SVP, Performance Marketing

Swell Media•St. Louis, MO

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a SVP of 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
Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Commercial Growth
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)
Performance Strategy (Ecommerce & Lead Gen Focus)
Architect and oversee full-funnel, audience-led strategies tailored to:
Ecommerce (feed-driven media, conversion rate optimization, LTV optimization, retention signals)
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
Channel & Platform Leadership
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
Data, Measurement & Martech
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
Team Leadership & Challenger Culture
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
Operational & Financial Leadership
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
Holding Company Integration
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

Recognition programs
Employee referral bonus
Hybrid work schedule; 2 days in the office, 3 days working from home
Fun and collaborative work environment
Casual dress code
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