Head of Paid Media

Central Employment Agency (North East) Limited; City Of London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A full-service Performance Marketing agency in Glasgow seeks a Head of Paid Media to lead a skilled team. This role involves overseeing integrated paid media strategies across channels such as Google Ads and Paid Social. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in handling complex client accounts, focusing on growth and innovation. Strong mentorship and strategic skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years in a leadership role, ideally within an agency setting.
• Experience in managing complex Paid Media client accounts, preferably in Retail, Leisure, or Hospitality sectors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of integrated paid strategies across channels.
• Lead, mentor and develop the paid media team.
• Present value propositions of paid media services to prospective clients.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in paid media.

Skills

Channel management

Paid Search (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads)

Paid Social (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn)

Programmatic Display / Video

Team leadership

Job description

Central Employment Marketing & Digital division are delighted to be working with an expanding full-service Performance Marketing and Web Development agency in Glasgow, as they look to appoint a Head of Paid Media (Search & Social).

We're looking for a "hands on" Senior Paid Media / Head of Paid Media who can lead, mentor a small but knowledgeable team of PPC specialists and creative Paid Social experts, work a number of key client accounts, with a focus on Google Ads, Microsoft Ads and Metasearch.

Main responsibilities

Oversee the development and implementation of integrated paid strategies across all relevant channels, including Paid Search (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), Paid Social (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn), Programmatic Display / Video, and Metasearch.

• Develop and execute the overall paid media strategy for the agency, aligning with agency growth objectives and market trends.
• Develop and implement processes and systems to improve the efficiency and profitability of the paid media department.
• Develop compelling paid media proposals, forecasts and presentations for prospective clients.
• Conduct paid media audits and competitive analyses for potential clients.
• Present the value proposition of the agency's paid media services to prospective clients.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the paid media space, including developing new service offerings and expanding into new markets.

Monitor KPIs and track the performance of all paid media accounts.

• Lead, mentor and develop the paid media team. Conduct monthly check-ins to measure progress towards career goals, provide feedback, and address employee concerns.
• Establish and continuously refine best‑practice campaign management and optimisation processes to ensure efficiency, quality control, and scalable delivery across all paid channels.
• Organise the team's resourcing each month, by strategically mapping each employee's capacity and skillset against active client retainers to ensure optimal utilisation and monitoring progress with our internal task tracking platform.
• Act as the primary strategic contact for high‑value and complex client accounts, building strong relationships and presenting sophisticated quarterly and annual strategic reviews.
• Take direct ownership of key commercial metrics for the department, including client retention & satisfaction, paid team revenue growth, and achieving client performance targets.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the business development team to develop innovative paid media proposals and strategies for pitches and upselling opportunities.

Essential experience

Exceptional channel management, specifically across Paid Search (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), Paid Social (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn), Programmatic Display / Video, and Metasearch.

2-3 yrs in a leadership role, ideally gained within an agency setting.

The ability to manage high‑value and complex Paid Media client accounts, ideally in the Retail, Leisure or Hospitality sectors.