Head of Digital Media / Performance

Head of Digital Media / Performance
Rickmansworth (Hybrid)
Up to £70K + profit share

A fast-growing full-service agency is looking for a Head of Digital Media / Performance to lead its paid media capability across Paid Search, Paid Social and Programmatic.

Following a number of significant client wins, this agency is expanding its media function and is looking for a senior performance specialist who can combine hands on campaign expertise with strategic leadership.

This is not a pure management role - you'll remain close to the work, shaping campaign strategy, optimising performance and turning data into meaningful insight for clients.

There is also a clear pathway toward board-level responsibility within three years, making this an exciting opportunity for an ambitious performance leader.

As Head of Digital Media / Performance, you'll lead the planning, execution and optimisation of paid media activity across a diverse portfolio of clients spanning Higher Education, B2B and consumer sectors.

You'll work closely with internal strategy, SEO and insight teams to deliver integrated performance campaigns while acting as the senior voice on paid media across the agency.

Performance & Campaign Delivery

• Lead strategy, execution and optimisation across Paid Search, Paid Social and Programmatic campaigns
• Maintain hands on involvement in campaign setup, testing, optimisation and scaling
• Drive measurable performance improvements and ROI across all channels

Insight, Reporting & Optimisation

• Translate reporting dashboards and campaign data into clear insights and recommendations
• Identify growth opportunities and optimisation strategies for clients
• Present campaign performance and strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders

Ad Operations & Governance

• Oversee campaign setup, monitoring and reporting across platforms
• Manage budgets, pacing and spend reconciliation across paid channels
• Troubleshoot spend, tracking and reporting issues alongside internal teams

Client Leadership & New Business

• Lead performance conversations with clients, presenting results and recommendations with confidence
• Act as the senior performance specialist in new business pitches and growth initiatives
• Build strong relationships with media platforms and technology partners

Collaboration & Innovation

• Work closely with SEO, strategy and analytics teams to deliver integrated performance solutions
• Stay ahead of developments in AI, automation and paid media technology
• Mentor team members and promote best practice across the agency

Skills & Experience

• 4-5+ years' experience managing Paid Search, Paid Social and Programmatic campaigns
• Advanced knowledge of Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager and LinkedIn Campaign Manager
• Strong working knowledge of Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager
• Google Ads and Meta certifications
• Demonstrable track record improving campaign performance and ROI
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into clear insights
• Confident communicator with experience presenting to clients and contributing to pitches

Desirable

• Experience working with Higher Education or complex B2B clients
• Knowledge of SEO and integrated performance strategies
• Experience with automation, bidding frameworks or scripts

What We're Looking For

• A hands on performance leader who enjoys being close to campaigns
• Commercially minded and ambitious with strong leadership potential
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and complex data sets
• Curious about innovation, AI and the future of paid media

If you're a Head of Digital Media / Performance looking for a role where you can shape strategy, influence agency growth and work on high-impact campaigns, we'd love to hear from you.

Quote AP1182 when applying.