Head of Acquisition (Paid Media & Growth) in London

Head of Acquisition (Paid Media & Growth) in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Quest Search and Selection

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead customer acquisition strategies across paid media and partnerships for a global beauty brand.
  • Company: Join a well-known beauty brand experiencing exciting DTC growth and international expansion.
  • Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with significant ownership and autonomy.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of digital growth and make a significant impact in a dynamic industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in performance marketing and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Quest is partnering with a well-known global beauty brand that is undergoing an exciting period of DTC growth and international expansion. The business has built strong brand equity and is now investing heavily in scaling its performance marketing engine to accelerate customer acquisition, improve efficiency, and drive long-term profitable growth across multiple markets.

This is a highly strategic leadership role sitting at the centre of the digital growth agenda, responsible for building and optimising a best-in-class acquisition function across paid media, affiliate, and performance partnerships. You’ll own the full acquisition funnel from traffic generation through to conversion across key digital channels including Meta, Google, TikTok, and affiliate publishing networks.

Key Responsibilities
  • Own end-to-end customer acquisition strategy across all paid digital channels.
  • Define channel mix, budget allocation, and scalable growth roadmap aligned to revenue targets.
  • Lead forecasting and scenario planning in partnership with Finance and Commercial teams.
  • Balance scale and efficiency through disciplined management of CAC, LTV, and payback.
  • Continuously evolve acquisition strategy in response to platform changes, privacy shifts, and market dynamics.
Paid Media Excellence (Meta, Google, TikTok)
  • Own performance across Meta, Google (Search, Shopping, YouTube), and TikTok.
  • Lead full-funnel strategy across prospecting, retargeting, and retention layers.
  • Optimise campaign structure, bidding strategies, audience targeting, and creative performance.
  • Partner with Brand and Content teams to build and execute a structured creative testing roadmap.
  • Stay ahead of platform innovation, beta opportunities, and emerging ad formats.
Affiliate & Partnership Growth
  • Own and scale affiliate and performance publishing partnerships.
  • Develop commercial models and incentive structures that drive mutually beneficial growth.
  • Optimise affiliate contribution with a strong focus on incrementality and efficiency.
Data, Analytics & Performance Optimisation
  • Build and own a high-frequency acquisition performance dashboard across all channels.
  • Track and optimise CAC, ROAS, MER, LTV, and payback period.
  • Translate performance data into actionable insights and growth opportunities.
  • Lead a rigorous test-and-learn agenda across audience, creative, landing pages, and channels.
  • Partner with Data and Tech teams to enhance attribution and measurement frameworks.
  • Work closely with Ecommerce and Product teams to improve on-site conversion.
  • Identify friction points in the customer journey and drive CRO initiatives.
  • Ensure landing page and on-site experience align with channel intent and campaign objectives.
  • Continuously improve conversion rate and customer quality.
Agency & Partner Management
  • Own relationships with media agencies and platform partners.
  • Set clear KPIs, performance expectations, and reporting standards.
  • Ensure best-in-class execution, accountability, and innovation.
  • Evaluate and evolve external partner model to support scale.
Strategic Growth & Innovation
  • Identify and test new acquisition channels and emerging platforms.
  • Lead experimentation across tools, technologies, and media innovation.
  • Support international expansion with tailored acquisition strategies by market.
  • Champion a high-performance, test-and-learn culture.
Key KPIs
  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and payback period
  • Revenue growth from paid and affiliate channels
  • New customer volume and quality (LTV, retention)
  • Channel mix efficiency and incrementality
  • Conversion rate and funnel performance improvements
  • Creative testing velocity and impact
  • Affiliate contribution and ROI
Candidate Profile
  • Strong background in performance marketing / acquisition leadership within a high-growth DTC or consumer brand (beauty, fashion, or similar).
  • Deep expertise across Meta, Google, TikTok, and affiliate ecosystems.
  • Proven ability to scale acquisition profitably in international markets.
  • Highly analytical with strong commercial acumen (CAC, LTV, MER-driven decision making).
  • Experience leading agency relationships and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Strong test-and-learn mindset with a focus on continuous optimisation and innovation.
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, scaling environment with significant ownership and autonomy.

Head of Acquisition (Paid Media & Growth) in London employer: Quest Search and Selection

At Quest, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Head of Acquisition role in London. Our dynamic work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a globally recognised beauty brand. With a strong focus on performance marketing and international expansion, we offer a unique environment where your contributions directly impact our success, all while enjoying the benefits of a hybrid working model.

Quest Search and Selection

Contact Details:

Quest Search and Selection Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Acquisition (Paid Media & Growth) in London

Show Your Creative Side

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Engage in Marketing Communities

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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 Quest Search and Selection on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

Attend Industry Events

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Acquisition (Paid Media & Growth) in London

Performance Marketing
Customer Acquisition Strategy
Paid Media Management
Meta Advertising
Google Advertising
TikTok Advertising
Affiliate 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 Quest Search and Selection. 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 Quest Search and Selection:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Quest Search and Selection’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 Quest Search and Selection

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 Quest Search and Selection 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 Quest Search and Selection, 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.