Head of Performance and Paid Media

Searchability; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Searchability, an Australia-based full-service agency, seeks a strategic leader to drive performance across paid search, paid social and display. You will head a 30+ person media team and own its growth, innovation and impact on client outcomes.

You'll champion automation, machine learning and data-driven decision making, setting strategic direction while managing revenue targets, EBITDA contribution and resourcing at the department level.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in paid media roles across search, social and performance channels.
• Agency experience is non negotiable.
• Experience managing a team of 10+.
• Search and Social experience are non negotiable.
• Must have full Australian working rights.
• Up to $180K DOE.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction and drive performance for a 30+ person media team.
• Lead paid search, paid social, display and broader media initiatives.
• Own department revenue, EBITDA and resource planning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Champion automation and AI-led processes for efficiency.

Skills

Paid media leadership

Team leadership

Analytics & forecasting

Automation & AI

Paid search

Paid social

Display advertising

Agency experience

Tools

Google Ads

Meta Ads

Display & programmatic platforms

Analytics tools

Job description

• Must have full Australian working rights
• 10+ years' experience in performance - search, social and programmatic is ideal
• Search and Social experience are non negotiable
• Agency experience is non negotiable
• Experience managing a team of 10+
• Up to $180K DOE

WHO WE ARE

We're partnering with one of Australia's fastest growing full-service agencies, delivering truly integrated marketing solutions across brand, creative, customer experience, and media.

Our client works with a portfolio of ambitious, well-known brands across retail, eCommerce and lead generation sectors, helping them grow faster through creative ideas, data-led strategy and media innovation.

THE ROLE

You will be responsible for the strategic direction, innovation and performance of a 30+ person media team that is expected to continue growing, working across paid search, paid social, display and wider media.

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic vision with commercial ownership. You'll bring together the art and science of marketing, driving measurable business growth for clients through intelligent strategy, creative integration, and the smart use of technology and data.

As a key member of the agency's leadership team, you'll shape the approach to media across the business, championing automation, machine learning and AI-led processes to drive efficiency and impact. You'll also own the department's revenue and growth targets, manage EBITDA contribution, and oversee resourcing at both client and department level.

You will work closely with Paid Media Directors, strategic leads across Paid Search, Social and Display, and Creative, Data and Client Services teams to deliver connected performance across the full customer journey.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 10+ years in paid media roles with deep expertise across paid search, social, and broader performance channels
• Proven track record leading large teams and multi-sector client portfolios
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen with fluency in analytics, attribution and forecasting
• Demonstrated experience driving innovation through automation and data
• Hands-on understanding of ad platforms (Google, Meta, etc.) and retail or lead-gen ecosystems
• Strategic and hands-on, equally confident setting direction and diving into detail when needed
• Highly organised and accountable, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership presence, mentors senior directors and builds a culture of curiosity and collaboration