Paid Media Specialist

Paid Media Specialist

Full-Time 58500 - 71500 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own paid media planning, buying, and optimisation across diverse channels.
  • Company: Join Klarna, a leading fintech innovating everyday finance for millions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for growth.
  • Other info: Diverse backgrounds welcome; work in a collaborative London office.
  • Why this job: Be hands-on in media activation and make a real impact on campaigns.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in paid media with hands-on experience in Google, Meta, and TikTok.

The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.

Job-ID: ad751672-a118-49f0-8015-6dfff99145d1Location: London

Posted: 2026-09-30Contact: ivy. chiang@klarna. com Klarna, briefly At Klarna, we're building an everyday finance network, helping over 120 million consumers across 26 countries save time and money, and worry less about their finances.

Working here means taking on problems most companies never get to solve, and being hands-on enough that the interesting part of the work lands with you, not someone else — you'll build with AI, not watch it happen.

This is the stretch zone.

Come find out what you're capable of.

About the role Klarna's Paid Media Hub buys its own media in-house.

This is a hands-on activation position, not an agency-management one.

Planning, buying, launching, and optimising happens inside the team rather than being briefed out to an agency, which means this position is in the ad platforms daily and in direct contact with media vendors, publishers, sales houses, and ad tech providers.

Agencies may support specific pieces of work, but the buying sits with you.

The Hub runs brand and performance media across the full funnel, awareness through conversion, and across digital and offline channels.

You'll typically own one or two priority markets and stay flexible enough to support others, working with creative, product, and platform partners to deliver media that is both effective and efficient.

What you'll do

  • You'll own paid media planning, buying, and optimisation end to end for your assigned markets, typically one or two, with flexibility to support others.
  • You'll activate campaigns yourself across the full media funnel, across a diverse channel mix — performance: Google, Meta, Tik Tok, Snapchat, ASA, X; brand: social, programmatic display, video (CTV/OLV), audio; offline: OOH, TV / ATV, print and other traditional channels.
  • You'll be hands-on in the ad platforms: setup, bidding, audiences, creative testing, QA, trafficking, and in-flight optimisation.
  • You'll build media strategies that connect funnel objectives to Klarna's brand and growth KPIs.
  • You'll report on performance, efficiency, and effectiveness, with clear recommendations.
  • You'll work directly with ad platforms, publishers, sales houses, and ad tech vendors on what you buy.
  • You'll pick up media operations where needed — platform access, billing, contracts, and vendor admin.
  • You'll follow platform and channel developments and bring practical improvements into how the team plans and buys.

Who you are

  • You're an experienced paid media specialist, typically with four or more years in media planning and buying.
  • You've worked hands-on in an in-house media team, or an equivalent operator position.

This isn't a position for someone whose primary experience is briefing and managing agencies.

  • You've built, launched, and optimised campaigns in Google, Meta, and Tik Tok yourself.
  • You've run Google UAC or App campaigns, or an equivalent app performance product, as part of a performance marketing mix.
  • You've activated a full-funnel channel mix: search, social, programmatic, video, and offline channels such as OOH and TV or CTV — brand and performance, not only one or the other.
  • You can work flexibly across several markets, with depth in the one or two you own as the primary focus.
  • You turn data into action, and you keep campaigns, vendors, and internal partners moving to deadline.
  • Bonus points for
  • Programmatic buying experience in DV360 or another DSP
  • GA4 or another measurement certification, or experience with testing or conversion optimisation
  • Experience in fintech, e-commerce, or other high-volume media environments
  • A degree in marketing, business, or a related field Things you should know before applying
  • This position is based in London.
  • Pay: the starting salary range for this position is 71,027–79,551 GBP per year.

Where an offer sits in that range depends on the level we assess you at against our internal framework, which considers skills, relevant experience and the scope of the position.

  • Working together: we value co-located teams.

This team currently meets in the London office two days per week; this varies by team and can change over time.

  • Non-obvious backgrounds are welcome.

Diversity of skills, perspectives and backgrounds is how we create, innovate, and disrupt like no other.

Please include a CV in English.

Concrete beats comprehensive — what you built, what it did, what it cost.

If a project matters more than a job title, lead with the project.

Curious to learn more about Klarna and what it's like to work here?

Explore our career site!

Paid Media Specialist employer: Klarna

At Klarna, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to tackle unique challenges in the fintech space. With opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across diverse teams, our London office offers a vibrant environment where innovation thrives. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive salaries and a commitment to work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

Klarna Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Paid Media Specialist

✨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 Klarna 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 Klarna 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 Klarna 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 Klarna. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Paid Media Specialist

Paid Media Planning
Media Buying
Campaign Optimisation
Google Ads
Meta Ads
TikTok Advertising
Performance Marketing

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 Klarna. 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 Klarna:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Klarna’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 Klarna

✨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 Klarna 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 Klarna, 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.