Performance Marketing Manager (Paid Media) | 6 Month Contract
At a Glance
- Manager level paid media and performance marketing contract
- Google Ads, Meta, YouTube and emerging channels including AI search advertising
- London, hybrid
- Up to £300 per day, inside IR35, with a 4 day week option that may support a higher daily rate
- Initial 6 months with strong extension potential and visible ownership of a large paid media operation
About the Company
Our client is one of the world's leading payments businesses, helping hundreds of thousands of merchants take card, online and point of sale payments. Its UK and Ireland SMB marketing function supports everyone from sole traders and independent restaurants to multi site businesses with several hundred employees. Several well known payment brands are now coming together under one group, creating a busy, fast moving environment with real scope to shape how marketing runs.
The Role
This is a chance to take ownership of a paid media operation spending around £500k a month across three brands. You'll sit at the centre of the UK and Ireland SMB marketing team, directing three external agencies and acting as the go to contact for marketing, sales and marketing technology colleagues. The role is more about steering, challenging and checking than hands on campaign building, so you'll need to know the platforms well enough to step in when something isn't right. It suits someone who is organised, works confidently without close supervision and has a sharp eye for detail.
Key Responsibilities
- Own paid media performance across Google Ads, Meta, Instagram, YouTube and other channels
- Direct and challenge three external agencies to deliver against lead generation targets
- Act as the link between internal stakeholders, sales teams and agencies
- Monitor lead volumes, conversion and campaign data to spot changes early
- Investigate tracking discrepancies, configuration issues and performance dips
- Check campaign set up, assets, UTMs and URLs before anything goes live
- Coordinate activity across three brands with different processes and martech platforms
- Explore new channels including TikTok, affiliates, influencers and ChatGPT advertising
- Support AEO and AI search initiatives alongside the SEO lead
What You'll Need
Essential:
- 4+ years of paid media or performance marketing experience
- A strong track record of optimising lead generation or acquisition campaigns
- Hands on knowledge of Google Ads and Meta
- Experience managing external agencies, or working agency side with multiple clients
- Excellent stakeholder management and the confidence to work independently
- Strong analytical and Excel skills, with a meticulous approach to tracking and set up
- Right to work in the UK and ability to attend the London office as required
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Salesforce or Marketo experience
- Exposure to AEO, GEO or AI search advertising
- Payments, fintech or fast moving B2C experience
Why Apply?
- Up to £300 per day, inside IR35
- Possible 4 day week, which may support a higher daily rate
- Initial 6 month contract with strong extension potential
- Hybrid working from London
- Real ownership of a £500k a month paid media operation across three brands
- Exposure to a major marketing transformation inside a global payments group
- A great first contract for experienced permanent marketers ready to make the move
Next Steps
Interested? Send your CV to Aaron Somers at or connect with Aaron on LinkedIn for a confidential chat.
