Job Description

Vacancy No

VN2697

Location City

London

Location Country

United Kingdom

Job Title:

Paid Media Senior Lead

Job Grade:

L2

Department

: Marketing, 4creative & Communications

Location:

London

Reporting to:

Director, Media and Effectiveness

Responsible for:

Media Agency Partner, 1 x Direct Report

Works with:

Brand & Content Marketing, Streaming & Digital Marketing, Finance, Product & Growth, Commissioning & Content Strategy, Strategy & Insights

BACKGROUND:

Channel 4 is here to create change through entertainment. This means creating change in the wider world through all of our activities: from TV, to streaming, social media and film - and our day-to-day roles at Channel 4. It's the impact that we have on the UK. It's why we exist.



Our Fast Forward strategy builds upon our strong track record for digital innovation and will accelerate Channel 4's pivot to digital by driving both online viewing and new revenues. It's an ambitious and comprehensive plan to transform Channel 4 into a digital Public Service Broadcaster that retains its distinctive brand and public service impact. With a strong bias towards digital growth, Fast Forward will ensure that Channel 4 thrives in the digital age and continues to deliver for the creative industries, the economy and the wider public.



The Media team plays an integral role in the delivery of our purpose and the Fast Forward strategy. Alongside Marketing, the team are responsible for defining the media strategy to:
Drive Brand Fame and Consideration, Support new show launches and create the programme brands of the future Effectively and efficiently drive streaming views at scale

JOB PURPOSE:

The Paid Media Senior Lead is responsible for overseeing the effective delivery of the Channel 4 paid media strategy as defined by the Director, Media & Effectiveness. the Director, Brand and Content Marketing and Channel 4's media agency.

Together with the Director, Media & Effectiveness they are responsible for media agency management, including contract governance, performance and service monitoring.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Paid Media Lead role is specifically responsible for:
Overseeing Delivery of Paid Media Strategy - Channel 4's paid media activity falls under the categories of brand comms, bespoke show-led campaigns and always-on streaming platform promotion. While responsibility for individual media plans sits with the Marketing Heads and Leads, the Paid Media Lead is responsible for ensuring all plans ladder up to the annual media strategy, leading quarterly reviews with the media agency, Marketing and in-house 4Creative team. They will track the overall paid media budget, liaising with Finance to monitor accuracy of agency spend data. Measuring Paid Media Effectiveness - They will play a leading role in the Measuring Effectiveness workstream, working closely alongside the Martech Lead, Marketing Leads, Media Agency and C4 Insights team to drive our Effectiveness Programme and ensure all paid marketing activity is optimised for short and long-term brand and platform growth. Holistic Planning of Owned and Paid Media - working closely with the Owned Media Lead, this role will ensure that all paid campaigns are planned holistically with owned, taking a leading role in our streaming growth audience strategy and the role of paid media in reaching key viewer groups. Agency Management - The Paid Media Lead will support the Director, Media & Effectiveness in managing the media agency contract, responsible for day to day monitoring of service and performance and leading on media auditing and service reviews. They will actively keep abreast of latest media trends and regulatory developments and communicate regular updates. Working with the agency, they will lead on our media sustainability strategy, building understanding within the team and ensuring Media contributes to C4's sustainability goals. Contra Deal Management- Channel 4 has a number of contra deals in place and the Paid Media Lead will be responsible for the contracting, management and day to day delivery of contra media.

CONNECTIONS:

The Paid Media Lead will report into the Director, Media & Effectiveness and have one direct report. They will work closely with the Owned Media Lead, Heads of Marketing and the Marketing Leads as well as the 4Creative senior team, Media Agency and Channel 4 Insights. Across the business, the role will interact regularly with senior stakeholders from the following areas outside of Media, Marketing and 4Creative:- Legal; Sales; Comms; 4Studio; Strategy; Finance; Content Strategy & Planning

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

8+ years recent experience working in a media agency in a client leadership or cross-channel media planning role Well versed in current media industry landscape, with a strong understanding of agency structures and how to navigate multi-stakeholder environments Passion for media effectiveness and understanding of media measurement techniques and methodologies Proven ability to manage stakeholders and vendors effectively Strong communication skills with the story-telling abilities to share often complex narratives clearly and effectively by visual and verbal means Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across marketing and beyond, becoming a trusted paid media expert Demonstrate a strong awareness of commercial issues that face Channel 4 and its brand A basic understanding and literacy in data management across adtech/martech environments Confident and curious, with the ability to stay on top of a highly varied and broad workload whilst seeking out new opportunities to add value

Basic salary per annum starting from

77,219.00

Application questions to complete

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

Please outline how you meet the 'Essential Experience & Skills' outlined in the (Max 500 words)

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;




- Private medical insurance


- Free Virtual GP access for employees


- Free Female Health hormone test each year


- Free Tastecard membership


- Financial guidance 1-2-1's available each quarter


- Discounted Gym memberships


- Pension


- Life Assurance


- Income Protection


- Holiday Purchase

Hybrid working

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.


Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date

08 Feb 2026

Equal Opportunities

Channel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.




We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.




Disability Confident Scheme:


Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Care Leaver Friendly Employer:


Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Workplace Adjustments:


We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk