Head of Performance (Digital Marketing Agency)

Remote Choice; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 80 000 - 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent digital agency is seeking an experienced Head of Performance to own the performance marketing strategy across paid search, paid social, SEO, and analytics. This senior role requires a strong leader who can mentor a team, collaborate with client-facing leaders, and drive commercial results. Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in performance marketing with a proven track record in an agency environment, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style. This position is located in South Africa, Wes-Kaap.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in performance marketing with expertise in paid search, paid social, SEO, and analytics.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams in an agency environment.
• Strong consultancy-level strategic capability, hands-on when needed.

Responsibilities

• Own the agency's performance marketing strategy across paid media, SEO, and analytics.
• Lead and mentor a team of specialists in a diverse client portfolio.
• Ensure effective use of performance measurement tools and reporting standards.

Skills

Performance marketing expertise

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Strategic planning

Excellent communication

Commercial awareness

Tools

Google Analytics 4

Google Ads

Meta Ads Manager

Google Search Console

Job description

Performance Marketing Leadership Role | Agency Side | Confidential Client

A leading independent digital agency is seeking an experienced Head of Performance to take ownership of its performance marketing capability across paid search, paid social, SEO, and analytics. This is a senior, influential role combining strategic leadership with hands‑on expertise, ideal for someone who enjoys shaping performance propositions, leading specialist teams, and partnering closely with client‑facing leaders to deliver measurable commercial impact. Reporting directly into senior leadership, the successful candidate will act as the agency’s senior performance authority, setting standards, driving excellence, and ensuring integrated, outcome‑focused delivery across a diverse client portfolio.

The Role

Performance Strategy & Leadership

• Own and evolve the agency’s performance marketing strategy across paid media, SEO, and analytics.
• Define how performance is planned, delivered, measured, and optimised, ensuring all activity is commercially focused and results‑driven.
• Act as the senior internal performance consultant, supporting client teams with strategic thinking, channel planning, and performance frameworks aligned to client objectives.

Integrated Performance Delivery

• Oversee the development and execution of integrated, multi‑channel performance strategies.
• Ensure paid and organic activity works cohesively, with analytics embedded at the centre of planning and optimisation.
• Partner closely with senior client leads to ensure performance specialists are deployed at the right strategic level while maintaining executional excellence.

Data, Measurement & Insight

• Own performance measurement and reporting standards across the agency.
• Ensure consistent and effective use of tools such as Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, Google Search Console, and related platforms.
• Translate complex datasets into clear insights, narratives, and actionable recommendations that inform client decision‑making.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of specialists across paid search, paid social, SEO, and analytics.
• Set clear expectations, define career pathways, and identify training needs to raise overall team capability.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and commercial thinking across performance disciplines.

Client Services Enablement

• Act as a senior performance partner to client‑facing teams.
• Support audits, strategy reviews, and pitches with credible, senior‑level performance input.
• Enable client leads to confidently scope, sell, and position performance work that can be delivered to a high standard.

Quality Control & Technical Oversight

• Maintain oversight of performance output, stepping in to resolve complex challenges, underperformance, or technical issues where required.
• Ensure performance and SEO considerations are integrated into website builds, migrations, and major campaigns alongside technical and development partners.

Commercial & Business Growth

• Support new business efforts by shaping performance approaches and contributing to pitches.
• Identify opportunities to expand performance services within existing client relationships.
• Work with senior leadership to refine the performance proposition, pricing, and resourcing model to support scalable and profitable growth.

About You

• 7+ years’ experience in performance marketing, with strong expertise across paid search, paid social, SEO, and analytics.
• Agency background with a proven track record of building and leading high‑performing specialist teams.
• Strong strategic capability, comfortable operating at consultancy level while remaining hands‑on when needed.
• Advanced analytical skills and confidence working with GA4, Google Ads, Meta platforms, Search Console, and related tools.
• Excellent communicator, able to explain performance strategy, results, and trade‑offs to senior stakeholders.
• Commercially minded, with experience supporting revenue growth, managing resourcing, and delivering ROI.
• Collaborative leadership style, experienced working alongside client services, creative, and technical teams.
• Proactive and forward‑thinking, staying ahead of platform changes, AI developments, and emerging trends.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced agency environment with UK and international clients.