Associate Director, Paid Social

London, hybrid

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Associate Director, Paid Social, you will serve as the strategic mastermind and operational anchor for our largest, enterprise-level account in London. You are a seasoned performance media leader who balances high-level strategic vision with deep technical expertise in performance social, measurement structures and paid social processes.

In this role, you will lead a dedicated team of Senior Managers and Managers, translating complex data and consumer journeys into high-yield, full-funnel paid social strategies. You will sit at the intersection of performance excellence, client leadership, and cross-channel growth - ensuring our client’s ‘family of apps’ stay ahead in a rapidly evolving, automated social landscape.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Strategic Leadership & Channel Growth

• Drive Full-Funnel Strategy: Own the overarching paid social roadmap for a global client, aligning social budgets and tactics with overarching business priorities.
• Master Platform Mechanics: Direct performance strategy across Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, and YouTube. Champion platform automation (e.g., Meta Advantage+ Shopping Campaigns / ASC+) while maintaining strategic controls over best practices and creative messaging.
• Measurement & Incrementality: Lead advanced measurement frameworks in partnership with data teams, implementing multiple complex single-cell, multi-cell, child and nested studies.
• Integrated Growth & Upsell: Collaborate with internal US counterparts to identify holistic growth levers, drive strategic upsells - to ensure that we are delivering a cohesive multi-channel strategy globally.

Client Governance & Senior Stakeholder Management

• Trusted Strategic Advisor: Serve as the primary senior strategist for executive-level client stakeholders, translating complex performance data and algorithm shifts into clear, compelling narratives.
• Escalation Authority: Act as the ultimate escalation point across your client portfolio, proactively mitigating performance dips, resolving channel conflicts, and navigating complex operational challenges.
• Budget Oversight & Forecasting: Maintain total accountability for multi-million-pound media budgets, accurate forecasting, quarterly pacing, and commercial delivery.

People Leadership, Delivery & Innovation

• Build & Mentor Talent: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of paid social managers and buyers. Drive retention, establish clear career development paths, and coach line managers on effective delegation and team leadership.
• Enforce & Evolve Standards: Implement robust QA frameworks, workflow processes (e.g., Asana, internal platform auditing), and campaign governance to ensure flawless execution and zero-error delivery.
• Test & Learn Culture: Build and scale a rigorous testing framework across the practice, leveraging platform innovation, previous learnings and testing priorities outlined in the strategic roadmap.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 7+ years of hands-on paid social planning & activation experience, with at least 3 years managing client relationships and leading direct reports/team structures of 10+ people.
• Expert-level knowledge of Meta Ads Manager (biggest priority), TikTok Ads Manager, Pinterest, Snapchat, and platform automation capabilities.
• Proven track record of setting, defending, and hitting strict KPIs. Fluent in advanced measurement, Excel, and analytics frameworks.
• A strong understanding of how Paid Social integrates with Search, Programmatic, CRO, and organic channels to drive holistic client growth.
• Dynamic, authentic, and polished presentation skills - confident in holding your own with marketing managers and C-level executives alike during any type of conversation.
• Demonstrated track-record of fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Located in the UK and available to work from either our offices in London. Will also need to travel to our client’s offices in London on a monthly basis.
• Full working proficiency in the English language.

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location);
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies;
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme;
• 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays);
• Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday;
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme;
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents;
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations;
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events;
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance;
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®;
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards;
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with big names and clients.

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.