Senior Digital Design Manager – Paid Media (All Genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Digital Design Manager – Paid Media

Company: zooplus SE

Location: Madrid, Spain; Munich, Germany; Krakow, Poland; London, UK (Role is open across these locations)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations / Digital Marketing

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (60% Office, 40% Home Office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and optimize creative performance across all paid media channels, focusing on Meta, Google Ads, Affiliate, and App campaigns.

• Drive conceptual development and execution of creative assets, ensuring brand consistency while adapting to diverse platforms, audiences, and markets.

• Spearhead creative operations, including planning, prioritization, and structuring of projects to enhance efficiency and scalability.

• Leverage automation platforms, specifically Smartly.io, to build and maintain modular templates, manage feeds, and improve creative quality and efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with Paid Media, Brand, and cross-functional teams, providing clear direction and structured feedback to achieve performance-driven outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Digital Design Manager with a strong emphasis on Paid Media and Creative Operations. The core function involves bridging creative excellence with performance marketing objectives, requiring a structured and data-driven approach. The mention of "ownership," "anticipate needs," and "proactively drive improvements" indicates a leadership-oriented position with significant autonomy. The specific focus on Smartly.io suggests a need for expertise in ad tech automation for creative execution. The hybrid work model and multi-location aspect are key considerations for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end creative delivery for paid media campaigns across META, Google Ads, Affiliate, and App channels, ensuring consistent high quality from concept to execution.

• Drive conceptual development, translating brand goals and performance insights into scalable creative concepts and frameworks.

• Proactively define creative directions and solutions, acting as a key creative decision-maker to guide stakeholders.

• Execute and optimize creative assets through rigorous A/B testing and iteration based on detailed performance data analysis.

• Develop and maintain modular Figma templates specifically designed for automation logic within Smartly.io, including managing feeds and conditional rules.

• Streamline creative workflows by reducing complexity through simple, scalable processes and frameworks, ensuring clear and outcome-focused deliverables.

• Identify and implement opportunities for innovation, including AI-driven solutions and process improvements, to enhance creative efficiency and effectiveness.

• Collaborate with Paid Media, Brand, and other cross-functional teams, providing structured feedback and clear direction to ensure alignment and maximize campaign impact.

• Ensure brand consistency across all creative executions while adapting designs for various platforms, audiences, and regional markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative strategy and operational execution. The emphasis on "end-to-end delivery," "A/B testing," and "performance data analysis" points towards a results-oriented role within a performance marketing context. The explicit mention of Smartly.io and Figma templates indicates a requirement for hands-on technical proficiency in ad tech automation and design tooling for scalable creative production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in digital design, paid media creative, or creative operations roles.

• Proven track record of strong creative work specifically for performance marketing channels.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and optimizing paid media campaigns from a creative perspective.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for creating modular templates and design executions.

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite for asset creation and manipulation.

• Hands-on experience with Smartly.io or similar creative automation platforms for paid media.

• Strong understanding of paid media channels (META, Google Ads, Affiliate, App) and their creative requirements.

• Ability to translate performance data and insights into actionable creative strategies and optimizations.

• Excellent conceptual thinking and demonstrable execution quality, supported by a strong portfolio.

• Proficiency in planning, prioritizing, and structuring creative projects for efficient delivery.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with HTML5 ads and other performance-driven digital ad formats.

• Experience with data analysis tools to inform creative decisions and A/B testing strategies.

• Knowledge of AI tools and applications within creative production and optimization.

• Understanding of e-commerce specific creative needs and best practices.

• Familiarity with Google Sheets or similar tools for managing automation feeds and rules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative talent, technical ad tech skills (especially Smartly.io and Figma), and a strong performance marketing mindset. The portfolio requirement is critical, needing to showcase both conceptual depth and execution quality relevant to paid media. The "Ownership Traits" section implies a need for candidates who are proactive, resilient, and comfortable with ambiguity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating expertise in digital design for paid media, showcasing conceptual development, execution quality, and adaptability across different platforms and objectives.

• Case studies detailing how creative strategies were developed, implemented, and optimized based on performance data, highlighting A/B testing methodologies and results.

• Examples of creative assets designed for specific paid media channels (e.g., Meta, Google Ads), illustrating an understanding of platform nuances and best practices.

• Demonstration of experience with creative automation tools, ideally including examples of modular templates or automated workflows created in platforms like Smartly.io.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of structured creative workflows designed for paid media campaigns, emphasizing efficiency, scalability, and quality control.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating how complex creative processes were simplified and made more efficient, potentially through automation or process re-engineering.

