Head of Paid Media

Oakwell Hampton Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MacBook provided

Hybrid work

Job summary

Oakwell Hampton Group in Manchester is seeking a Head of Paid to lead and grow the agency’s Paid department. You will oversee a diverse client portfolio across e-commerce and lead generation, shaping the strategic direction of the paid offering.

The role combines leadership, client management, and commercial responsibility with new business input. You will manage a team, set KPIs and drive performance across major paid channels.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years in Paid Media.
• 2+ years in a senior leadership or Head of Paid role.
• Experience managing a team of 3+ Paid specialists.
• Experience overseeing 15–20+ client accounts.
• Strong experience across e-commerce and lead generation.
• Advanced knowledge of Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Meta and TikTok.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Paid specialists.
• Set departmental goals, KPIs and strategic direction.
• Oversee campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Meta Ads and TikTok Ads.
• Manage performance across e-commerce and lead generation accounts.
• Drive KPIs including CPA, ROAS, revenue and profitability.
• Oversee audits, tracking, optimisation and performance.
• Develop forecasting and budget recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for account growth and client investment.
• Build senior-level client relationships and provide strategic advice.
• Lead the Paid element of new business pitches.
• Champion AI, automation, testing and innovation across the department.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Client management

Forecasting

Analytics

People development

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Meta Ads

TikTok Ads

GA4

GTM

Google Merchant Centre

Job description

A well-established digital agency based in Manchester is looking for a Head of Paid to lead its growing Paid department. Working across a varied portfolio of 15–20+ clients, the agency delivers high-performance paid media strategies across e-commerce and lead generation.

About the role:

Are you an experienced Paid Media professional ready to take the next step into a senior leadership role?

You will lead and develop the Paid team, oversee a diverse client portfolio and shape the strategic direction of the agency's Paid offering. The role combines leadership, strategic oversight, client management, commercial responsibility and new business support.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Paid specialists.
• Set departmental goals, KPIs and strategic direction.
• Oversee campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Meta Ads and TikTok Ads.
• Manage performance across e-commerce and lead generation accounts.
• Drive commercially meaningful KPIs including CPA, ROAS, revenue and profitability.
• Oversee account audits, tracking, optimisation and performance.
• Develop forecasting and budget recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for account growth and increased client investment.
• Build strong senior-level client relationships and provide strategic advice.
• Lead the Paid element of relevant new business pitches.
• Champion AI, automation, testing and innovation across the department.

Qualifications:

• 6+ years' hands-on Paid Media experience.
• 2+ years' experience in a senior leadership or Head of Paid role.
• Experience managing and developing a team of 3+ Paid specialists.
• Experience overseeing 15–20+ client accounts.
• Strong experience across both e-commerce and lead generation.
• Advanced Google Ads knowledge, alongside Microsoft Ads, Meta and TikTok.
• Strong knowledge of GA4, GTM and Google Merchant Centre.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, commercial and client management skills.

Salary & benefits:

• Up to £55,000, depending on experience.
• Senior leadership position within an established Manchester agency.
• Opportunity to lead and grow a talented Paid team.
• Varied portfolio of e-commerce and lead generation clients.
• Hybrid working with 2 days in the office and 3 from home.
• Company equipment, including a MacBook, provided.

This is an ideal role for an experienced Head of Paid, or a senior Paid Media Manager ready to take the next step into a leadership position.