Head of Paid Media (Digital)

Head of Paid Media Location: Bristol (Hybrid) Type: Full-Time | Permanent Overview We are seeking a commercially driven, hands-on Head of Digital to lead performance delivery across our UK client portfolio. This is not a pure strategy or people-only leadership role. We are looking for a strategic operator — someone equally comfortable fixing a campaign in-platform as they are leading a QBR with senior stakeholders. You will own paid media performance across 20+ accounts, act as the subject matter expert in paid media, and work closely with Account Directors, Media Planning, and Leadership to ensure campaigns consistently hit and outperform targets. The Role Strategic & Performance Leadership Own paid media performance across Paid Search, Paid Social and Programmatic. Ensure conversion forecasts are met and exceeded. Maintain oversight across 20+ accounts with granular attention to detail. Diagnose and fix underperforming campaigns quickly and confidently. Lead campaign pacing, forecasting and budget optimisation to ensure 100% efficiency. Implement and oversee GA4, GTM, tagging and tracking accuracy. Client & Commercial Leadership Act as senior paid media lead in QBRs, pitches and strategic planning sessions. Confidently articulate agency performance strategy and commercial impact. Support Account Directors in aligning paid media strategy with broader growth plans. Handle high-pressure meetings with minimal preparation — knowing campaigns inside out. Identify upsell and optimisation opportunities that drive measurable revenue growth. Process & Operational Excellence Refine and streamline paid media processes and QA frameworks. Drive automation, efficiency and waste reduction across accounts. Implement secondary QA improvements and speed up delivery workflows. Create scalable solutions that improve % gains and reduce % wastage. Ensure LinkedIn and other key channels operate within clear performance guardrails. Leadership Style Hands-on, grounded and credible — willing to work “in the trenches.” Leads by example; earns buy-in through capability and humility. Comfortable managing upwards and working autonomously. Proactive — anticipates challenges before they arise. Commercially aware and aligned to business financial incentives. What You’ll Bring Essential Extensive hands-on experience across: Google Ads (Search, Display, PMax) Meta LinkedIn Programmatic TikTok Snapchat Deep understanding of GA4 and GTM implementation. Strong numeracy and data storytelling ability. Proven ability to manage multi-account portfolios at scale. Experience forecasting, pacing and delivering against conversion targets. Confidence in client-facing environments at senior level. Experience leading digital paid media and performance teams. Highly Desirable Agency background with exposure to complex, multi-channel accounts. Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency and process automation. Strong commercial acumen and revenue driven mindset. Who This Role Is For This role is for someone who: Can blend technical depth (like a Performance Director) with The client gravitas and presence of a senior Account Director And the operational resilience to manage high-volume, high-detail environments. You should be: Highly data-literate. Calm under pressure. Commercially sharp. Likeable, ego-free, and collaborative. Confident selling paid media services to sophisticated clients. What Success Looks Like Campaigns consistently hit and exceed forecasts. Performance inefficiencies are reduced. QA processes become faster and more automated. Clients trust and lean on you as the paid media authority. Leadership no longer needs to firefight campaign issues. What’s in It for You Work with an ambitious, collaborative, and growing paid and strategic partnerships team. Lead delivery for impactful, international web and technical projects across the education sector. £25 monthly wellbeing allowance (e.g. gym membership). Matched pension Paid training for career accreditations. Internal mobility options and established career paths. Incentive schemes and company pension contributions. Hybrid working (minimum 3 days in Bristol office). The Hybrid Difference We don’t just run ads, we create change. Join us in driving innovation in how education brands reach and inspire the students who will shape tomorrow. Hybrid Media is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential - regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives, stronger creativity, and better outcomes for our people and our clients. If you’re excited about this role but feel you don’t meet every single requirement, we’d still love to hear from you. Please reach out to our Recruitment Team ([email protected]) to discuss your experience or to enquire about other opportunities across our growing business.