Croud
Paid Media Account Director
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Paid Media Account Director
Paid Media Account Director – Hybrid (3 Days in Office)
Croud – London, UK Salary: Benchmarked between £53,250 and £63,750 (progression and experience-dependent)
About Croud
Croud is a global full-service digital marketing agency, recognised for its innovative business model that drives sustainable growth in the new marketing landscape. We were named:
- Sunday Times Best Place to Work for 2024
- Performance Marketing Employer of the Year
At Croud, we unlock potential for our people, clients, and communities by fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and purpose. We operate as a network of Intelligent, Creative Specialists—strategically driving innovation to achieve better outcomes while remaining future-focused, inclusive, and impact-driven.
Our ambition is to build better brand outcomes through a shared long-term vision, deep industry insights, and a commitment to extensive personal development for every team member.
Role Overview
As the Paid Media Account Director, you will be a strategic leader responsible for:
- Driving commercial success and operational excellence across high-value client portfolios.
- Leading platform partners to architect future-fit, data-driven strategies.
- Cultivating a high-performance culture among direct reports and executives.
- Ensuring cross-channel effectiveness—connecting Paid Search, Social, and emerging mediums.
You will:
- Shape long-term commercial roadmaps aligned to client goals.
- Lead by example, balancing creativity and hard data for impact.
- Push back on distractions while protecting your team’s focus on high-value initiatives.
- Mentor and manage a diverse team of Specialist Account Managers, Managers, and Executives.
- Foster platform partnerships (Google, Meta, etc.) and industry leadership.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Architecture & Commercial Growth
- Lead high-value client strategy, ensuring roadmap initiatives drive measurable improvements in commercial outcomes.
- Develop cross-channel media blueprints, integrating Paid Search, Social, and other digital channels seamlessly.
- Proactively explore and pitch high-impact growth opportunities (upsells, cross-sells) with cross-departmental collaboration.
- Accurately forecast across client portfolios, considering market trends, seasonality, and tactical executions.
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2. Technical Innovation & Quality Control
- Define and champion benchmarks for excellence, ensuring your team operates at the forefront of industry tech.
- Solve technical challenges (e.g., cookie depreciation, iOS privacy shifts) via scalable strategies.
- Set bid models, campaign structures, and performance scaling frameworks for maximum efficiency.
- Drive automation adoption, fostering a "tech-first" mindset.
- Implement rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) standards to manage commercial risk.
3. Creative Strategy & Industry Influence
- Set standards for creative-led performance, blending data and artistry to influence decision-making.
- Partner with platforms at senior levels (Google, Meta) to secure early access to critical innovations.
- Identify and lead emerging channels, navigating industry shifts proactively.
4. Operational Leadership & Team Culture
- Manage workloads, priorities, and bandwidth to avoid seniority overload.
- Mentor and develop a range of senior team members, addressing conflict gracefully.
- Design systems to enhance operational efficiency and focus on profit-generating initiatives.
- Maintain top-line visibility of account activity to support internal teams and stakeholders effectively.
Key Skills & Experience Required
| Requirement | Essential |
|---|---|
| Education | Degree-level education OR equivalent experience. |
| Paid Media Expertise | In-depth experience in Paid Social AND/OR PPC advertising. |
| Analytical Thinking | Strong mathematical and analytical skillset required for forecasting. |
| Technical Innovation | Ability to navigate privacy tech risks and evolving platforms. |
| Microsoft Office Skills | Proficient in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (advanced competency recommended). |
| Communication & Leadership | Excellent inter-personal and presentation skills; proven in fast-paced consultative roles. |
| Strategic & Autonomous Mindset | Demonstrated capacity to identify opportunities, generate ideas and address risks. |
| Line Management | Extensive track record in mentoring, conflict resolution, and team scaling. |
| Client Expectation Management | Proven ability to align client objectives with commercial outcomes. |
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What We Offer
Workplace & Salary
- Hybrid model (3+ days in London office) + flexible homeworking.
- Competitive salary: £53,250–£63,750 (framework-aligned progression).
- Day-to-measure flexibility with standard hours (9am–5.30pm).
Wellbeing & Benefits
Once probation passes (3 months), employees qualify for:
- 25 days holiday (after 11); paid sabbatical at 7 years (unpaid option at 5 years).
- Annual discretionary compensation bonus and salary-scale commission.
- Recruitment referral bonus and 8% staff cost contribution to health benefits.
- Exclusive pension, medical cash plan, and life insurance for all staff.
- Category 1 parental and family leave (enhanced consultations).
- 2 "recharge days" per holiday year for work-life balance.
Technical support includes:
- Instant office upgrades (e.g., dual-screen setup).
- Rider-to-Work tax relief, Railcard discounts, and season ticket loans.
- Free wellness on-site: coffee, tea, snacks, fruit baskets.
Development & Culture
- Curated learning platforms (external vendors + proprietary Croud Campus).
- Peer-to-peer recognition scheme ("Bonusly") for outstanding contributions.
- Year-round socials, team offsites, and holiday celebrations.
- Transparent growth paths with regular performance reviews.
Croud’s Values: What Makes You a Fit?
- In it together: Collaborateʼs you thrive when outcomes align across teams and clients.
- Eye on the future: Futurism and curiosity fuel our culture; assume suburban edge nurtures bold growth.
- Generous in spirit: Develop others – coaching as often as selling.
- Do what you say: Transparency ensures trust. Integrity is the foundation for advancement.
- Make a difference: Purpose, impact, and legacy drive why we consider every effort.
Safeguards
Croud is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming candidates regardless of background. Assessment is merit-based and free from bias. Internal promotions are considered on merit, aligning with our open recruitment principles.
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