Associate Director, Paid Media

Hybrid; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing allowance

Learning hours allowance

Annual training and development

Maternity/Paternity leave

Group life assurance

EAP & Calm app

Office breakfasts

Bike storage & showers

Job summary

Hybrid is seeking an Associate Director of Paid Media in Bristol. You will lead a growing team of paid media specialists and drive performance across search, social, display and video for major higher education clients.

Reporting to the Global Executive Digital Director, you’ll set strategic direction, oversee campaign delivery and optimisation, and champion data‑driven decision making with GA4 and GTM. You’ll also help shape client strategies and contribute to Hybrid’s growth and industry

Qualifications

• Significant paid media campaign experience.
• Experience across search, social, display, and video.
• Strong leadership and agency experience.
• Experience setting up GA4/GTM event tracking.
• Ability to understand client accounts and extract insights.
• Data analytics skills and ability to identify trends.
• Willingness to travel to other offices/client meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead media campaign operations and performance with the team.
• Oversee delivery and optimisation for clients.
• Identify opportunities to adopt new paid channels.
• Attend client meetings as technical strategic lead and assist with RFPs.
• Improve processes and grow the digital team's skills, incl. GA4 and GTM attribution.
• Track latest digital trends and adapt client strategies.
• Support senior leadership in delivering Hybrid’s strategy and growth.

Skills

Paid media campaigns

Leadership

Data analysis

GA4

GTM

Client management

Tools

GA4

GTM

Google Ads

Meta Ads

Job description

Job title: Associate Director, Paid Media

Location: Bristol, BS1 4HX | hybrid working

As Associate Director of Paid Media at Hybrid, you'll be be responsible for leading a growing team of paid media specialists and driving performance across a range of digital channels for our major higher education clients. Reporting to our Global Executive Digital Director, you’ll be working closely with the Account Management team and a range of stakeholders across the business to ensure high-quality, consistent campaigns that meet client KPIs, campaign targets, and deliver ROAS.

About Hybrid:

Hybrid is an award‑winning global marketing agency specialising in higher education. With six offices worldwide and more than 16 years of experience, we’ve launched successful campaigns with universities and education brands across the globe.

Today, we’re a leading name in the sector, with a strong share of the university market and over 40% year‑on‑year growth. As part of EAB; a worldwide leader in education services, we’re continuing to build on that success, expanding our digital solutions and capabilities to offer even more to the education sector.

What you’ll do:

• Provide direction of media campaign operations and manage campaign performance alongside the team
• Oversee campaign delivery and digital campaign optimisations to ensure effective and competitive performance for our clients
• Identify opportunities to adopt new and emerging paid channels and placements
• Attend client meetings as the technical strategic lead, and participate in new business pitches for RFPs
• Set up new process improvements, implement ways‑of‑working, and grow the skills of the digital team. Particularly with GA4, GTM, and full cycle attribution and reporting with mainstream CRMs
• Understand the latest trends shaping digital marketing and advertising, adjusting client strategies in response
• Supporting the senior leadership team in delivering our strategy and growing Hybrid’s brand

What we’re looking for:

• Significant experience working on paid media campaigns; you’ll be well versed in search, social, display and video
• A digital leader mindset, combining technical expertise with great people skills to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders
• Proven experience leading a team and understanding the dynamics of an agency environment, including line management responsibilities
• Experience setting up event conversion tracking through GA4 and GTM for data‑driven campaign management and outcomes‑focused reporting
• Ability to build a strong understanding of clients’ accounts and products to identify trends or issues that can then be raised with the wider team
• Ability to analyse data and identify trends in customer behaviour
• Willingness to travel to other offices and/or to client meetings as required

What’s in it for you:

• Central Bristol location - just off King Street and a 10‑minute walk from Temple Meads
• £25 monthly wellbeing allowance - spend it on your physical or mental wellbeing
• Investing in your development - grow your career with a dedicated annual allowance of learning hours, regular training sessions and support from our in‑house Director of Learning and Performance
• Supporting life beyond work -enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Group life assurance and income protection - automatic enrolment for reassurance and peace of mind
• Health and wellbeing - access free support and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a subscription to the Calm app
• Festive time off - enjoy a company‑wide break between Christmas and New Year
• Company events and socials - take time out as a team with regular away days plus Summer and Christmas parties
• Office perks - free weekly breakfast deliveries and fresh fruit
• Commuter‑friendly facilities - secure bike storage and showers on‑site

What makes Hybrid different:

We don’t just run campaigns; we create work that makes a difference.

It’s our people that make it possible. At Hybrid, you’ll work alongside smart, supportive colleagues who value different perspectives, encourage new ideas and give you the space to do your best work. You’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects for leading education brands, while continuing to develop your skills and experience.

Hybrid Media is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives, stronger creativity, and better outcomes for our people and our clients.