At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative social campaigns and manage budgets across platforms like Meta and TikTok.
- Company: Join a beloved brand with a vibrant team and exciting future.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% staff discount, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape innovative content and drive results in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in Paid Social with strong creative instincts and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Paid Social Executive to join our Paid Media team on a 6-month fixed term contract.
Reporting to the Paid Social Manager, you will play a pivotal role in our approach to channel management, measurement, and driving content excellence across our platforms.
This is a creative-first paid social role where your instinct for scroll-stopping content is as valued as your performance data.
You will shape the creative direction of paid social campaigns across Meta, Tik Tok, and beyond — turning audience insights into ads that work.
You will bring platform expertise, a test-and-learn mindset, and genuine creative problem-solving skills to drive strong results from our Paid Social investment.
- Support the development and execution of paid social strategy across UK and Ireland
- Manage day to day campaign budgets within a multi-million-pound media investment, ensuring spend is delivered against performance KPIs
- Build strong relationships with platform reps and external partners to stay ahead of best practice and opportunities
Responsiblities
- CREATIVE AND CONTENT
- Lead the creative strategy end-to-end - briefing, testing, analysing and scaling the formats, hooks and messages that drive results
- Work closely with creative teams to brief in and develop Paid Social assets that align with campaign goals, providing clear direction on format, hook, message and personas
- Provide data-led creative insights to optimise messaging and visuals translating what the numbers tell you into concepts that stop thumbs and drive action
- Run structured creative testing across different formats, placements and hooks to identify and scale top-performing creative approaches
- Stay informed on social content trends, native formats, emerging placements and creative best practices on Tik Tok and Meta to guide ad design and messaging
- CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT
- Manage Paid Social campaigns across Meta, Tik Tok and other emerging platforms, delivering against core KPIs including traffic, conversions, revenue and ROI
- Support testing across new placements, formats and bidding strategies, scaling successful initiatives
- Champion experimentation and innovation within the Paid Social channel
- BUDGET MANAGEMENT
- Monitor and manage campaign budgets daily to maximise performance
- Ensure accurate forecasting and pacing of spend
- COLLABORATION
- Work with Paid Media, Brand, CRM, E-com Ops, and Trading teams to deliver integrated campaigns and support trade priorities
- Share learnings and insights with wider marketing teams to influence strategy
- Collaborate with platform partners and creative teams to deliver innovative campaign activity
- INDUSTRY
- Stay up to date with Paid Social trends, platform changes and new tools
- MEASUREMENT & REPORTING
- Build and maintain reports using platform dashboards and internal reporting tools including GA4
- Analyse campaign performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations
- Communicate results clearly to Paid Social Manager and senior stakeholders
Skills & Abilities
- 2+ years’ experience in Paid Social, ideally in a fast-paced B2C, retail or ecommerce environment
- Strong creative instinct — you understand what makes an ad stop the scroll and can brief it clearly
- Experience briefing creative teams and providing performance-based creative feedback
- In-depth knowledge of Meta Ads Manager, Tik Tok Ads Manager, with experience across additional platforms considered a plus
- Strong understanding of GA4 and web analytics tools
- Comfortable managing large budgets and driving measurable results
- Strong analytical and numerical skills — you can interpret data and turn it into creative direction
- Excellent communication and reporting skills, with ability to translate complex performance data into clear, actionable insights
- A test-and-learn mindset with genuine curiosity about what’s working in social
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
About Us
We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future.
Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do.
Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.
This is what a career at River Island is like.
And this is where yours starts.
This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you
- Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
- Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
- A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
- Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment.
We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
- Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
- Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
- Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
- 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
- Keeping You Safe
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role.
We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business.
We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
To find out more, please visit
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.
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Senior Paid Social Executive in London employer: River Island
At River Island, we pride ourselves on being a much-loved brand with a vibrant and inclusive work culture in Leeds Thorpe Park. Our Islanders enjoy generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, a focus on career progression, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. With unique initiatives like Kindness Cupboards and the Giver Island scheme, we ensure our team members feel valued and empowered to thrive both at work and in their personal lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Paid Social Executive 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 River Island 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 River Island 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 River Island 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 River Island. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Paid Social Executive 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 River Island. 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 River Island:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about River Island’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 River Island
✨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 River Island 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 River Island, 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.
