<p><strong>Associate Director, Paid Social</strong></p> <p>London, hybrid</p> <p> </p> <p><em>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.<br><br></em></p> <p><strong>JOB PURPOSE</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>WHAT YOU’LL DO</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Strategic Leadership & Channel Growth</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong>Drive Full-Funnel Strategy:</strong> Own the overarching paid social roadmap for a global client, aligning social budgets and tactics with overarching business priorities.</li> <li><strong>Master Platform Mechanics:</strong> 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.</li> <li><strong>Measurement & Incrementality:</strong> Lead advanced measurement frameworks in partnership with data teams, implementing multiple complex single-cell, multi-cell, child and nested studies. </li> <li><strong>Integrated Growth & Upsell:</strong> 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.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Client Governance & Senior Stakeholder Management</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong>Trusted Strategic Advisor:</strong> Serve as the primary senior strategist for executive-level client stakeholders, translating complex performance data and algorithm shifts into clear, compelling narratives.</li> <li><strong>Escalation Authority:</strong> Act as the ultimate escalation point across your client portfolio, proactively mitigating performance dips, resolving channel conflicts, and navigating complex operational challenges.</li> <li><strong>Budget Oversight & Forecasting:</strong> Maintain total accountability for multi-million-pound media budgets, accurate forecasting, quarterly pacing, and commercial delivery.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>People Leadership, Delivery & Innovation</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong>Build & Mentor Talent:</strong> 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.</li> <li><strong>Enforce & Evolve Standards:</strong> Implement robust QA frameworks, workflow processes (e.g., Asana, internal platform auditing), and campaign governance to ensure flawless execution and zero-error delivery.</li> <li><strong>Test & Learn Culture:</strong> Build and scale a rigorous testing framework across the practice, leveraging platform innovation, previous learnings and testing priorities outlined in the strategic roadmap. </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>WHAT YOU BRING</strong></h3> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>Expert-level knowledge of Meta Ads Manager (biggest priority), TikTok Ads Manager, Pinterest, Snapchat, and platform automation capabilities.</li> <li>Proven track record of setting, defending, and hitting strict KPIs. Fluent in advanced measurement, Excel, and analytics frameworks.</li> <li>A strong understanding of how Paid Social integrates with Search, Programmatic, CRO, and organic channels to drive holistic client growth.</li> <li>Dynamic, authentic, and polished presentation skills - confident in holding your own with marketing managers and C-level executives alike during any type of conversation. </li> <li>Demonstrated track-record of fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.</li> <li>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. </li> <li>Full working proficiency in the English language.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>WE OFFER</strong></p> <ul> <li>A flexible,