Performance Marketing Lead - Specialist Media Agency

Performance Marketing Lead - Specialist Media Agency

Full-Time 60750 - 74250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Realise Talent

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and evolve performance marketing strategies across digital channels.
  • Company: Dynamic media agency with a data-driven approach and creative flair.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team that values inclusivity and creativity.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of performance marketing in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in performance marketing and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.

A specialist media agency helping ambitious brands connect with audiences in meaningful ways through data-led media planning, buying and performance marketing. Part of a multi-award-winning integrated creative group, the agency combines the agility of a boutique with the expertise, creativity and commercial focus of a broader agency network - giving clients access to genuinely joined-up thinking across performance, creative, content and communications.

What sets them apart is their approach to data. Without a large in-house analytics team, they make smarter decisions through deep persona segmentation, AI-powered ICP modelling, incrementality and holdout testing, and a suite of dynamic personalisation tools. It's a rigorous, commercially-minded way of working that prioritises what's actually driving revenue over surface-level platform metrics.

With a strong pipeline of inbound work and clear ambitions to grow, they are now looking for a senior performance marketing leader to take the discipline to the next level.

This is an opportunity for a Performance Marketing Lead to own and evolve the agency's performance marketing offering across paid search, paid social and digital channels. Reporting into senior agency leadership, you will be responsible for designing and delivering best-in-class performance strategies for clients - hands-on in platform, as well as leading and mentoring the small but growing performance team around you.

This role demands someone who is technically sharp and strategically credible - someone who can translate data into commercial decisions, pivot when something isn't working and present confidently to clients without relying on vanity metrics. You'll be a farmer rather than a hunter: building deep, trusted client relationships and developing strategic solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.

The CEO leads on new business development. Your job is to make it happen and make it work.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of integrated performance marketing strategies across paid search, paid social, display, video and emerging digital channels.
  • Be hands-on in platform - actively managing and optimising campaigns across Meta, TikTok, Google and YouTube, not just overseeing others doing so.
  • Drive incrementality and holdout testing to understand true campaign impact and shape smarter media decisions.
  • Use data aggregation and attribution tools to move beyond platform metrics and focus on genuine commercial outcomes - ROAS, revenue and bottom-line impact.
  • Act as a trusted strategic advisor to clients, presenting recommendations with confidence and clarity.
  • Identify opportunities for account growth and lead the development of performance propositions for existing clients.
  • Lead, mentor and develop performance marketing talent within the team.
  • Collaborate with creative, planning and client services teams to deliver integrated, commercially effective solutions.
  • Contribute to new business pitches and agency growth initiatives.
  • Stay ahead of platform developments, emerging tools and industry trends - including AI-powered ad formats and dynamic personalisation capabilities.

Who Are You

  • A senior performance marketing professional, operating at senior manager, team lead, head of department or equivalent level - ideally agency-side.
  • Hands-on and active in platform - comfortable working directly in Meta, TikTok, Google Ad Manager and YouTube, not just leading others to do so.
  • A proven track record of designing and implementing performance strategies that drive measurable commercial results - you talk in ROAS and revenue, not clicks and impressions.
  • Experience pivoting strategies that weren't working - you can identify what's wrong, make the call and fix it.
  • Strong knowledge of incrementality testing, holdout methodologies and attribution frameworks - tools such as Polar, Triple Whale, Fosfer or similar would be a genuine advantage.
  • Familiar with GA4, Data Studio and performance aggregation platforms.
  • Commercially aware, with experience managing significant media budgets and translating spend into bottom-line impact.
  • A clear, confident communicator - client-ready, considered and credible without being a big-room schmoozer.
  • A team leader who develops people to think critically, not just to replicate your approach.
  • Entrepreneurial and hungry - excited by the opportunity to shape and grow a performance function within an ambitious, fast-moving agency.

Why Join?

  • A rare opportunity to own and shape a growing performance marketing function within a specialist, commercially-driven agency.
  • The backing and broader capabilities of a multi-award-winning creative group, without losing the agility and pace of a boutique.
  • A sophisticated, data-led approach to performance that goes well beyond standard paid media delivery.
  • High autonomy, strong senior visibility and the chance to make a meaningful mark on the agency's growth.
  • A genuine mix of performance, creative and content thinking - with direct access to studio and creative capabilities to amplify your work.
  • Strong inbound pipeline and a CEO who opens the doors - your job is to walk through them and deliver.

Salary: Up to £55,000

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value inclusivity and diversity, believing it creates a better working world. We love to see applicants from all different backgrounds and hire based on skills and potential, not solely on prior experience. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability, gender perception or identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you require any accessibility support, please let us know how we can improve your experience.

Performance Marketing Lead - Specialist Media Agency employer: Realise Talent

Join a fast-growing, award-winning sports marketing agency in Central London, where creativity and personal growth are at the forefront of our culture. As a Senior Social Media Manager, you'll lead innovative social strategies for renowned brands while enjoying a supportive environment that values inclusivity and diversity. With opportunities for career advancement and exciting sports experiences throughout the year, this is a place where your passion for brand marketing and culture can truly thrive.

Realise Talent

Contact Details:

Realise Talent Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Performance Marketing Lead - Specialist Media Agency

Show Your Creative Side

In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Realise Talent and show them what you can bring to the table.

Engage in Marketing Communities

Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Realise Talent are looking for.

Leverage Social Media

Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Realise Talent on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

Attend Industry Events

Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Realise Talent. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Performance Marketing Lead - Specialist Media Agency

Performance Marketing Strategy
Paid Search Management
Paid Social Management
Digital Channel Optimisation
Data Aggregation
Attribution Frameworks
Incrementality Testing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Realise Talent. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.

Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!

Demonstrate Your Understanding of Realise Talent:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Realise Talent’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Realise Talent

Showcase Your Creative Campaigns

Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Realise Talent will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.

Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out

If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.

Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

At Realise Talent, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing

As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.