Paid Performance Manager in Manchester

• Paid Performance Manager
• Reporting to: Paid Performance Director
• Office location: Havas Market Manchester, No 3, Circle Square, Manchester M1 7FS
• About Havas Market

We are Havas Market, part of the Havas Media Network.

We believe in the fusion of commerce and performance to drive limitless performance.

We break down barriers between commerce and performance to build cohesive multichannel purchase experiences that powerfully combine tech and human flair.

Havas Market expertise spans four core specialist services: paid media (PPC, paid social, shopping international), owned (SEO, CRO, content, creative, localisation), commerce (Amazon, Marketplaces, Retail Media, social commerce) and earned (digital PR, social).

We help clients to: connect with the human behind the click – we harness human‑led planning and technology to create experiences that connect more deeply and drive superior digital performance; capture meaningful metrics that matter – we focus on meaningful results that drive business impact, not just superficial metrics; combine curious minds and powerful technology – we turn data into actionable insights, all powered and delivered by cutting‑edge technology, giving clients a competitive edge in the market.

The Role

As a Paid Performance Manager, you will be a performance specialist with extensive search management experience and client‑facing skills.

You will lead a portfolio of key accounts within Havas Market’s digital performance team, managing 1–2 Paid Performance Executives and overseeing campaign implementation, analysis, optimisation, delivery and evaluation across paid search and all relevant formats such as Performance Max, Demand Gen and potentially some app activity.

You will work alongside the Paid Performance Director to influence strategy, lead innovative solutions and support new‑business and PR opportunities.

The role requires strong communication skills, a proactive attitude and a hunger for success.

Key Responsibilities

• Be responsible and accountable for the creation and management of paid search campaigns to deliver client objectives and targets.
• Serve as a technical lead and point of authority on paid search, shopping, Performance Max, Demand Gen and app.
• Oversee and manage optimisation of campaigns using bid‑management tools to deliver ongoing paid performance.
• Drive best practice on clients and through the team, improving campaign delivery, innovation and automation.
• Develop and plan holistic paid performance strategies largely independently, with support from your line manager as needed.
• Oversee and execute optimisation of campaigns, both manual and automated, using all available tools and technologies.
• Develop a rich understanding of clients’ audiences and consumer journeys, delivering deeper insights.
• Help drive innovation and creative solutions, ensuring media firsts and beta participation where possible.
• Complete and manage monthly budget forecasting/planning in line with client objectives.
• Ensure timely delivery of all team reporting and analysis outputs.
• Independently manage personal development plans for all direct reports, setting SMART objectives.
• Ensure direct reports have timely appraisals and that these are logged into the Talent Space HR portal.
• Develop paid‑search expertise and technical knowledge of direct reports.
• Ensure direct reports maintain all basic technical requirements for Havas Performance, including qualifications and training.
• Provide regular support and advice to help direct reports progress.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team position in collaboration with the line manager.
• Oversee accurate and timely finance administration and budgeting.
• Work with the line manager to understand profitability for the client portfolio.
• Act as the main point of contact for clients for Paid Search, interpreting and communicating strategy or campaign data.
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with day‑to‑day client stakeholders.
• Manage client relationships to build respect and trust in your judgement.
• Lead client‑facing presentations on strategy, recommendations and results.
• Develop and maintain development plans, roadmaps and media plans, spearheading strategy and reporting across the portfolio.
• Understand client business and marketing objectives.
• Bridge relationships across the paid team, enabling close collaboration among all pods.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth across the client portfolio in partnership with the line manager.
• Contribute to new‑business efforts within Havas Market and the Network.
• Position yourself as a thought leader within the agency and industry.
• Take a vocal point of view on industry issues and drive agency positioning.
• Champion innovation and growth, driving creative search solutions.
• Design and implement test‑and‑learn programs that deliver on overarching client strategy.
• Lead digital innovation among the agency and clients.
• Work with the line manager to produce high‑quality case studies and pursue industry awards.
• Ensure media firsts and beta participation for clients.
• Reflect agency ambition and vision in all work, inspiring the team to meet the highest standards.
• Seek cross‑sell opportunities for other Havas Media Group services to drive commerciality.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• At least 3+ years of experience within a performance remit, ideally in an agency environment.
• Proven experience with enterprise‑level clients and large budgets (£1million+ in paid search).
• Extensive experience and certification in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Google Analytics and SA360, as well as other bid‑tech tools such as Pacvue and Skaii.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of competitor tools (Similar Web, Adthena, SEMRush, etc.).
• Excellent knowledge of industry tools and the latest technologies.
• Strong communication skills, able to interpret performance marketing to clients and manage expectations.
• Good numeracy skills, with strong knowledge of MSExcel.
• Passion for and wide understanding of all aspects of digital media.
• Desirable but not essential: experience in management.
• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to prioritise workload across direct reports.
• Excellent communicator – written and verbal, capable of confident presentation.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain thorough attention to detail.
• Equal Opportunity Employment

Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.

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