The posting
Company description We are the Human Experience Agency. We believe the growth opportunity lies in people. We understand and anticipate human desires to deliver media experiences of value. We call this PeoplePoweredGrowth! Focusing on both business outcomes and human outcomes is proven to deliver stronger growth for clients. PeoplePoweredGrowth identifies the intersection between what people want and what brands need, to create media experiences of value. PeoplePoweredGrowth orchestrates the right talent and capability to solve for clients’ unique business challenges through interconnected capability. PeoplePoweredGrowth embodies a way of thinking, working, and learning; challenging the status quo and always reaching for a better. It is a culture of never standing still. Starcom is a full service, global media agency with a presence in multiple markets around the world. We believe in the power of our network and work closely with our global colleagues to ensure that we are providing our clients with global best practice, localized for the South African market. Our clients include Mondelez, Haleon (GSK), Samsung, Stellantis, Sandoz, Kellogg’s to name a few. We are part of the Publicis network – the fastest growing global network. Overview Role Purpose To act as the central performance spine for Client, bridging MarTech, data, and execution across Business Units, ensuring consistent delivery of performance outcomes, governance, and best-in-class frameworks across the account. This role connects upstream strategy (CX, 1PD, GMP, UX) with downstream execution (BUlevel performance teams) to drive measurable business impact. Responsibilities Core Responsibilities 1. Central Client Leadership (Digital & MarTech) • Act as the primary performance lead for: • Digital marketing Managers • Martech & CX Leaders • Drive strategic conversations across: • GMP deployment • First-party data (1PD) utilisation • CX and UX optimisation • Translate MarTech investments into clear performance outcomes and measurement Frameworks 2. Performance Operating Model • Own and implement a unified performance framework across all Clients Business Units • Provide functional leadership to: • BU Performance Leads • Client Success / Ops roles • Ensure: • Standardised KPIs, reporting structures, and optimisation cycles • Alignment between planning, activation, and measurement 3. Integration: Strategy → Execution • Act as the bridge between central strategy and BU-level execution • Ensure: • Campaign strategies are performance-led from inception • Performance considerations are embedded into full-funnel planning • Work closely with Starcom Client Leads to: • Integrate performance thinking into overall campaign design • Elevate digital maturity across ATL + Digital ecosystems 4. Performance Governance & Reporting • Own centralised reporting architecture for client performance • Standardise: • Measurement frameworks • Reporting cadence (weekly / monthly / exec level) • KPI definitions across BUs • Drive continuous improvement loops: • Identify gaps → recommend interventions → track impact 5. Capability Building & Best Practice Deployment • Partner with Publicis Head of Performance to: • Bring global best practices into the Client environment • Adapt solutions to local market realities • Upskill teams across: • Performance strategy • Platform utilisation (GMP, data, CX tools) • Measurement and attribution 6. Starcom Share of Voice & Influence within client performance manadat • Strengthen Starcom’s positioning as a performance-first strategic partner • Build credibility with: o Digital o Martech o Business Unit stakeholders • Ensure Starcom leads: • Performance narrative • Innovation agenda • Data-driven decisioning Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Digital Marketing, Business, Commerce, Data/Analytics or a related field (Honours or postgraduate qualification advantageous) • Google Marketing Platform certifications (e.g. Google Ads, Display & Video 360, Search Ads 360, Campaign Manager 360, Google Analytics 4) advantageous • Additional platform certifications (e.g. Meta Blueprint, TikTok, Amazon Ads) or data/analytics coursework advantageous Experience • 3+ years’ experience in performance or digital marketing, with at least 3 years in a strategic or lead role within a media agency or comparable environment • Proven experience leading performance strategy across multiple Business Units, brands or markets, ideally on FMCG or large multi-category accounts • Hands-on experience with the Google Marketing Platform stack (DV360, SA360, CM360, GA4) and paid search, programmatic and paid social activation • Experience activating first-party data (1PD), including audience strategy, CRM/CDP integration and privacy-compliant data use (POPIA) • Strong background in measurement and attribution, including KPI framework design, incrementality testing, MMM/MTA principles and dashboarding (e.g. Looker Studio, Power BI) • Exposure to CX and UX optimisation, conversion rate optimisation and eCommerce performance • Track record of translating MarTech investments into measurable business outcomes and presenting insights at senior client and executive level Additional information Key Success Metrics • Improvement in performance KPIs (CPA, ROAS, conversion rates, lead quality) • 100% alignment of performance frameworks across BUs • Adoption and impact of GMP, 1PD, and CX initiatives • Reduction in execution gaps and delays • Increased client confidence in performance capability • Growth in Starcom’s influence across client stakeholders • Client Confidence Visible increase (qualitative + engagement)