• Demonstration of how performance insights are integrated into the creative development and optimization process, including methods for tracking and analyzing campaign effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are central to this role, needing to provide tangible proof of creative capability, performance marketing understanding, and automation proficiency. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their strategic thinking, execution process, and the impact of their work, particularly how it relates to driving performance and efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the Senior level, 5-10 years of experience, and the hybrid work model, a competitive salary range in the specified locations (Madrid, Munich, Krakow, London) would typically be:

  • Madrid: €50,000 - €75,000 annually
  • Munich: €60,000 - €85,000 annually
  • Krakow: PLN 180,000 - PLN 280,000 annually (approx. €40,000 - €63,000)
  • London: £55,000 - £80,000 annually

• Note: These are estimates based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in these regions and may vary based on specific candidate experience, qualifications, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working model (up to 40% Home Office per month).

• 28 Annual Vacation Days.

• Private Medical Health Insurance.

• Subsidised transport.

• Bike leasing options.

• 20% discount across all zooplus products.

• Significant development opportunities to shape career paths.

• Comprehensive training and support.

• Wellbeing offers.

Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimated based on the Senior level, the specified locations (with cost of living and market rate differences considered), and typical compensation for roles involving digital design, paid media, and creative operations. The extensive list of benefits indicates a strong employee value proposition, particularly the hybrid model and the product discount.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce (Pet Supplies)

Company Size: Large (zooplus SE is a significant player in the European pet e-commerce market, with employee counts often in the thousands).

Founded: 1999 (Over 25 years of experience, indicating stability and market maturity).

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a broader Marketing or Sales & Marketing department, possibly reporting into a Head of Paid Media, Head of Digital Marketing, or a Creative Director.

• Will involve close collaboration with Paid Media Specialists, Performance Marketers, Brand Managers, and potentially other designers or content creators.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with a strong emphasis on performance metrics and ROI.

• Agile or iterative approaches to campaign management and creative development are expected, facilitating quick adaptation to market changes and performance feedback.

• A focus on scalability and efficiency through automation and process optimization is a core operational philosophy.

Company Website: https://www.zooplus.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Zooplus's focus on pet e-commerce and its long history suggest a stable, established company with a strong market presence. The "power of plus" slogan and emphasis on collaboration indicate a positive and supportive work environment. The company's multinational presence (offices in Madrid, Krakow, Munich, London, Vienna) means the culture likely embraces diversity and international perspectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Managerial/Lead role within the creative and paid media function. This position is designed for an individual who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, drive strategy, and manage complex workflows.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report to a Director or VP level within Marketing or Digital. Direct reports are possible, especially if the team grows, but the immediate focus is on individual contribution and leadership through expertise.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts revenue by optimizing creative performance in paid media, which is a crucial driver of customer acquisition and sales in e-commerce. Improved creative effectiveness translates to better conversion rates, lower cost-per-acquisition (CPA), and higher return on ad spend (ROAS). The focus on automation and scalability also ensures that the marketing function can operate more efficiently and at a larger scale.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in paid media creative automation, advanced performance creative strategies, or e-commerce marketing.

• Leadership: Transition into a Head of Creative Operations or a broader Digital Marketing Leadership role, potentially managing larger teams or budgets.

• Cross-functional Expansion: Move into related areas such as Product Marketing, Performance Marketing Management, or Brand Strategy, leveraging a strong understanding of creative impact on business goals.

• International Mobility: Opportunities to lead creative efforts for different regions within zooplus's European market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step for a designer or creative operations professional looking to move into a more strategic and impactful position within a large e-commerce organization. The growth potential is tied to demonstrating leadership in creative performance, operational efficiency, and strategic contribution to marketing goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces designed to foster teamwork and innovation, while also supporting focused individual work. The hybrid model (60% office, 40% home) suggests a balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Madrid, Krakow, London, or Munich, offering candidates flexibility based on their location preference and proximity to a zooplus office. Specific office addresses are available for each location.

Workspace Context:

• Emphasis on collaborative environments where designers can work closely with performance marketers and brand teams to iterate on creative concepts rapidly.

• Access to the latest design tools and ad tech platforms (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Smartly.io) is implied.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week).

• The hybrid model offers flexibility in how the week is structured, with a designated portion of time expected in the office for collaborative activities and team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, indicating a modern approach to work-life balance and a trust in employees to manage their time effectively. The availability across multiple European cities is a significant advantage for candidates seeking relocation or local opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focusing on your background, experience in paid media creative, operational approach, and understanding of automation tools like Smartly.io. Expect questions about your approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A dedicated session where you will present a selection of your work, likely focusing on paid media campaigns you've managed or optimized. Be prepared to discuss your strategic thinking, creative process, problem-solving, and the measurable impact of your work (e.g., A/B testing results, ROAS improvements).

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential collaborators from Paid Media, Brand, or other relevant departments. This assesses your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and integrate creative with broader marketing objectives.

• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Marketing) to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best exemplify your skills in paid media creative, performance optimization, and automation. Prioritize projects with clear, measurable results.

• Storytelling: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the challenge, your creative process, the solutions you implemented (especially automation or A/B testing), and the quantifiable outcomes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize how you structured workflows, managed projects, simplified complexity, and leveraged automation to drive efficiency and scale.

