At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital advertising growth and develop strategic partnerships in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Forest, London's sustainable shared ebike operator with a mission to green cities.
- Benefits: Enjoy free bike rides, 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and regular socials.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; we celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of advertising while making a positive impact on urban mobility.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in digital advertising with strong agency relationships and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A Bit About Forest
We’re Forest. You know, those shared ebikes in London that look like trees. We’re London’s most sustainable shared ebike operator. We bridge the gap between affordability and sustainability, using advertising revenue to offer our users up to 30 free minutes per ride. Our mission is to help cities move greener—and we’re growing fast. Alongside our mobility platform, we've built Forest Ads, our in‑house advertising business. Brands can sponsor rides in exchange for advertising space within the Forest app, helping riders access subsidised travel while connecting advertisers with highly engaged audiences across London. We help advertisers reach people at the right place and time through in‑app advertising, first‑party audience insights and location‑based targeting. Working at the intersection of mobility, media and technology, we've partnered with brands including Deliveroo, Virgin and Octopus Energy, as well as agency groups such as OMD, Havas and WPP. Our campaigns consistently outperform industry benchmarks, with some delivering results more than 10× above industry averages.
A Bit About The Role
This is a senior commercial role responsible for growing Forest’s digital advertising business. You’ll lead agency and direct brand sales, develop strategic partnerships, mentor and develop a growing team of Business Development Executives and SDRs, and personally close high‑value opportunities. You’ll also work closely with Product and Technology teams, using customer feedback and market insight to evolve Forest’s advertising platform and identify new commercial opportunities. This role is ideal for someone with strong agency relationships, a proven track record in advertising sales, and the ambition to help shape the future of Forest Ads.
Your key responsibilities include:
- Revenue Growth
- Own and deliver digital advertising revenue targets, shaping the commercial strategy for Forest Ads.
- Lead negotiations and close high‑value advertising deals.
- Own Forest’s advertising inventory, yield and monetisation strategy to maximise revenue and campaign performance.
- Maintain accurate forecasting and pipeline reporting to support planning and growth.
- Agency & Brand Relationships
- Build and strengthen relationships with media agencies, planners, buyers, and key brand stakeholders.
- Grow Forest's share of agency media budgets and drive advertising revenue.
- Develop strategic partnerships with leading brands and agencies.
- Represent Forest Ads in the market and help establish it as a leading advertising solution in London.
- Team Leadership
- Manage and mentor a growing team, currently two team members with plans to expand significantly.
- Create a high‑performance, target‑driven sales culture.
- Support prospecting, pitching and account growth activities.
- Establish clear processes and performance expectations.
- Product & Market Development
- Gather feedback from agencies and advertisers to inform product development and commercial opportunities.
- Work closely with Product and Technology teams to identify improvements and new opportunities.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging advertising technologies.
- Track and analyse key performance metrics, identify trends and make data‑driven recommendations to improve campaign performance and client outcomes.
Who you are:
- 5‑10 years of experience in digital advertising, media or adtech sales.
- You already have strong relationships across agencies, media buyers and brand marketing teams.
- Experience leading, developing and mentoring sales teams.
- A natural problem solver who takes ownership, is commercially driven and delivers results.
- Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment and motivated by ambitious growth targets.
Bonus but not essential:
- Experience with Google Ad Manager, DV360 and other DSPs and SSPs.
- Experience selling location‑based media, retail media, adtech, mobile advertising or out‑of‑home solutions.
- Experience working in a startup or scale‑up environment.
Location
We love spending time in the office together, with 4 days a week in our office and 1 day a week working from home. If you require a more flexible working arrangement, please still apply! We’re happy to discuss it further with you at the interview stage.
What You’ll Get In Return
- Free Forest bike rides for you and a +1.
- 25 days holiday pro rata + bank holidays.
- Private Medical Insurance & Cashplan.
- Annual personal development budget.
- Free lunch on Fridays.
- Enhanced Parental Leave.
- Regular Socials.
- Birthday off.
- Childcare salary sacrifice.
Equal opportunities
Forest is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, bias, or harassment. If you'd like to share your pronouns, please let us know. If there's any reasonable adjustments we can include to make our application process easier for you (due to disability, neurodiversity or anything else) please let us know so we can support you.
Want to create a greener future with us? Join us, and Let's reForest the world together!
Digital Advertising Lead in London employer: Forest
At Forest, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions sustainability and innovation in the heart of London. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, offering employees ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, including mentorship and development programmes. With unique benefits like free bike rides, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to inclusivity, we empower our team to thrive while making a meaningful impact on urban mobility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Advertising Lead in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Forest and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Forest are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Forest on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Forest. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Advertising Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Forest. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Forest:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Forest’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forest
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Forest will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Forest, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
