At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a paid media team while shaping innovative strategies.
- Company: Fast-growing digital agency with a focus on AI and automation.
- Benefits: Real ownership, hybrid working, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Curiosity and continuous learning are highly valued in this role.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the paid media landscape.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of agency-side experience in paid media and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Ready to take proper ownership of a paid media department? We’re working exclusively with a fast-growing digital agency that is looking for a Head of Paid Media to lead, shape and scale its paid media offering. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who genuinely enjoys leading people, and is excited by where paid media is heading next. AI, automation, audience modelling, creative testing, platform changes — all of it. If that sounds like your kind of role, please keep reading.
You’ll lead and develop a paid media team, take senior ownership of key client relationships, and help shape how the agency delivers PPC over the next few years. There’s plenty already working well, but there’s also loads of room to build, improve, experiment and put your own spin on the department.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the Paid Media department day-to-day across strategy, delivery, standards and account allocation
- Coaching, supporting and developing paid media specialists
- Taking senior ownership of larger paid media accounts, including retention, performance reviews and renewal conversations
- Getting hands‑on with strategy and delivery where needed — especially on key accounts
- Building AI into paid media workflows across ad copy, auditing, reporting, audience modelling and creative testing
- Running account audits to spot weaknesses, opportunities and smarter ways to improve performance
- Leading client meetings with clarity, confidence and commercial understanding
- Producing strong presentations, pitch decks and strategic documents for clients and new business
- Writing and reviewing high-quality ad copy
- Keeping a close eye on Google, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok and wider platform changes
- Helping shape pricing, scopes, proposals and how PPC is packaged commercially
- Supporting pitches and new business conversations
- Being a credible, positive senior presence across the agency
What You’ll Bring to the Table
- Significant agency-side Paid Media experience — ideally 5+ years, with time spent in a senior or team‑lead role
- Proven experience across Google Ads, including Search, Display, Shopping and Performance Max
- Strong paid social experience across platforms such as Meta, LinkedIn and TikTok
- Experience across both lead generation and eCommerce accounts
- Solid knowledge of GA4, Google Tag Manager and conversion tracking
- A good commercial brain — you understand PPC beyond clicks and leads, and can connect it back to business results
- Confident client‑facing skills, especially with senior stakeholders and larger accounts
- Experience pitching PPC or contributing to new business
- Strong written communication skills across ad copy, presentations and client comms
- Proper leadership experience — someone who can coach, challenge and bring people on
- Curious, switched‑on and genuinely excited by where paid media is going
- AI‑fluent — not just 'I have ChatGPT', but interested in how AI can properly improve workflows and performance
- PPC‑obsessed in the best way — always learning, testing and keeping pace with the platforms
- Commercially sharp, but still human and collaborative
- Calm under pressure and able to bring clarity when things get complicated
- Positive, generous with knowledge and good energy in the room
- Comfortable balancing leadership with hands‑on account work when needed
Nice to Have
- Experience with Microsoft Ads, Pinterest Ads, Reddit Ads or programmatic platforms
- Experience with feed management or shopping campaign tools
- Google Ads or Meta Blueprint certifications
- Advanced Excel skills
- Experience helping grow or develop a paid media team
- Experience working across eCommerce, home, garden, FMCG or financial services clients
- Experience making smaller budgets work hard — not just managing huge spends
Why Join?
- Real ownership — this is a proper Head of role, with space to shape the department
- AI‑forward environment — a business genuinely interested in using AI to work smarter, not just talk about it
- Growth stage — join an agency with momentum and ambition
- Team leadership — coach, support and raise the standard of a growing paid media function
- Curiosity is valued — this is a place for people who want to keep learning, not coast
- Commercial influence — have a say in how PPC is packaged, pitched and grown
- Hybrid working — Leeds‑based with flexibility
Sound Like Your Kind of Challenge? If you’re ready to lead a Paid Media team, shape an offering, embrace AI properly and help build something with real momentum, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Paid Media (digital) employer: Got The T-Shirt
Join a fast-growing digital agency that offers real ownership and the opportunity to shape the future of its paid media department. With a strong focus on AI integration, a collaborative work culture, and a commitment to employee growth, this role provides a unique chance to lead a talented team while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working in Leeds. If you're passionate about paid media and eager to make a significant impact, this is the perfect place for you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Paid Media (digital)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on that Head of Paid Media role you’re eyeing.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best PPC campaigns and results. When you land that interview, you’ll have tangible proof of your expertise to impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about AI! Since this role is all about embracing the future of paid media, brush up on how AI can enhance workflows and performance. Bring those ideas to the table during interviews!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got your back, and applying directly gives you a better chance to stand out. Plus, we love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Paid Media (digital)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Paid Media:When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for paid media shine through! Talk about your experiences and how you've embraced new trends like AI and automation. We want to see that you're not just in it for the job, but genuinely excited about where the industry is heading.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience. Focus on your leadership skills and any successful campaigns you've managed. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and make sure your ad copy examples are sharp and engaging. We appreciate strong communication skills, so show us what you've got!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Got The T-Shirt
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends in paid media, especially around AI and automation. Brush up on your Google Ads, Meta, and TikTok knowledge, and be ready to discuss how these platforms are evolving and what that means for strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you coached team members or improved performance. This role is all about leadership, so make sure you can demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop others.
✨Be Client-Focused
Since this position involves taking ownership of key client relationships, come prepared with examples of how you've managed client expectations and delivered results. Highlight your experience in client meetings and how you’ve built trust with senior stakeholders.
✨Bring Your A-Game for Presentations
You’ll need to produce strong presentations and pitch decks, so practice your delivery. Be ready to showcase your communication skills and how you can convey complex ideas clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a mock presentation to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
