Head of Paid Digital

Zachary Daniels; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 49,500 - 60,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership benefits

Great company culture

Job summary

A leading media company is looking for a senior leader to oversee the Paid Digital function in Manchester. This role involves developing strategy, managing a team, and ensuring commercial performance across various media channels. The candidate should have a strong background in Paid Digital and proven leadership skills. The position offers a hybrid work model, emphasizing a collaborative culture and employee ownership. Excellent opportunity for those aiming to shape a key function in a performance-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Paid Digital / Performance Marketing.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
• Commercially aware with strong stakeholder skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the Paid Digital strategy aligned to business goals.
• Lead, develop and structure the Paid Media team.
• Oversee performance across all paid media channels.
• Manage forecasting, utilisation and profitability.
• Support new business and growth opportunities.
• Embed best practice across planning, activation and reporting.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Paid Digital / Performance Marketing

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

Chesterfield or Manchester (Hybrid - 3 days in office)

Up to £55k + Benefits!

Employee Owned Business, Great company culture!

The Business

Our client is a well-established, performance‑led media team with over 20 years of success, operating across Chesterfield, Manchester and Birmingham. They deliver digital strategies across a diverse client base including B2C, retail, finance, public sector and live events.

The culture is collaborative, transparent and people‑first. As an Employee Ownership Trust, employees share in the success of the business, supported by accessible leadership and a straightforward, no‑nonsense approach to both clients and internal teams. This type of ownership is called the John Lewis model, it means employees not only have a say but also share in any company profits!

The Role

This is a senior leadership role with full ownership of the Paid Digital function. Reporting to the Digital Commercial Director, you will shape strategy, lead delivery and drive commercial performance across paid media. You’ll manage a team of specialists, work closely with senior peers, while playing a key role in client relationships and new business.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the Paid Digital strategy aligned to business goals
• Lead, develop and structure the Paid Media team
• Oversee performance across all paid media channels
• Manage forecasting, utilisation and profitability
• Support new business and growth opportunities
• Embed best practice across planning, activation and reporting
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement

What Success Looks Like

• Trusted senior client relationships
• Clear commercial control and contribution to growth
• Paid Digital positioned as a core capability

About You

• Strong background in Paid Digital / Performance Marketing
• Proven leadership experience
• Track record of managing and developing teams
• Commercially aware with strong stakeholder skills
• Comfortable working in a hybrid, multi‑location team

The Opportunity

A genuine opportunity to shape and lead a key function within a growing team that values both performance and people.