Digital Performance Manager

Job description

Salary: £35,000–£45,000 Location: Leeds offices (Hybrid – Tuesday to Thursday in office) Reporting to: Digital Performance Director WHY JOIN PONDEROSA MEDIA Ponderosa Media is part of Audience Collective, a group of 140 specialists working with brands including Secret Escapes, BT, PizzaExpress, Amazon, Seiko and Kellogg’s. We combine creative thinking with performance precision to deliver campaigns that challenge the algorithm not just optimise it. Media talent join us to shape ideas early, influence strategy, and play an active role in pitching, new business and growth, not sit behind the scenes. Backed by the scale of Audience Collective and the autonomy of a specialist agency, Ponderosa Media offers real influence, visibility and the chance to help build what’s next. Through the Audience Collective, our clients access a full ecosystem of expertise to move faster, think smarter, and grow beyond expectations. THE ROLE As Digital Performance Manager at Ponderosa Media you’ll be responsible for developing, delivering, and optimising digital media campaigns across paid search, paid social, and programmatic channels. Working closely with client teams and channel specialists, you’ll ensure digital activity is insight‑led, performance‑driven, and aligned to client objectives. You’ll act as a trusted digital expert for clients and colleagues, balancing hands‑on campaign delivery with strategic input, performance accountability, and contribution to the evolution of Ponderosa Media’s digital offering. Own the performance. Shape the strategy. Deliver measurable impact. WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE • Digital campaigns consistently meet or exceed agreed KPIs • Clients trust Ponderosa Media’s digital recommendations and performance insight • Campaign planning and execution are accurate, timely, and best‑in‑class • Performance insight clearly informs optimisation and future strategy • Digital capability continues to evolve through innovation and learning KEY RESPONSIBILITIES DIGITAL CAMPAIGN PLANNING & DELIVERY • Collaborate with client teams to develop comprehensive digital media plans aligned to client objectives and budgets • Extract insight from historic performance, benchmarks, and audience data to forecast outcomes and define KPIs • Build and execute campaigns across platforms including Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, and other paid media channels • Apply channel best practice to campaign setup, targeting, creative formats, and optimisation approaches • Ensure campaigns are delivered accurately, on time, and to brief Objective: To deliver high‑quality digital campaigns that are strategically sound and performance‑driven. PERFORMANCE, OPTIMISATION & REPORTING • Monitor campaign performance and spend against agreed KPIs and budgets • Implement ongoing optimisation strategies to improve performance and efficiency • Produce clear, actionable insight and channel recommendations • Contribute to end‑of‑campaign reports and quarterly reviews • Present performance results and recommendations clearly and confidently to clients Objective: To translate performance data into insight that drives optimisation and continuous improvement. CLIENT & STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION • Act as the go‑to digital media expert for client teams and stakeholders • Participate in client meetings, providing confident and informed performance updates • Build strong, trusted relationships with clients through clear communication and expertise • Ensure digital activity aligns with client business goals, sector context, and challenges Objective: To build confidence in Ponderosa Media’s digital capability through strong client partnership and expertise. COMMERCIAL & OFFERING DEVELOPMENT • Support the development of Ponderosa Media’s paid media and digital offering • Proactively identify new channels, tools, or approaches that add value for clients • Support client teams in identifying revenue opportunities beyond planned campaigns • Apply commercial awareness to planning, performance, and recommendation‑making Objective: To support sustainable growth of Ponderosa Media’s digital capability and commercial performance. TEAM SUPPORT & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE • Support and guide Digital Executives or Specialists where applicable • Maintain high standards of accuracy, quality control, and documentation • Manage workload effectively across multiple campaigns and priorities • Contribute to efficient ways of working within the digital team Objective: To support a high‑performing digital function through strong organisation and quality control. FUTURE CAPABILITY & INNOVATION • Stay up to date with digital trends, platform developments, and best practice • Test and adopt new features, formats, and technologies where appropriate • Balance data‑driven decision‑making with creative and innovative approaches • Share learning and insight with the wider team Objective: To future‑proof Ponderosa Media’s digital capability through innovation, learning, and continuous improvement. EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS Essential • Proven experience in PPC, and paid social within an agency or in‑house role • Strong understanding of platforms including Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, and programmatic media • Strong analytical skills with the ability to extract insight from data • Excellent attention to detail and quality control • Confident communicator with strong client service skills • Commercial awareness and results‑focused mindset • Strong organisation, prioritisation, and project management skills Nice to have • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field • Experience supporting or mentoring junior team members WHAT WE OFFER • Hybrid working (Leeds office Tuesday–Thursday) • 25 days’ holiday + 3 celebration days • 37.5‑hour working week • Pension, life insurance and income protection • EAP and 24/7 virtual GP access YOUR FIRST 12 MONTHS AT Ponderosa Media Months 0–3: Foundations & confidence • Learn Ponderosa Media and Audience Collective ways of working and tools • Take ownership of existing digital campaigns under guidance • Build strong understanding of client objectives and performance expectations • Develop confidence in reporting, optimisation, and client communication Months 4–6: Ownership & optimisation • Own digital campaign planning, delivery, and optimisation across key accounts • Confidently manage budgets, performance, and KPI delivery • Present performance insight and recommendations to clients • Begin contributing ideas to improve digital strategy and delivery Months 7–12: Strategic impact • Demonstrate consistent performance improvement across campaigns • Influence planning and strategy through insight and expertise • Support development of junior team members • Contribute to evolution of Ponderosa Media’s digital offering and best practice PROGRESSION & CAPABILITY GROWTH Objective: The role demonstrates increasing strategic influence, performance ownership, and leadership capability over time. Key activities may include: • Taking ownership of larger or more complex digital budgets • Developing deeper expertise in specific platforms or channels • Contributing to agency‑wide digital strategy and proposition development • Supporting new business pitches and capability storytelling • Progression toward Senior Digital Performance Manager or Digital Director