At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in SEO, social media, and organic search strategies.
- Company: Join GAIN, a creative and data-driven company shaping the future of media.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and develop world-class specialists.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI and digital discovery, making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven expertise in SEO and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Department: Performance Media
Reporting to: Director of Performance Media
Location: London/Bournemouth/Bristol/Barcelona/Hybrid
ABOUT: GAIN is a creative-led, insight-driven company that blends data, tech and creativity. We believe the best ideas emerge where intelligence and creativity unite, where insight sparks imagination, and where innovation turns possibility into progress. We are explorers of new frontiers, shaping bold strategies that move people, brands, and businesses forward. Individually and together, our specialist teams provide the vision, data, and confidence brands and organisations need to make braver, more impactful decisions. Today as GAIN, we work as a united force, using data to fuel creativity, and technology to unlock new possibilities. We don’t just embrace innovation, we engineer it, transforming information into action, and ideas into breakthroughs. This is where rebel thinking, smart technology and data-driven creativity shape the future.
THE ROLE: The Head of Owned Media is GAIN's senior specialist and capability leader across SEO, organic search, social, authority and link building, responsible for setting the standard for our work today while defining how the capability needs to evolve for the future. Search and discovery are changing rapidly. Traditional search engines increasingly sit alongside AI-powered search, generative answer engines and new discovery environments. We are looking for a progressive leader who understands this shift and is excited by the opportunity to evolve GAIN's Owned Media proposition around it. Reporting to the Director of Performance Media, you will lead a team of specialists and take responsibility for the quality, development, innovation and commercial performance of the capability. You will combine deep technical and strategic expertise with strong people leadership, ensuring our teams consistently deliver exceptional work for clients while continuing to develop their skills and expertise. You will be expected to remain close to the craft. This is not simply a people-management role. You will provide senior technical leadership on complex client challenges, challenge established approaches, introduce new methodologies and ensure GAIN remains at the forefront of SEO, Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), AI-enabled search and the wider evolution of organic discovery. You will work closely with Client Portfolio teams, Strategy, Data, Technology, AI and other specialist capabilities across GAIN to create integrated solutions that deliver measurable business impact.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: The Head of Owned Media is accountable for:
- Setting the strategic and technical direction for GAIN's Owned Media capability across SEO, organic search, social, authority and link building
- Leading, developing and inspiring a multidisciplinary team
- Ensuring consistently high standards of strategy, technical delivery, execution and measurable client performance
- Evolving GAIN's proposition in response to changing search behaviours, AI-powered discovery, GEO and emerging technologies
- Building AI-enabled workflows, automation and tools that improve the quality, speed and scalability of our work
- Acting as the senior subject-matter expert for Owned Media across GAIN, providing authority and confidence to clients, prospects and internal teams
- Developing new services, methodologies, frameworks and intellectual property that differentiate GAIN in the market
- Ensuring the capability operates commercially, with strong utilisation, effective resource deployment and sustainable contribution to margin
- Developing world-class specialists and future leaders within the discipline
TECHNICAL & CAPABILITY LEADERSHIP: You will be the senior technical authority for Owned Media within GAIN, continually raising the quality, sophistication and relevance of the capability. Responsibilities include:
- Defining and continually evolving GAIN's approach to SEO, organic search, social, authority building and digital discovery
- Maintaining deep knowledge of technical SEO and ensuring best practice is consistently applied across complex and enterprise-level client environments
- Providing senior oversight and strategic direction for major client programmes, pitches and complex organic-search challenges
- Establishing clear standards for technical SEO, content optimisation, authority and link building, measurement, reporting and strategic planning
- Challenging teams to move beyond traditional SEO metrics and demonstrate the relationship between organic visibility, discovery, customer behaviour and business growth
- Coaching and mentoring senior specialists, ensuring technical knowledge and strategic thinking continually develop across the team
- Building strong relationships with search platforms, technology partners and relevant industry communities
- Representing GAIN as a recognised authority on the future of search and organic discovery through client conversations, industry events, content and thought leadership
THE FUTURE OF SEARCH: AI, GEO & DISCOVERY: The Head of Owned Media will play a central role in defining what the next generation of Owned Media looks like at GAIN. You will:
- Develop GAIN's approach to Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and visibility within AI-powered search and answer environments
- Build our understanding of how brands are discovered, referenced and represented across traditional search engines, AI assistants, generative search experiences and emerging discovery platforms
- Establish methodologies for measuring brand visibility and influence across both traditional and AI-mediated search journeys
- Explore how technical SEO, content, structured data, digital PR, authority signals and brand credibility influence visibility within generative search environments
- Lead experimentation around emerging search technologies, separating meaningful opportunities from short-term industry hype
- Work with GAIN's AI and Technology specialists to develop proprietary approaches, tools and workflows that create competitive advantage
- Ensure new capabilities can be translated into credible, repeatable and commercially viable client services
AI-ENABLED WAYS OF WORKING: We want AI to change how the capability operates, not simply become another tool in the technology stack. You will identify and implement opportunities to use AI and automation across areas such as:
- Search and audience research
- Keyword, topic and intent analysis
- Technical auditing and diagnostics
- Content opportunity identification and optimisation
- Competitor and market intelligence
- Authority and link analysis
- Data analysis and insight generation
- Reporting and performance commentary
- Quality assurance and workflow automation
- Identification of emerging trends and changes in search behaviour
You will establish appropriate governance around these workflows, ensuring automation improves human expertise rather than compromising quality, accuracy or strategic thinking.
CLIENT & DELIVERY EXCELLENCE: Take senior ownership of the strategic direction and quality of GAIN's most important and complex Owned Media engagements. Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, translating complex search challenges into clear commercial opportunities. Support teams in resolving difficult technical, strategic or performance challenges. Ensure appropriate quality assurance is applied across strategy, implementation, analysis and reporting. Challenge briefs, strategies and established approaches where a better solution can be found. Ensure client strategies remain current as search platforms, algorithms, consumer behaviour and AI-powered discovery evolve. Lead or support strategic pitches, credentials and new-business conversations where specialist expertise can differentiate GAIN. Work closely with Client Portfolio teams to identify opportunities to grow and deepen client relationships.
PROPOSITION & SERVICE DEVELOPMENT: Continually assess GAIN's Owned Media proposition against client needs, competitor capabilities and wider changes within the search landscape. Identify opportunities for new products and services across SEO, GEO, AI discovery, authority building and organic performance. Turn successful approaches into repeatable methodologies, frameworks, scopes and commercial propositions. Lead pilots and proofs of concept before scaling successful approaches across the capability. Develop reusable assets, methodologies and intellectual property that differentiate GAIN. Collaborate across Strategy, Creative, Media, Data, Technology and AI to develop integrated propositions rather than allowing Owned Media to operate in isolation. Ensure propositions are commercially viable, scalable and capable of demonstrating measurable client value.
DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS EXPERTS: You will build a specialist community.
GAIN - Head of Owned Media in London employer: GAIN
GAIN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where creativity meets data-driven insights. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, GAIN offers opportunities for professional development and leadership within a collaborative environment across vibrant locations like London, Bournemouth, Bristol, and Barcelona. The company not only embraces the latest technologies but also encourages its team to challenge conventional thinking, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the evolving landscape of owned media.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GAIN - Head of Owned Media 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 GAIN 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 GAIN 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 GAIN 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 GAIN. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace GAIN - Head of Owned Media 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 GAIN. 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 GAIN:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about GAIN’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 GAIN
✨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 GAIN 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 GAIN, 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.
