To support continued growth, we are looking for a Head of Paid Digital to lead CNS Media's Paid Digital function at a strategic, operational, and commercial level. Reporting to the Digital Commercial Director, you will own the vision, direction, and performance of Paid Digital across the agency. You'll lead a high-performing team of paid media specialists across platforms including Google, Meta, Bing, YouTube, TikTok and emerging channels, while acting as a senior stakeholder for key clients and new business opportunities.
Overview
Location: Ideally commutable 3 days / week to Chesterfield or Manchester. Job type: Full time, permanent. 35 hours per week. Salary: £50k-£55k (depending on experience). Working model: In-office / Hybrid-remote. Benefits include: Employment Ownership Trust (EOT) tax-free company bonus scheme; flexible working; gym membership; regular team building events and socials; access to Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme. Career & Personal Development: Clear leadership progression opportunities; tailored learning and development programme; well-being programme.
About CNS
As one of the fastest growing regional agencies in the UK, CNS creates a collaborative, high-performance environment where people are empowered to learn, lead, and make a real difference. We have offices in Chesterfield, Manchester and Birmingham, with ambitions to expand further. We work with well-known national brands as well as regional clients, and we are a results-led agency. Our awards include Campaign Best Places to Work 2024, Highly Commended at The Drum Awards Marketing EMEA, Best Media Planning & Buying Agency (Large) at the 2023 UK Agency Awards, and Best Media Buying Agency (Global) at the 2024 Global Agency Awards. We are certified advertising partners with Google, Meta and Microsoft.
We are committed to attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce.
Role and Responsibilities
* Set and own the Paid Digital vision and roadmap aligned with CNS's wider commercial strategy.
* Lead, mentor, and develop the Paid Media team, including performance management, succession planning, and clear progression frameworks.
* Act as the senior strategic lead for Paid Digital across Google, Meta, Bing, TikTok, YouTube, and emerging platforms.
* Translate client business objectives into scalable, insight-led paid media strategies that drive growth and ROI.
* Accountable for departmental profitability in collaboration with the Digital Commercial Director.
* Report on departmental forecasting, utilisation, and resourcing.
* Play a key role in new business pitches, audits, and strategic upsell opportunities.
* Establish, refine, and enforce best-practice processes for planning, activation, optimisation, and reporting.
* Champion innovation by testing new platforms, betas, automation, and partnerships.
* Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across Digital, Client Services, and Commercial teams.
What Does Success Look Like?
* A high-performing, engaged Paid Digital team with strong leadership depth and clear development pathways.
* Consistently excellent performance across client accounts, aligned with commercial and strategic KPIs.
* Strong senior client relationships built on trust, insight, and demonstrable results.
* Clear commercial control across the Paid Digital function, balancing growth, efficiency, and profitability.
* Paid Digital recognised internally and externally as a market-leading capability within CNS.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
* 7+ years' experience in Paid Digital / Performance Marketing, with significant leadership responsibility.
* Proven experience leading senior paid media specialists and developing leadership capability within an agency environment.
* Deep expertise across Google Ads, Meta, Bing, YouTube, TikTok, and wider performance marketing trends.
* Strong commercial acumen with experience managing large budgets and department-level profitability.
* Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and senior stakeholder management skills.
* A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels of the business.
* Agency experience is essential.
CNS Media Ltd is committed to creating a workplace that promotes and celebrates diversity. We are dedicated to attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce, as diversity and uniqueness drive our creativity.
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