Wavemaker: Performance Director

About the role

This role leads the media performance function for a global media operating unit. The director is responsible for shaping integrated strategies and overseeing execution to meet marketing objectives for clients. Decisions are consistently driven by data, client goals, and media technology solutions to ensure alignment with business needs. The position requires a hands-on approach to managing complex media environments across offline and digital platforms. Success in this role is defined by the ability to translate strategic direction into measurable outcomes. The hire will act as a key thought leader in performance marketing within the organization. This role demands a high level of ownership and accountability for client results. The director will influence cross-functional teams to deliver innovative and effective media solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyze market data to guide channel selection and vendor negotiations, ensuring optimal campaign results and client satisfaction.

Set annual performance strategies designed to drive measurable business outcomes and achieve specific client objectives.

Apply offline analytical thinking approaches to strengthen planning rigor and improve overall strategic frameworks.

Manage digital implementation for search and social channels while guiding display and programmatic offerings to maximize efficiency.

Lead data consultancy and implementation for all client engagements to ensure insights are actionable and impactful.

Develop direct reports to achieve campaign implementation and optimization independently, fostering a high-performance team environment.

Monitor resourcing requirements collaboratively and lead hiring for media activation areas to support project delivery.

Coordinate analytics, ad operations, and insights teams to ensure day-to-day campaign delivery meets high standards of quality.

Provide secondary leadership on day-to-day relationship management alongside other directors to maintain strong client partnerships.

Pass on team learnings and implement development plans with KPIs and evaluations to build a skilled and knowledgeable team.

Requirements

10 years or more of integrated media experience, ideally from an agency background, with consideration for client-side or mixed experience to ensure a broad perspective. A strong grasp of offline, digital, and ecommerce media environments is required to navigate complex media landscapes effectively. Deep understanding of customer data platforms and advanced analytics solutions is necessary to leverage data for strategic decision-making. Experience managing search, social, and display from both technical and strategic perspectives is required to optimize multi-channel campaigns. Exposure to audience-led planning methodologies is required to ensure strategies are aligned with target audience behaviors. Proven people management experience leading a team is required to foster collaboration and drive performance. The ability to adapt to evolving consumer behaviors and marketing technology trends is required to remain competitive and innovative. A Bachelor's degree is required as a foundational element of the role's qualifications. The role demands a results-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes for clients. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential to manage stakeholders and guide team efforts successfully.

Practical notes

Typical interview steps

Marketing interviews often include a portfolio review, a campaign exercise, and analytics questions. Candidates may be asked to plan a launch, write a brief, or improve a funnel. Some loops include a presentation. Results from past campaigns carry the most weight. Interviewers ask about specific campaigns you ran and what the numbers said. Preparing a short case of one campaign with its results is strong preparation.

Good to know

Media roles in this sector rely on data-driven decision making and testing. Search, social, and display platforms are central tools for performance marketing. Strategy, analytics, and technology enable precise audience targeting. Cross-functional collaboration is common in media operating units. Continuous learning supports career development in media and advertising.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Marketing careers move from associate to manager, director, and VP levels. Specializations include growth, brand, product marketing, and content. Generalists often start, then specialize as they advance. Measured impact on pipeline and revenue drives progression. Marketing careers reward measurable results and adaptability. Channel experience plus business sense usually beats a general resume.