Performance Marketing Manager - Paid Media

Woodruff - Full Time

Kansas City, Mo | Columbia, Mo | Remote Flexible

Description

The performance marketing manager — paid media is responsible for leveraging digital and traditional media channels to deliver scalable revenue-driving and customer-growth strategies for our clients. This individual will be accountable for strategy development, execution, optimization and performance reporting for paid media initiatives. Blending strategic thinking and hands-on execution, they will manage paid media budgets, oversee the full media mix — including digital (search, social, display, video, programmatic, e-commerce, CTV, native, retail media networks) and traditional channels (print, radio, OOH, broadcast, sponsorships) — and ensure that all plans align with our clients’ business goals to deliver quantifiable outcomes such as customer acquisition, lead generation, revenue growth and more.

In addition to strategy development and ongoing management of campaigns, this role will oversee relationships with external media freelancers, agencies and third-party vendors, ensuring high-quality work and accountability to performance metrics. This role requires a balance of strategic leadership, analytical rigor and cross-functional collaboration to deliver integrated media programs that drive results. They will actively shape our paid media offerings, serving as the subject matter expert for internal and external collaborators. Experience with pet, animal health and agriculture clients is preferred.

This person could be located in the Kansas City, MO, office; Columbia, MO, office; or remote.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop, recommend and lead integrated paid media strategies (digital and traditional) that align with business objectives and drive measurable growth in customer acquisition, brand awareness and revenue.
- Conduct audience research to ensure messaging and targeting strategies effectively reach and engage the right people.
- Present strategies, plans and performance reports to internal and external stakeholders, clearly communicating rationale and outcomes.
- Plan, execute and optimize campaigns across digital channels (Google, Bing, Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, StackAdapt, AdAptive and other social, search, display and programmatic platforms) and traditional channels (broadcast, print, radio, OOH, sponsorships).
- Own the paid media budget to deliver against ROI and KPI targets, ensuring effective pacing and allocation across channels.
- Oversee relationships with media agencies, freelancers and other third-party partners; provide clear direction, hold partners accountable and ensure alignment with business goals.
- Manage day-to-day media operations, including campaign optimization, pacing, targeting refinements, vendor communications and budget reconciliation.
- Partner with internal teams (such as account service, strategy, creative, e-commerce, web, social, public relations) to ensure paid media efforts integrate seamlessly with broader marketing and business initiatives and all deliverables meet best practices and technical specifications.
- Collaborate with creative teams to provide education and guidance on media platforms and placements — not only sharing specs but also helping teams understand the opportunities and storytelling potential each placement offers.
- Establish and regularly monitor key KPIs to analyze campaign performance across all media types and platforms, providing actionable insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Pull, synthesize and analyze data from multiple sources — including native media platforms, Google Analytics, e-commerce platforms and CRM systems — to deliver full-funnel data storytelling that connects media performance to business impact; shape insights into clear, compelling presentations that engage and inform stakeholders.
- Gather insights from owned and competitor channels, search and social trends and audience research to inform performance marketing strategy.
- Lead ongoing testing strategies to refine targeting, messaging, creative, placements and spend allocation across channels.
- Stay abreast of trends and innovation across both digital and traditional media landscapes, identifying new opportunities to ensure the organization remains competitive.
- Demonstrate strong communication and problem-solving skills, proactively identifying issues, potential risks or roadblocks early, then informing key stakeholders and implementing solutions.

Knowledge and Skills:
- Deep expertise in paid media platforms and tools, including but not limited to Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Chewy, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit, X, YouTube and more.
- Strong proficiency with tools and technology for planning, serving, tracking, managing and analyzing ad campaigns, such as Google Campaign Manager, Google Tag Manager and GA4.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into strategic insights and recommendations.
- Experience balancing creative and analytical thinking in campaign planning and execution.
- Proven track record of managing large-scale paid media budgets and delivering ROI.
- Demonstrated experience executing high-impact campaigns that drive measurable outcomes (lead generation, customer acquisition, etc.).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Effective communicator with the ability to present complex projects clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
- Entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset with a proactive, results-oriented approach.
- Collaborative and curious, always eager to field questions and explain the reasoning behind strategies and decisions to grow others’ understanding of media principles.

Leader Behaviors:
- Open-minded and active listener
- Continually grows people and business
- Truthful and transparent
- Decisive and accountable
- Forward-thinking
- Proactive and communicates in a positive manner

Education/Experience/Certification(s):
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, journalism or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- 4–6+ years of experience in digital marketing with a focus on paid media, preferably in e-commerce, retail or B2B sectors
- Platform certifications in search (Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising), social (Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat), retail media or e-commerce (Amazon), programmatic display or video (Google Display & Video 360, Amazon DSP) and analytics (Google Analytics)
- Preferred experience with pet, animal health and ag clients

Woodruff’s Perks That Support Growth and Flexibility:
We offer a range of benefits designed to support your work-life balance and empower you to stay creative, curious and courageous:
- Flexible work setup – Choose remote work, or join us in our Kansas City or Columbia, MO offices
- "Freedom Fridays" – No meetings on Friday mornings / Friday afternoons to use as you see fit
- Diverse, meaningful work – Contribute to projects across a wide range of industries
- Collaborative, growth-focused culture – Work with a supportive team that helps you build new skills
- And more – From wellness support to peer recognition, we value and invest in our people.