Performance Marketing Lead (Native Ads)

Remote from: Europe
Annual salary: Undisclosed
Salary information is not provided for this position. Check our Salary Directory to estimate the average compensation for similar roles.
Department: Marketing & Sales
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 4 Jul 2026
Apply before: 4 Aug 2026
Experience level: Senior
Views / Applies: 39 / 2

About company

About CapsLock

We deliver award‑winning cyber security and digital skills training that helps adults build meaningful new careers.

Education Management
2019

Actively Hiring

AI Summary

This is a leadership role focused on building and scaling the Native Advertising function within a high-growth performance marketing organization. The Performance Marketing Lead will own the strategy and execution across platforms like Taboola, Microsoft Ads, LiveIntent, and Newsbreak, managing a team of media buyers. The role requires hands-on experience in performance marketing, team management, and a data-driven approach to optimization. It offers a clear path to grow into a Head of Native Pod position as the business expands. The ideal candidate has 7+ years of experience, preferably in lead generation and agency environments.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight This role is rated difficulty 4 due to the combination of strategic leadership, team management, and hands-on performance marketing expertise required. It demands a deep understanding of native advertising platforms and the ability to build scalable systems while driving team performance.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The salary for this position was not provided. Based on market data for a Performance Marketing Lead with 7+ years of experience in the US, the typical range is $100,000 to $180,000 annually, with a median around $140,000. This role's compensation should be competitive within this range, especially given the leadership and growth opportunities.

Core Skills Required

Native Advertising Taboola Performance Marketing Media Buying Team Leadership Campaign Optimization Data Analysis Cross-functional Collaboration Lead Generation Microsoft Ads

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the Performance Marketing Lead (Native Ads) position at your company. With over 8 years of hands-on experience in performance marketing and a proven track record of scaling native advertising campaigns, I am confident in my ability to lead your team to new heights. I have extensive expertise in platforms like Taboola, Microsoft Ads, and LiveIntent, and have successfully managed teams to drive profitable growth.

In my previous role, I built a native advertising function from scratch, achieving a 40% increase in lead volume while reducing cost per lead by 25%. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy mentoring team members to reach their full potential. My approach is data-driven, and I am passionate about experimentation and continuous improvement.

I am particularly drawn to this opportunity because of the clear path to Head of Native Pod and the chance to shape a high-performing media buying organization. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills align with your goals.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Sample Interview Questions

Can you describe your experience with native advertising platforms like Taboola and Microsoft Ads? How have you optimized campaigns on these platforms for lead generation?

I have over 5 years of experience with Taboola and Microsoft Ads, managing campaigns with monthly budgets exceeding $500k. I focus on audience targeting, creative testing, and bid optimization. For example, I reduced CPA by 30% by implementing a structured A/B testing framework for headlines and images, and using lookalike audiences based on high-quality leads.

This role involves leading a team of media buyers. How do you approach team management and development?

I believe in setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and fostering a culture of experimentation. I hold weekly one-on-ones to review performance and career growth, and I encourage team members to propose new testing ideas. I also document best practices and create playbooks to ensure consistency. In my previous role, I mentored two junior buyers who later became leads.

How would you go about building a testing strategy for native ads?

I would start by defining key metrics (e.g., CTR, conversion rate, CPA) and creating a structured testing roadmap. I prioritize tests based on potential impact and ease of implementation, focusing on targeting, creative, and landing page variables. I use statistical significance to validate results and document findings. I also collaborate with design and analytics teams to accelerate testing velocity.

Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a campaign that was underperforming. What steps did you take?

I once managed a campaign with high spend but low conversion rates. I first analyzed funnel data and found that the landing page had a slow load time. I worked with the CRO team to optimize the page, and also adjusted targeting to remove low-quality placements. Within two weeks, the conversion rate improved by 40% and CPA dropped by 20%.

How do you stay updated with industry trends and platform changes?

I subscribe to industry newsletters, attend webinars, and participate in forums like r/ppc. I also set up alerts for platform updates from Taboola and Microsoft. I encourage my team to share learnings and we hold monthly knowledge-sharing sessions. Recently, I implemented a new bidding strategy based on a change in Taboola's algorithm that improved efficiency by 15%.

Description

We’re looking for an experienced Performance Marketing Lead to take ownership of one of our fastest-growing performance marketing initiatives.

You’ll lead the development and scaling of our Native Advertising capabilities across Taboola, Microsoft Ads, LiveIntent, and Newsbreak, working alongside Creative, CRO, and Analytics teams to build a high-performing media buying organization.

This isn’t a role for someone who simply wants to manage campaigns.

It’s an opportunity to build a platform.

You’ll initially lead a team of three Media Buyers while helping us recruit and develop additional specialists. As the business grows, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of our Native Advertising organization, with a clear opportunity to grow into Head of Native Pod.

If you’re passionate about experimentation, building teams, and solving difficult performance marketing challenges at scale, we’d love to talk.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the Native Advertising Function

Own the overall performance and strategic direction of our Native Advertising channels, including Taboola, Microsoft Ads Native, LiveIntent, and Newsbreak.
Develop platform-specific strategies that support sustainable client growth while maintaining profitability and operational efficiency.
Continuously identify new opportunities to improve campaign performance, testing velocity, and scalability.

Build and Develop a High-Performing Team

Lead, mentor, and support an initial team of three Media Buyers.
Recruit and onboard additional Media Buyers as the team expands.
Create an environment focused on accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and high performance.
Provide regular coaching, campaign reviews, and performance feedback to help team members grow professionally.

Drive Performance Excellence

Ensure campaigns are executed and optimized according to clearly defined performance standards.
Monitor key business metrics, including lead volume and quality, cost efficiency, and profitability.
Support Media Buyers in identifying scaling opportunities, troubleshooting performance issues, and making data-driven optimization decisions.
Maintain a strong understanding of platform updates, industry trends, and competitive activity.

Own Testing Strategy

Develop structured testing frameworks across targeting, bidding, placements, creatives, and campaign optimization.
Promote a culture of experimentation where decisions are driven by data rather than assumptions.
Ensure testing results are documented, shared, and incorporated into operational best practices.

Collaborate Across Functions

Partner closely with Design, CRO, Analytics, and Operations teams to improve campaign quality and execution speed.
Translate business objectives into clear testing priorities and cross-functional initiatives.
Help improve workflows that enable faster experimentation and more efficient campaign launches.

Build Scalable Systems

Establish platform standards, documentation, playbooks, and operational processes that enable consistent execution across the team.
Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and scalability.
Contribute to the long-term development of our performance marketing organization by continuously improving how the team operates.

Requirements

Required

7+ years of hands-on experience in Performance Marketing or Media Buying.
Previous experience managing, mentoring, or leading Media Buyers.
Experience with one or more Native Advertising platforms, including Taboola, Outbrain, Microsoft Ads, LiveIntent, Newsbreak, MGID, or MediaGo.
Experience managing campaigns targeting North American markets.
Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision making.
Proven experience optimizing campaigns at scale.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Fluent English.

Preferred