Senior Performance Manager

The Candidate; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

City-centre Manchester base

Senior role with strategic influence

Freedom to innovate

Job summary

Candidate Ltd, a Manchester-based agency, is seeking a Senior Performance Manager to lead data-driven paid search and paid social strategies for key clients. You will contribute to client strategy, mentor junior team members, and bring fresh thinking to help the offering stand out.

Reporting to the Head of Media, you will lead campaigns across Google Ads, Meta and TikTok, drive ROI, and participate in client presentations and pitches from our city-centre Manchester base.

Qualifications

• Experience managing paid search campaigns on Google Ads.
• Experience managing paid social campaigns on Meta and TikTok.
• Strong analytical ability with data-driven decision making.
• Experience mentoring or developing junior team members.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver paid search and paid social strategies aligned to client goals.
• Plan, launch and optimise campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, TikTok and emerging channels.
• Monitor performance against KPIs and recommend tests and new initiatives.
• Produce clear reporting and post-campaign analysis for stakeholders.
• Lead weekly performance calls with clients.
• Line manage and upskill junior team members.
• Identify growth opportunities and contribute to client pitches and proposals.

Skills

Paid search management

Paid social management

Analytical mindset

Mentoring juniors

Client presentation

Creativity in marketing

Job description

The opportunity

Our client is a Manchester agency building a market-leading performance marketing offering. They already have an impressive client portfolio and big ambitions to win more brands that suit their personality and approach. They’re now looking for a Senior Performance Manager to join their performance team, delivering high-impact, data-driven results for key clients and helping shape the future of the offering.

Reporting to the Head of Media, you'll be a senior voice in the team. You'll contribute to client strategy, mentor junior team members and bring fresh, creative thinking that helps the agency stand out.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver paid search and paid social strategies aligned to client goals
• Plan, launch and optimise campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, TikTok and emerging channels
• Monitor and improve performance against KPIs such as ROI, CTR and CPL, recommending tests and new initiatives
• Produce clear, actionable reporting and post-campaign analysis for internal and client stakeholders
• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients, leading weekly performance calls
• Work with the wider digital team and media partners on supplementary activity, including YouTube and Display
• Identify growth opportunities and contribute to client presentations, proposals and pitches
• Explore new tools, technologies and approaches to keep the offering ahead of the market
• Line manage, mentor and upskill junior team members

About you

• Proven experience managing paid search and paid social campaigns across Google Ads, Meta and TikTok
• A strong analytical mindset, able to interpret complex data and turn it into clear recommendations
• Experience mentoring or developing junior team members
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with confidence presenting to clients
• A creative problem-solver who enjoys testing new ideas
• Up-to-date knowledge of digital marketing trends, tools and techniques, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

What's on offer

• Salary of c.£55,000
• A senior role with real influence over strategy and how the performance offering develops
• The freedom to innovate and try new approaches
• A city-centre Manchester base