Performance Media Specialist

Job Title: Performance Media Specialist
Company: WPP Media South Africa
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Reports To: Biddable Lead

Role Summary and Impact
A Performance Media Specialist is responsible for managing the optimisation and reporting of paid search campaigns, ensuring exceptional results for performance-minded clients across Google Ads, Display, DV360, SEO, Facebook, and other relevant performance media platforms.

Key responsibilities (including however not restricted to)
•    Managing the strategy, implementation, and optimisation of Google SEM campaigns and broader performance campaigns across major platforms.
•    Implementing and optimising end-to-end Google campaigns across major platforms such as Google Ads, Display and DV360, while keeping up to date with changes to these platforms.
•    Having an in-depth understanding of ad formats and targeting options across major platforms and using them to achieve client objectives.
•    Attending and presenting at client meetings where needed.
•    Training and up-skilling the team members in Google SEM management.
•    Effective management of the optimisation team to deliver the best results across various digital media and analytics platforms with a specific focus on performance media.
•    Assisting with the creation of reporting templates and optimisation schedules for the team to use on a daily basis to ensure the standard of work is exceptional.
•    Working with the head of department to introduce new reporting and performance media technologies to VMLY&R South Africa.
•    Overseeing the reporting and analysing of campaigns based on the expected KPIs and objectives.
•    Ensuring Google Analytics reporting is integrated with media reporting (where applicable).
•    Keeping abreast of media and analytics trends.
•    Managing internal and external stakeholders.
•    Working closely on digital strategies.
•    Ensuring delivery of campaigns and ROI for clients.
•    Collaborating with internal staff on ad copy, analytics and reporting.
•    Interpreting data from digital marketing platforms to optimise campaigns and provide actionable insights and recommendations.
•    Producing useful and accurate reporting on all digital marketing activity.
•    Managing and controlling client spend diligently and in line with company processes across all relevant channels.
•    Ensuring all digital marketing campaigns deliver against internal performance requirements linked to client KPIs.
•    Leveraging relationships with Google to assist in the setup and/or optimisation of client campaigns/accounts.
•    Conducting audience, keyword, placement, and platform research to help inform paid media strategies.
•    Being well versed in brand safety and viewability and implementing the required controls to protect client brands.

Key Performance Measures
• Successful performance of campaigns that you are assigned to
• Successful management of the team that report to you
• Quality of work produced from strategies to presentations to reporting, etc.
• Champion the development of new/creative ideas, processes or technologies
• Compliance with deadlines

The Ideal Candidate:
•    At least 3–5 years of biddable search experience preferred.
•    Understanding of agency reporting and optimisation processes.
•    Knowledge of the local digital publisher landscape.
•    Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
•    Ability to analyse data and provide insightful recommendations.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
•    Detail-orientated with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
•    High attention to detail.
•    Google Ads certified (including fundamentals, search, display, video, shopping, mobile).
•    Google Analytics certified.
•    Excellent copywriting and grammar skills.
•    Knowledge of HTML and User Experience (UX) is desirable.
•    Knowledge of SEO is desirable.
•    Experienced in Google Ads Editor is desirable.
•    Experience on GMP Suite and/or certifications is desirable.