Paid Media Specialist – Digital Marketing
Location: Hybrid
Role Status: Full time (37.5 hours p/w)
Closing Date: 31 May 2026
You already know that paid media is about more than clicks and impressions. It’s about driving measurable business growth. At Bigwave, you’ll run Paid Media campaigns that deliver measurable results while working with brands that care about their impact. This is a hands‑on, client‑facing role where you’ll take ownership of campaigns, test new ideas and help clients grow through smart, data‑led strategy. You’ll work across a diverse mix of sectors, from e‑commerce and leisure to B2B, education and entertainment and more. We will give you plenty of variety and the opportunity to broaden your experience quickly. If you enjoy taking ownership, improving performance and building strong client relationships, this role is a great next step.
About Us
We’re Bigwave Marketing, a full‑service, B‑Corp certified agency based in Exeter with a team of over 55 specialists spanning strategy, creative, digital and more. Within that, our 8 paid media experts deliver campaigns for clients all over the UK – from e‑commerce brands and national charities to gyms, education providers and local businesses. We’re proud of our award‑winning culture that balances creativity, data‑driven thinking and collaboration. As a Paid Media Specialist, you’ll take ownership of medium to high‑spend accounts, driving measurable results and real growth for our clients while shaping the future of paid media within our team.
About the job
About the role: As a Paid Media Manager at Bigwave, you’ll be part of a close‑knit team of 8 specialists within a wider agency of 50+ people. You’ll take ownership of a portfolio of accounts, managing and optimising campaigns across multiple channels, including Google Ads, Meta, Microsoft Ads, YouTube, TikTok and more. The role is hands‑on and focuses on delivering strong results while building trusted client relationships. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team across creative, content and strategy, allowing you to deliver integrated campaigns.
This role is ideal for someone who:
* Is confident managing campaigns independently
* Enjoys working directly with clients
* Wants to deepen their strategic and commercial skills
* Is ready to step up in ownership, without needing formal line management experience
What you’ll do:
* Plan, launch and optimise paid media campaigns across key platforms including Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok and more
* Manage budgets with clear performance goals (ROAS, CPA, leads or revenue)
* Monitor performance and identify opportunities to scale and improve results
* Run A/B tests across creatives, audiences, copy and landing pages
* Set up and manage tracking (GA4, GTM, conversions) with support where needed
* Turn campaign data into clear, actionable insights for clients
* Lead regular client check‑ins to review performance and next steps
* Collaborate with creative and content teams to develop high‑performing campaigns
* Support new business opportunities with ideas and channel recommendations
* Share knowledge and support junior team members as you grow
Essential skills:
* Has around 2–4 years’ experience in paid media (agency or in‑house)
* Has managed campaigns across platforms like Google Ads and/or Meta
* Is confident working with data and understanding campaign performance
* Thinks commercially (not just in metrics, but in business impact)
* Communicates clearly and is comfortable speaking with clients
* Is organised and able to manage and optimise multiple campaigns and deadlines at once
* Is proactive and enjoys testing and improving performance
Benefits:
* 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
* Pension scheme
* Hybrid working – 2 days a week in our Exeter office
* Annual team building and agency retreats (Abroad and UK)
* 4.5 day working week options and flexi time
* Agency shutdown at Christmas
* Office socials and staff perks
As a B Corp agency, we balance profit with purpose, build long‑term partnerships and invest in your development as you grow your career in paid media. While we use the title Paid Media Specialist, similar roles are often called Marketing Specialist, Paid Media Manager, Paid Social Manager or PPC Manager elsewhere. Titles can vary, but what’s important to us is your ability to run campaigns confidently, think commercially and drive strong results for clients. This role requires an existing right to work in the UK.
#J-18808-Ljbffr