Head of Editorial Content - #2172497

Head of Editorial Content – 12-month FTC

Salary: £65,000 per annum, pro rata

Contract: 12-month maternity cover

Location: Leeds preferred; London considered

Working arrangement: Hybrid, with an expectation of three office days per week

Start: As soon as possible, with flexibility for notice periods, including a January start

Pivotal London is partnering with a leading media agency to hire a Head of Editorial Content for a 12-month maternity cover.

You’ll lead an established content team of approximately 30–35 people, overseeing editorial quality, client delivery, people development and resource planning. Working across a varied portfolio spanning technology, financial services and travel, you’ll provide senior support on key accounts and help develop opportunities across the wider agency network.

This role requires direct editorial and content expertise. You’ll need to assess the quality of work, understand why content may be underperforming or falling short of a client’s expectations, and guide the team towards a clear solution.

The opportunity

Reporting to the leader responsible for Editorial Content and Digital PR, you’ll oversee a structured team spanning Account Executives through to Group Account Directors, with direct management of senior account leaders.

Alongside keeping delivery running effectively, you’ll help nurture high-value accounts, support commercial performance and build relationships with partner agencies. There is scope to raise the profile of the content offering and introduce it to a broader client base.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead, motivate and develop the editorial content team, supporting senior managers and maintaining clear standards.
• Oversee editorial quality, processes and guidelines across accounts, including effective day-to-day use of AI.
• Act as a senior escalation point for content quality or delivery challenges, identifying issues and helping the team resolve them.
• Manage workflow and capacity planning, balancing competing priorities and identifying recruitment or freelance support needs.
• Provide strategic support on high-value and complex accounts, building strong client relationships.
• Work closely with the Head of Content Strategy and wider specialist teams to turn strategy into effective delivery.
• Support revenue performance through client retention, account growth, scopes, pricing and pitch activity.
• Oversee suppliers, utilisation and delivery efficiencies.
• Develop reporting and measurement to demonstrate content’s impact and ROI.
• Build relationships across the wider agency network, helping colleagues understand the content offering and identify opportunities.

What we’re looking for

• An agency background with substantial direct experience in editorial and content marketing.
• Strong editorial judgement, with the ability to review work critically and give clear, constructive direction.
• Experience leading teams and developing senior talent.
• Confidence overseeing multiple accounts, resolving delivery challenges and managing senior client relationships.
• Experience in resource planning, workflow management and commercial performance.
• A calm, practical approach to changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills and confidence representing a content offering to clients and internal stakeholders.
• An understanding of content strategy, measurement and the evolving use of AI in content workflows.

Relevant backgrounds could include Head of Content, Editorial Director or Content Director roles, with responsibility for both specialist delivery and team leadership.

Location and timing

Most of the team is based in Leeds and York, making Leeds the preferred location. London-based candidates will also be considered, with arrangements for spending time with the wider team to be discussed.

Candidates should plan for three office days per week, ideally including a Tuesday or Thursday.

The incumbent begins maternity leave in December. An earlier start would support a handover, but the agency can consider notice periods and a January start for the right person.

Interview process

An initial 45-minute conversation with the hiring manager, followed by a task exploring a content/account challenge and a team leadership scenario. Interviews can take place remotely.