Paid Media Principal

YMCA Brighton; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work balance

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Simply Health healthcare plan

Rewards platform access

Pension salary sacrifice

EV salary sacrifice

Cycle to Work

Creative UK membership

City-centre office

Regular socials

Job summary

Bigwave Marketing is seeking a Senior Paid Media Principal to lead technical strategy across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and analytics-driven measurement. You will own complex e-commerce campaigns (Google Shopping, YouTube ads) and manage programmatic and social channels, driving ROI while mentoring peers.

You’ll thrive in a data-driven environment, staying ahead of platform changes and collaborating with leadership to grow the digital performance function.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on agency experience driving ROI with expert Google Ads & Analytics.
• Experience managing complex e-commerce campaigns including Google Shopping & YouTube ads.
• Strong breadth across platforms (LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, X/Twitter, Spotify) and programmatic.
• Mentor and coach colleagues to shape a growing function.

Responsibilities

• Own paid media strategy and execution across channels.
• Mentor teammates and lead client accounts.
• Stay ahead of platform updates and new measurement techniques.
• Collaborate with Head of Digital Performance to grow function.

Skills

Google Ads (Search & Display)

Microsoft Ads

Google Analytics & Attribution

E-commerce Campaigns

Video Advertising

Programmatic & Social Ads

Mentoring / Coaching

Google Tag Manager

Conversion Tracking

Tools

Google Tag Manager

Conversion Tracking

Job description

We're investing in the future of our Digital Performance function, and this role, alongside our incoming Head of Digital Performance, is central to that. As a Paid Media Principal, you'll be recognised as a technical expert within the team, helping to evolve our toolkit and build capability from the ground up alongside your new Head of Digital Performance counterpart. This is a senior specialist role for someone who wants to grow their influence and impact without having to move into formal line management.

About Us

We are Bigwave Marketing! We're a full-service agency with strong roots in the leisure, tourism, and hospitality sectors, alongside a growing portfolio of diverse clients.Community, care, and doing the right thing matter to us. We're a certified B Corp agency, and a workplace where bright ideas are welcomed, knowledge is shared freely, and our people feel empowered to make a genuine difference to their colleagues, clients, and communities.

About the job

Who We're Looking For

We want someone who loves the technical side of Paid Media and enjoys keeping up with emerging platforms, technologies, and ways of working.

• We're looking for a confident, independent technical expert who thrives on autonomy. In this role, you'll bring:
• Core Expertise: Significant hands-on agency experience driving ROI, with expert-level knowledge of Google Ads (Search & Display), Microsoft Ads, and Google Analytics, attribution and measurement.
• E-commerce & Video Mastery: Advanced experience managing complex e-commerce campaigns, including Google Shopping, Meta Ads, YouTube advertising, advanced remarketing, and audience segmentation.
• Channel & Technical Breadth: Strong experience running campaigns across broader platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, X/Twitter, Spotify, and Programmatic environments, along with Google Tag Manager and conversion tracking.
• Mentorship: A proven track record of coaching and mentoring colleagues, with independence and confidence to help shape a growing function.

What You'll Bring

• Core Expertise: Significant hands-on agency experience driving ROI, with expert-level knowledge of Google Ads (Search & Display), Microsoft Ads, and Google Analytics, attribution and measurement.
• E-commerce & Video Mastery: Advanced experience managing complex e-commerce campaigns, including Google Shopping, Meta Ads, YouTube advertising, advanced remarketing, and audience segmentation.
• Channel & Technical Breadth: Strong experience running campaigns across broader platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, X/Twitter, Spotify, and Programmatic environments, along with Google Tag Manager and conversion tracking.
• Mentorship: A proven track record of coaching and mentoring colleagues, with experience managing complex client accounts and the independence and confidence to help shape a growing function.

Why You'll Love It Here

At Bigwave, we know that great work comes from happy, supported people. 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
• Simply Health 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.