Performance Marketing Director

Whalen Search Group; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Whalen Search Group seeks a data‑driven Performance Marketing Director to lead paid acquisition across digital channels. You will own strategy, execution, and optimization to drive revenue growth and maximize ROAS in a high-consideration automotive DTC environment.

You will lead a distributed team of Paid Media Managers, translate strategy into divisional execution, and manage multi‑million‑dollar budgets while fostering rigorous testing and attribution accuracy.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in performance marketing, growth marketing, or digital media buying
• 3–5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and large-scale campaigns
• Experience managing annual budgets of $5M+
• Proficient in Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, DSPs
• Background in eCommerce, DTC, automotive, or high-consideration goods preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale paid acquisition across all digital channels
• Own strategy, execution, and optimization of performance campaigns
• Manage a distributed team of Paid Media Managers and specialists
• Translate high-level strategy into divisional execution and optimize ROAS

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Testing & optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or related field

Tools

Google Ads

Meta Ads Manager

TikTok Ads

DSPs

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Amazon

Job description

We are looking for a data-driven Performance Marketing Director to lead and scale paid acquisition efforts across all digital channels. Reporting to COE leadership and partnering closely with Divisional Marketing Directors, you will own the strategy, execution, and optimization of performance marketing campaigns — driving measurable revenue growth while maximizing return on ad spend (ROAS) in a high-consideration automotive DTC environment.

You will lead a distributed team of Paid Media Managers and specialists across divisions, translate high-level strategy into divisional execution, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and foster a culture of rigorous testing, attribution accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Analytics, or a related field preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years in performance marketing, growth marketing, or digital media buying, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role managing teams and large-scale campaigns.


• Proven experience managing annual budgets of $5M+ with consistent delivery against growth and efficiency targets.


• Hands‑on expertise with major platforms: Google Ads (Search, Shopping, YouTube), Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, programmatic DSPs, and at least one additional channel (LinkedIn, Pinterest, Amazon).


• Experience in eCommerce, DTC, automotive, or high-consideration consumer goods strongly preferred.