How do we show the salary? A Q&A with Helen Mulholland of Bind Media

Helen Mulholland is People & Culture Director at Bind Media, a performance marketing agency based in Bath. As a We Show the Salary accredited employer, Bind Media includes salary info on every job ad. We asked Helen to tell us more about why showing the salary is an important part of their approach to recruitment.

Why is being transparent about salaries on job ads important to Bind Media?

Transparency is one of Bind’s four core values, alongside being people-first, giving back and staying cutting-edge, so being open about pay feels like a natural part of how we recruit.

Salary is a big part of anyone’s decision to apply for a role. We don’t think candidates should have to spend time going through an application process before finding out whether the salary works for them. Being upfront helps people make an informed choice and builds trust from the very first interaction.

What approach do you take to showing salary information, and why does this work well for you?

Every advert includes a clear salary range and benefits outline. We also explain the responsibilities, expectations and level of the role, so candidates can understand what sits behind the figure.

Offer decisions are based on consistent criteria rather than someone’s previous salary or negotiating confidence.

Our salaries are informed by market benchmarking and our internal Bind Growth & Progression framework. That gives us enough flexibility to recognise different levels of experience, while ensuring our offer decisions are based on consistent criteria rather than someone’s previous salary or negotiating confidence.

How does including salary information on job ads help advance diversity, equity and inclusion across your business?

It gives everyone the same information from the start.

When salaries are hidden, people who are more confident negotiating or who already have access to salary information can be at an advantage. Publishing the salary removes some of that uncertainty and means candidates don’t have to know the 'right' questions to ask.

It won’t solve every diversity and inclusion challenge, but it creates a fairer starting point.

Has showing salaries on job ads had an impact on the organisational culture at Bind Media?

Yes, because being transparent externally also keeps us accountable internally.

We need to be able to explain how salaries are set, how roles are benchmarked and what progression looks like. That supports the work we already do through our two annual pay review cycles.

This also helps make conversations about pay feel more open and grounded in evidence.

Applying for a role takes time, and we think people should have the information they need before deciding to make that investment.

What impact does it have on your recruitment team and the people who apply for a role at Bind Media?

It helps everyone understand the expectations much earlier in the process. For our team, it reduces the risk of getting to the final stage with a great candidate and then discovering the salary doesn’t work for them. It also means conversations can focus more on the role, the work and whether Bind is the right fit.

For candidates, it gives them more control. Applying for a role takes time, and we think people should have the information they need before deciding to make that investment.

What advice would you give to employers who are not yet showing salary information on their job ads?

Start by asking what’s stopping you. Sometimes employers worry that publishing salaries will lead to difficult internal conversations. But those conversations may highlight inconsistencies that need to be addressed anyway.

Ultimately, showing the salary is about treating candidates with respect. It may require some work behind the scenes, but it leads to a fairer, clearer and more efficient recruitment process.

Make sure your salary ranges are based on reliable market data, clear role expectations and internal equity. They also need to be meaningful. A very broad range may technically count as transparency, but it doesn’t give candidates much useful information.

Ultimately, showing the salary is about treating candidates with respect. It may require some work behind the scenes, but it leads to a fairer, clearer and more efficient recruitment process.