Head Of Digital

YMCA Brighton; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

25 days annual leave

Office closure during holidays

Simplyhealth healthcare

Rewards platform

Pension salary sacrifice

EV salary sacrifice

Cycle to Work

Creative UK membership

City‑centre office

Regular socials

Job summary

Bigwave.Community is seeking a Head of Digital Performance to unite Paid Media and SEO under a single Performance function. You will lead and develop the team, align strategies, and drive commercial outcomes across clients and the business.

You'll work with senior stakeholders to shape direction, raise standards and deliver exceptional results while nurturing future leaders and specialists in a fast-paced agency environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on Paid Search, Paid Social and ecommerce campaigns at senior agency level.
• Led a Paid Media or Digital Performance function within an agency.
• Ability to challenge thinking and integrate SEO within Performance.
• Proven track record developing leaders and technical experts.

Responsibilities

• Lead Paid Media and SEO teams under a unified Performance function.
• Shape the future direction, raise standards and drive performance.
• Influence senior stakeholders and manage complex programs.

Skills

Paid Media Expertise

Agency Leadership

Strategic SEO

Leadership & People Development

Leadership Presence

Commercial Acumen

Values-Led Mindset

Job description

We're investing in the future of our Digital Performance function and are looking for a Head of Digital Performance to lead its next chapter.This is an exciting opportunity to bring Paid Media and SEO together into a unified Performance function, leading the people, processes, workloads and commercial performance that drive its success.Supported by a talented team of specialists, managers and future leaders, you'll be responsible for strengthening capability, raising standards and delivering exceptional results for both our clients and the business.

About Us

We are Bigwave.Community, care and doing the right thing sit at the heart of who we are. A proud B Corp agency, we believe happy, supported people deliver the best results for our clients, which is why we work hard to create an environment where people who share those values can grow, contribute and thrive.For almost 20 years, we've built our reputation on doing things the right way. Combining specialist expertise with a collaborative, people-first approach, creating positive outcomes for our people, clients and communities isn't an initiative at Bigwave, it's part of who we are.

About the job

Who We’re Looking ForWe’re looking for an experienced digital leader to bring together and strengthen our Paid Media and SEO teams under a single Performance function.This is an opportunity to shape the future direction of the department. You'll play a key role in raising standards within Paid Media, creating stronger alignment between Paid Media and SEO, and developing the next generation of leaders and specialists across the team.You'll be a confident and collaborative leader who can bring people together, challenge constructively and create clarity where others see complexity. Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, you'll work closely with specialists, managers and senior stakeholders to drive performance, capability and growth.At Bigwave, people come first. We're looking for someone who develops others, creates accountability, and builds an environment where talented people can do their best work.You aren't here to maintain the status quo. You're here to strengthen capability, build standards, support future leaders and help shape the next chapter of Bigwave's Performance offering.

What You’ll Bring

• Deep Paid Media ExpertiseYou possess extensive, current hands‑on experience running Paid Search, Paid Social and high‑performing ecommerce campaigns at a senior agency level.
• Agency Leadership ExperienceYou've successfully led a Paid Media, Performance Marketing or Digital Performance function within an agency environment and understand the pace, complexity and commercial realities that come with it.
• Strategic SEO LiteracyWhile you don't need to be a deep SEO technician, you know enough to challenge thinking, support strategic decision‑making and integrate SEO effectively within a wider Performance function.
• Leadership & People DevelopmentYou've successfully led managers, senior specialists and high‑performing teams, with a passion for developing future leaders and technical experts.
• Leadership PresenceYou're comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, making difficult decisions, creating alignment across teams and championing positive change.
• Commercial AcumenYou have experience owning departmental performance, including revenue, utilisation and profitability, and can identify opportunities to grow services, strengthen client relationships and improve efficiency.
• Values‑Led MindsetYou naturally align with our values and believe that doing the right thing for people, clients and communities is just as important as delivering great results.

Why You’ll Love It Here

In addition to your salary, you'll benefit from:

• True hybrid balance: 3 days at home / 2 days in the office
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Simplyhealth healthcare plan
• Access to a rewards platform
• Pension scheme with salary sacrifice options
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Creative UK membership
• City‑centre office location
• Regular socials, events and team perks

Please note: we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and all candidates must have the existing right to work in the UK.