Head of Digital Strategy - #2106812

Walker and Sloan are proud to be working with a well known marketing agency in the Southwest as they are keen to bring on board a Head of Digital Strategy to the team on a full time basis.

Hybrid/remote model

£60k-£65k with an OTE of £80k

Head of Digital Strategy

Role Purpose:

The Head of Digital Strategy leads the agencies Media’s entire digital capability across Paid Search, Paid Social, Programmatic and Organic (SEO/content). As a member of the Media Senior Leadership Team, this role is responsible for strengthening digital performance, modernising how digital is delivered, and ensuring digital is a credible and commercially strong part of the Media proposition.

The role sets the standard for how digital is planned, executed and measured across the agency. It combines strategic leadership, performance accountability and team development to ensure our digital work consistently delivers measurable results for clients.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital Strategy & Performance Leadership

• Integrated Digital Strategy: Own and lead the performance strategy across all digital channels (search, social, programmatic, SEO), ensuring cohesive plans that align with client objectives and maximise ROI. Continuously refine strategies using data and insights to drive improvement.
• Campaign Oversight: Oversee and lead planning, execution, and optimisation of campaigns across paid media organic channels. Ensure each channel performs strongly and that programmatic and DCO (Dynamic Creative Optimisation) opportunities are fully leveraged to enhance campaign effectiveness.
• Performance Standards: Define clear “what great looks like” benchmarks for digital performance (CPA, ROAS, engagement, etc.), and ensure the team upholds these standards in all work. Be accountable for delivering and improving digital KPIs across client accounts.

Data, Measurement & Analytics

• Data-Driven Culture: Champion data and analytics integration in digital work. Implement measurement frameworks and standardised reporting to ensure we demonstrate the impact of digital activity.
• Analytics Co-Ownership: Co-own the agency’s data/measurement agenda (with a Data & Analytics Lead or Media Director). Ensure the digital team adopts new tools (e.g. advanced measurement platforms, dashboards) and applies insights to optimise campaigns. Focus on embedding robust tracking, attribution and measurement within day-to-day execution.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead & Mentor Team: Manage and inspire a multi-disciplinary digital team (PPC, social, programmatic), advising creative teams on asset formats, specifications, and best practice to drive performance. Set clear goals, provide feedback, and build capability through training and knowledge sharing.
• Capability Building: Strengthen the team’s expertise, particularly in areas such as programmatic trading, dynamic creative. Ensure each team member has confidence in our digital offering (including DCO) to effectively consult and deliver for clients.
• Resource Management: Align team resources with business needs. Oversee hiring and onboarding of digital talent (e.g., supporting new programmatic specialists) to fill skill gaps and meet future demands.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Senior Client Partner: Act as the lead digital expert in key client engagements and pitches. Present digital strategies and performance clearly to senior client stakeholders, building confidence in our approach.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with account directors, planners, creative and PR teams to ensure digital plans are integrated into overall campaigns. Collaborate with creative and tech teams– ensuring dynamic creative strategies are executed smoothly and deliver value.
• External Representation: Stay engaged with industry developments. Represent Golley Slater’s digital expertise externally and bring back insights on new trends, technologies (AI, automation, etc.), and regulatory changes to keep our offering competitive.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Innovation Agenda: Drive the digital team’s contribution to the agency’s innovation objectives. Identify and pilot new digital opportunities (e.g., testing new ad platforms, data, targeting, dynamic creative approaches, AI-driven tools and emerging formats), ensuring we test at least one new idea per quarter and scale successful initiatives.
• Process Improvement: Champion modern, efficient ways of working within the digital function. Implement process improvements and automation that free up senior talent for strategic work (reporting automation, improved use of collaboration tools, etc.).
• Quality & Best Practice: Ensure the digital function adheres to best practices (e.g., brand safety, data privacy, platform policies). Regularly review and refine our methods to deliver top-quality outputs efficiently.

Commercial & Business Growth Contribution

• Commercial Performance: Contribute to the overall Media department’s revenue and profit targets by maximising digital income and delivering campaigns efficiently. Manage digital budgets and resources to meet margin goals on client projects.
• New Business & Proposition: Support new business efforts by contributing digital expertise to pitches and proposals. Help articulate our digital proposition (including data/analytics strengths and innovative capabilities) to potential clients. Identify opportunities to expand digital services with existing clients where they can add value.

If interested please contact Lee Curry at Walker and Sloan