• Data-Driven Insights: Be ready to discuss how you used performance data to inform creative decisions and iterate on designs. Showcase your understanding of key paid media metrics (CTR, CPA, ROAS).

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly explain your experience with Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and especially Smartly.io, demonstrating practical application.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential creative challenge or a problem-solving exercise related to optimizing a paid media campaign or designing a scalable creative solution.

• Think about how you would structure a response, what questions you would ask to clarify requirements, and how you would approach the problem logically and efficiently.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just creative skill but also operational rigor, strategic thinking, and collaborative ability. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate tangible impact and a structured approach to creative operations in performance marketing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for building modular, scalable design templates and for collaborative design workflows. Expect to demonstrate advanced proficiency.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects): Standard for high-quality asset creation, manipulation, and animation for digital ads.

• Smartly.io: Critical for creative automation in paid media. Expertise in building and managing automated creative setups, feeds, and conditional logic is a must.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager reporting, potentially BI tools like Tableau or Power BI) to interpret performance data and inform creative optimization.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a CRM role, understanding how creative assets integrate with campaign management systems and potentially CRM data for personalization is beneficial.

• Experience with feed management tools or Google Sheets for managing data feeds that power ad automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design tools (Figma, Adobe) and ad tech automation (Smartly.io). Proficiency in these specific tools is non-negotiable. The ability to leverage performance data is also key, suggesting familiarity with analytics reporting within ad platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong focus on achieving measurable results and optimizing campaigns for maximum ROI.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Commitment to streamlining processes, leveraging automation, and ensuring creative output can scale effectively with business growth.

• Collaboration: Openness to working closely with cross-functional teams, sharing insights, and collectively working towards common goals.

• Proactive Ownership: Taking initiative, anticipating needs, and driving solutions independently.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset geared towards learning, experimentation, and evolving strategies and processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated: Close working relationships with Paid Media, Brand, and other marketing functions to ensure creative aligns with campaign objectives and brand guidelines.

• Structured Communication: Clear, concise, and outcome-focused communication, whether in meetings, emails, or project documentation.

• Feedback-Oriented: Willingness to give and receive constructive feedback to enhance creative quality and campaign performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture likely values a blend of creative excellence and rigorous operational discipline. Success in this role depends on not only individual contribution but also the ability to integrate effectively within a performance-oriented marketing team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Performance: Continuously finding ways to create engaging, on-brand creative that also drives measurable performance metrics in highly competitive paid media landscapes.

• Scaling Creative Output: Developing and managing creative assets at scale across multiple platforms, audiences, and markets efficiently, especially under tight deadlines.

• Mastering Automation: Staying ahead of evolving automation capabilities within platforms like Smartly.io and integrating them effectively into daily workflows.

• Adapting to Platform Changes: Keeping pace with frequent updates and algorithm changes across major paid media platforms (Meta, Google) that impact creative best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Ad Tech: Becoming a true expert in creative automation platforms and their strategic application in performance marketing.

• Advanced Performance Creative: Developing specialized skills in data-driven creative testing, optimization techniques, and understanding consumer psychology for paid media.

• Leadership Skills: Enhancing strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and team leadership capabilities through exposure to senior-level decision-making.

• E-commerce Marketing Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the e-commerce sector and its unique marketing challenges and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a dynamic e-commerce environment. The focus on automation and performance marketing provides a clear path for specialization and advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a creative strategy for a new paid media campaign targeting [specific audience/product] on Meta, focusing on both brand consistency and performance metrics?"

• "Describe a time you used performance data to significantly optimize creative assets for a paid media campaign. What was your process, and what were the results?"

• "Walk me through your experience with creative automation platforms like Smartly.io. How have you used them to improve efficiency and scale creative output?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to zooplus and the pet e-commerce industry?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to zooplus's overall business objectives?"

• "Describe your preferred work style in a hybrid environment and how you ensure effective collaboration."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your career and what you'll present. For each project, state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (including process, tools used, and automation), and the quantifiable results.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements using metrics like CTR, CPA, ROAS, conversion rate improvements, or efficiency gains from automation.

• Demonstrate Operations: Explicitly point out how you structured workflows, managed complexity, and used tools for scalability.

• Tool Proficiency: When discussing Smartly.io or Figma, be specific about how you used features to achieve particular outcomes.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice delivering your presentation clearly and efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions that probe your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, hands-on technical skills (especially with Smartly.io), and your capacity for operational excellence. The portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to showcase your expertise and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Digital Design Manager – Paid Media position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Smart Recruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant paid media creative, performance optimization, and creative operations case studies. Highlight your experience with Smartly.io and Figma.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in digital design, paid media, creative operations, and automation, using keywords from the job description and emphasizing quantifiable achievements.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, prepare specific examples for strategy and problem-solving questions, and rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on impact and operational rigor.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with zooplus's brand, market position, and values. Understand their e-commerce model and how creative performance directly contributes to their business success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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