑on Head of Digital to lead performance delivery across our UK client portfolio. This is not a pure strategy or people‑only leadership role. We are looking for a strategic operator — someone equally comfortable fixing a campaign in‑platform as they are leading a Q  with senior stakeholders.

You will own paid media performance across 20+ accounts, act as the subject matter expert in paid media, and work closely with Account Directors, Media Planning, and Leadership to ensure campaigns consistently hit and outperform targets.

• Own paid media performance across Paid Search, Paid Social and Programmatic.
• Ensure conversion forecasts are met and exceeded.
• Maintain oversight across 20+ accounts with granular attention to detail.
• Diagnose and fix underperforming campaigns quickly and confidently.
• Lead campaign pacing, forecasting and budget optimisation to ensure 100% efficiency.
• Implement and oversee GA4, GTM, tagging and tracking accuracy.

• Act as senior paid media lead in QBRs, pitches and strategic planning sessions.
• Confidently articulate agency performance strategy and commercial impact.
• Support Account Directors in aligning paid media strategy with broader growth plans.
• Handle high‑pressure meetings with minimal preparation — knowing campaigns inside out.
• Identify upsell and optimisation opportunities that drive measurable revenue growth.

• Refine and streamline paid media processes and QA frameworks.
• Drive automation, efficiency and waste reduction across accounts.
  
  Implement secondary QA improvements and speed up delivery workflows.
• Create scalable solutions that improve gains and reduce wastage.
• Ensure Linked In and other key channels operate within clear performance guardrails.

• Hands‑on, grounded and credible — willing to work “in the trenches.”
• Leads by example; earns buy‑in through capability and humility.
• Comfortable managing upwards and working autonomously.
• Proactive — anticipates challenges before they arise.
• Commercially aware and aligned to business financial incentives.

• Extensive hands‑on experience across:
  • Google Ads (Search, Display, PMax)
  • Meta
  • Linked In
  • Programmatic
  • Tik Tok
  • Snapchat
• Deep understanding of GA4 and GTM implementation.
• Strong numeracy and data storytelling ability.
• Proven ability to manage multi‑account portfolios at scale.
• Experience forecasting, pacing and delivering against conversion targets.
• Confidence in client‑facing environments at senior level.
• Experience leading digital paid media and performance teams.

• Agency background with exposure to complex, multi‑channel accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency and process automation.
• Strong commercial acumen and revenue‑driven mindset.

This role is for someone who:

• Can blend technical depth (like a Performance Director) with the client gravitas and presence of a senior Account Director
• And the operational resilience to manage high‑volume, high‑detail environments.

You should be:

• Highly data‑literate.
• Calm under pressure.
• Commercially sharp.
• Likeable, ego‑free, and collaborative.
• Confident selling paid media services to sophisticated clients.

• Campaigns consistently hit and exceed forecasts.
• Performance inefficiencies are reduced.
• QA processes become faster and more automated.
• Clients trust and lean on you as the paid media authority.
• Leadership no longer needs to firefight campaign issues.

• Work with an ambitious, collaborative, and growing paid and strategic partnerships team.
• Lead delivery for impactful, international web and technical projects across the education sector.
• £25 monthly wellbeing allowance (e.g. gym membership).
• Matched pension.
• Paid training for career accreditations.
• Internal mobility options and established career paths.
• Incentive schemes and company pension contributions.
• Hybrid working (minimum 3 days in Bristol office).

We don’t just run ads, we create change. Join us…