Associate Director / Director - Performance Acceleration

The Publicis Media centralised performance team leads the design, scaling, and adoption of data-driven, technology-enabled performance solutions across agencies and clients. Operating as a regional and global network of performance strategists, product specialists, and activation experts, we translate intelligence into measurable growth.

We focus on accelerating AI-led performance transformation, advancing how data, technology, and automation are applied across Search, Social, Programmatic, Affiliate, and Commerce. Leveraging proprietary AI tools, advanced ad technology, strategic partnerships, and the scale of Publicis Groupe, we deliver differentiated performance models that move beyond execution to sustainable client impact.

As Performance acceleration Lead, you will lead regional performance strategy and execution across channels, with accountability for commercial growth, capability, and quality. You will drive strategic initiatives across priority markets and accounts, act as the senior client and agency partner, and consistently elevate the value of performance beyond execution. Working across Publicis Media, you will remove growth barriers, introduce new solutions, and ensure best-in-class Performics delivery.

You will also advance regional capabilities through leadership in AI-led Search and Social, Identity, Premium Supply, Personalisation, and Algorithmic optimisation, engaging senior stakeholders and partners to unlock new growth.

Authoritative, collaborative, and impact-driven, you influence confidently at senior client, agency, and new business levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the strategic performance lead for assigned clients and projects, driving growth through proactive identification, adoption, and scaling of high-value performance products and services.


• Set and embed performance strategy across client teams by defining strategic priorities, product roadmaps, capability development, and delivery of “brilliant basics” that underpin consistent results.


• Own performance delivery and growth outcomes, using rigorous tracking, reporting, and insight-led optimisation to unlock revenue, remove barriers, and exceed agreed targets.


• Lead end-to-end planning to activation, translating strategy into execution, and codifying success through case studies, playbooks, POVs, and award-worthy narratives.


• Be accountable for commercial impact, measured by achievement of market revenue targets and effective upsell of performance products and solutions.


• Partner closely with agency, market, and digital leadership to ensure performance offerings are clearly positioned, consistently communicated, and embedded across priority clients.


• Contribute to new business and growth initiatives, supporting key global and local pitches with performance strategy, product narratives, media & tech pricing and activation expertise.


• Build and develop high-performing teams, working with cross-functional stakeholders to train, upskill, and grow talent from entry-level associates to future leaders.


• Act as the bridge between Product & Solutions and client teams, translating capabilities into clear, commercially viable propositions for agencies and clients.


• Leverage media and technology partnerships to bring forward differentiated performance opportunities, including new formats, audiences, and supply-side innovations.


• Design and deliver targeted training content to address client and agency capability gaps and accelerate adoption of performance best practices.

Qualifications:

• min. 8+ years’ experience in building and leading a performance management or client services function within an agency, network or ad tech company.


• Proven knowledge of identity and online ad targeting, agency dynamics, industry technology, campaign pricing models and metrics


• Working knowledge of Business Intelligence tools like datorama, data studio to drive analytics’ best practice within the performance landscape


• Existing relationships and contacts with vendors, agencies and Adtech a plus


• Proven experience and success in project management within BI environments


• Experience managing planning and activation across performance platforms, including Search (Google Ads, SA360, Kenshoo etc), Social (Meta, TikTok, X, Smartly, FlashTalking), Programmatic (DV360, TTD, Pubmatic, Magnite etc), and Commerce platforms such as Amazon Ads, Shopee, Lazada, Tokopedia, TikTok Shop, Retail media networks driving client outcomes.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills