Director, Performance Marketing (Hands-On)

Swell Media • St. Louis, MO

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a SVP, Performance Marketing to lead and scale a high-impact performance team within our agency, Swell Media, part of the broader integrated media holding companies True Independent Holdings, and Meet The People. This role is built for a challenger-minded performance digital leader, someone who thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability environments and knows how to turn media into a true revenue engine. You will own a portfolio of ecommerce and lead generation clients, driving measurable growth through full-funnel strategy, advanced platform execution, and a relentless focus on efficiency (ROAS, CPA, LTV). Internally, you will lead, mentor, and scale teams. Externally, you will serve as a trusted partner to senior client stakeholders, shaping both strategy and business outcomes.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in performance marketing, with leadership roles in an agency environment
• Proven success scaling ecommerce and/or lead generation businesses through paid media and conversion optimization
• Deep expertise across paid media platforms, analytics, and marketing technology
• Mastery of advanced scripts, API integrations for automated bidding, and sophisticated CRM-to-platform data loops (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, and Offline Conversion Tracking at scale)
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex tracking and attribution discrepancies in a post-cookie landscape
• Femonstrated ability to manage high-growth client portfolios and drive measurable business outcomes
• Strong track record in new business, client growth, and senior stakeholder management
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience operating within or alongside integrated media organizations or holding companies preferred

Responsibilities

• Own performance outcomes across a portfolio of ecommerce and lead generation clients, with direct accountability to revenue, CAC/CPA, and ROAS targets
• Build senior-level client relationships, positioning the agency as a strategic growth partner, not just an executional vendor
• Lead new business pitches, RFP responses, and organic account growth, with a focus on expanding performance-driven services
• Identify and unlock growth opportunities across the broader holding company’s capabilities (brand, creative, analytics, CRM)
• Architect and oversee full-funnel, audience-led strategies tailored to: Ecommerce (feed-driven media, conversion rate optimization, LTV optimization, retention signals) and Lead Generation (funnel optimization, lead quality, offline conversion tracking, sales alignment)
• Ensure seamless integration between upper-funnel investment and lower-funnel efficiency, driving scalable, sustainable growth
• Push beyond platform defaults, developing differentiated approaches to audience strategy, creative, and bidding
• Serve as the ultimate technical escalation point for the agency, conducting rigorous audits on high-stakes accounts to identify and resolve performance plateaus
• Develop proprietary testing frameworks that push beyond standard A/B testing into sophisticated incrementality and lift studies
• Oversee execution across all core performance channels: Primary - paid search, paid social; Secondary - programmatic, affiliate, CTV, and emerging platforms
• Maintain deep expertise across key platforms: Google Ads (Search, YouTube, Performance Max, Shopping, Merchant Center), Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, and programmatic ecosystems
• Lead advanced capabilities across: Feed optimization and automation (critical for ecommerce scale), Creative testing frameworks and iteration velocity, Signal development, audience modeling, and incrementality
• Own the measurement framework and marketing technology ecosystem, including: GA4, Google Tag Manager, CRM integrations (e.g., HubSpot), Attribution models, incrementality testing, and offline conversion tracking, Reporting and visualization (e.g., Looker Studio)
• Build closed-loop measurement systems that connect media investment to revenue, pipeline, and customer value
• Drive a culture of testing, experimentation, and continuous optimization
• Build, lead, and mentor high-performing, performance-driven teams across levels
• Instill a challenger mindset, pushing teams to question platform best practices, test aggressively, and innovate beyond standard approaches
• Act as a player-coach, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on expertise where it matters
• Develop scalable frameworks, playbooks, and training to elevate team performance and consistency
• Oversee portfolio-level performance, including budget allocation, pacing, and forecasting
• Drive accountability to client KPIs, SLAs, and agency revenue/margin targets
• Partner with executive leadership on resource planning, staffing, and operational efficiency
• Build systems that enable scalable growth without sacrificing performance quality
• Collaborate across the broader media organization to deliver fully integrated, cross-channel strategies
• Act as a bridge between performance marketing and brand, creative, analytics, and investment teams
• Ensure performance media is fully aligned with brand strategy, creative direction, and broader media planning
• Help position the agency as a modern, performance-first leader within the holding company ecosystem

Benefits

• Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability)
• 401(k) retirement plan, with employer 4% match
• Work/life benefits, including mental health and wellbeing support
• Flexible Time Off Policy
• Paid holidays, including agency closing Christmas Eve-New Year's Day
• Paid leave options, including sick leave, medical leave for self and family, and parental leave
• Employee referral bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed