- Job Title: Paid Social Media Specialist (Media Planner)
- Company: DEPT®
- Location: London, Manchester
- Job Type: On-site (Full-time)
- Category: Advertising & Marketing
- Date Posted: May 23, 2025
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing long-term paid social strategies and tactical plans.
- Planning, buying, and optimizing paid social media activity.
- Overseeing reporting and identifying new opportunities.
- Recommending and setting up measurement solutions for clients.
- Managing budgets for paid media deliverables.
- Ensuring constant innovation across all deliverables.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of paid social media platforms to drive successful campaigns and deliver ROI.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement paid social strategies and tactical plans.
- Plan, buy, and optimize paid social media activity across multiple platforms.
- Oversee campaign performance, analyze results, and provide data-driven insights.
- Recommend and set up measurement solutions to track and optimize campaigns.
- Manage campaign budgets and ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Collaborate with internal teams and clients to deliver outstanding work.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple campaigns and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field.
- Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in paid social media planning and execution.
- Required Skills:
- Fluent English communication skills (written and verbal).
- Advanced proficiency with ads platforms (e.g., Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads).
- Strong understanding of digital media and paid social media landscape.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel with a numeric mindset and strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and time management.
- Strong presentation skills and attention to detail.
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience with organic social media and brand partnerships ads.
- Familiarity with third-party measurement platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe, DCM).
- Experience managing complex campaigns and measurement solutions.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in paid social media and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (based on experience and location)
- Benefits:
- Health and wellness benefits (e.g., free bootcamp, yoga lessons, mental health services).
- Discounts on sport memberships and healthy lunches at the office.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Global annual DEPT® Cares Month for charity support.
- Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible working arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a paid social media specialist role in the UK.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Advertising & Marketing
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: 2015 (as a merger of several agencies)
- Company Description: DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for global brands. They are committed to making a positive impact on the planet and have been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified since 2021.
- Company Specialties: Digital Craftmanship, Campaigns, Social, Data-Driven Marketing, B2B Marketing, Digital Marketing, Creativity, Technology, Strategy, Digital, Brand, Advertising, Design, Data Intelligence, Organization, UX, Agency, Content, Digital Products, and AI.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-Senior level role with opportunities for growth and progression.
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Media Planning.
- Work Arrangement: On-site with flexible working arrangements.
- Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and mentor junior team members.
- Opportunities to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams.
- Internal training and development programs.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the company's global structure.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces in central London and Manchester.
- Office Location(s): London, Manchester
- Geographic Context: Both offices are located in vibrant, multicultural cities with excellent transport links and amenities.
- Work Schedule: Standard office hours with flexibility for remote work when needed.
ASSUMPTION: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration and creativity, with a focus on employee well-being and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Online application review → Phone/Video screen → In-person interview → Final decision.
- Key Assessment Areas: Technical skills (paid social media planning and execution), strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of successful paid social media campaigns you've managed.
- Research DEPT®'s clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of their business.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Paid social media platforms (e.g., Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads)
- Excel (advanced proficiency required)
- Third-party measurement platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe, DCM)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be comfortable learning and adapting to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Pioneering, Collaborative, Curious, and Ambitious.
- Work Style: Fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in paid social media?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage a complex campaign and measurement solution?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders to deliver outstanding work?
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® values candidates who are passionate about their work, curious about the industry, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple campaigns and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the paid social media landscape.
- Working in a dynamic, ever-changing environment that requires adaptability and resilience.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Paid Social Media Manager: This role focuses more on day-to-day campaign management, while the Media Planner role is more strategic and focuses on long-term planning and innovation.
- Media Planner (Traditional): Traditional media planning roles focus on offline channels (e.g., TV, print, radio), while this role focuses on paid social media channels.
- Digital Marketing Manager: This role is more holistic, covering all digital marketing channels, while the Media Planner role specializes in paid social media.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on paid social media strategy and innovation, requiring a deep understanding of the paid social media landscape and a strategic mindset.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a long-term paid social media strategy for a new client, including key tactical plans and budget allocation.
- Optimizing an underperforming paid social media campaign to improve ROI and drive better results.
- Setting up and implementing measurement solutions to track and optimize campaign performance.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and tactical aspects of the Media Planner role and the impact the role can have on campaign performance and client success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the wider media planning function?
- How does DEPT® support the professional development and growth of its media planning team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does DEPT® approach working with clients to understand their customers and develop effective paid social media strategies?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept/jobs/6916450).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of successful paid social media campaigns you've managed.
- Research DEPT®'s clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of their business.
- Follow up with the recruiter one week after submission to check the status of your application.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
