Managing Partner – Performance & Search-Led Portfolio

Role Overview

• Develop and maintain strong, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with senior client stakeholders (C-suite or equivalent)
• Act as a senior strategic authority for performance
• and search-led clients, translating specialist output into clear, commercial narratives for executive audiences
• Partner closely with senior search and performance leaders to challenge thinking, guide prioritisation and ensure paid search and SEO strategies align with wider business outcomes
• Proactively identify client needs and challenges, anticipating future requirements
• Lead and win client pitches and cross-sell opportunities within the Client Team, working closely with the wider triumvirate to ensure successful outcomes
• Deliver budget, revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction across the portfolio in line with agreed commercial KPIs
• Act as the primary escalation point for all client issues, alongside the Exec sponsor
• Challenge client assumptions and provide confident strategic guidance on digital marketing strategy
• Drive client-centric solutions that deliver tangible business value
• Guide and mentor team members across the Client Team, including Planning Directors, Channel Strategy Directors, Project Managers and wider specialist teams
• Remove roadblocks and facilitate effective internal collaboration
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and knowledge-sharing across disciplines
• Influence team composition to best serve client needs
• Identify and address training and capability gaps within the Client Team
• Develop and execute strategic plans for client growth and business development
• Conduct regular performance reviews to identify optimisation and growth opportunities
• Analyse market trends and competitive landscapes to inform strategy
• Drive initiatives that improve revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction
• Oversee all financial aspects of the Client Team in partnership with finance leads
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and invoicing
• Drive profitability and maximise margins across engagements
• Ensure long-term financial health and sustainability of the portfolio
• Use data to inform decision-making and track KPIs
• Ensure efficient, high-quality delivery against agreed KPIs
• Implement best practices and streamline processes
• Drive operational efficiency and compliance with agency policies
• Maintain open, transparent communication with the wider Croud business, including channel heads, Growth and Exec teams
• Contribute to agency-wide initiatives and strategic priorities
• Build strong, trusted relationships across all internal teams
• Be a champion of Croud's values and culture, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Represent Croud with integrity and professionalism both internally and externally.
• Drive continuous improvement within the agency based on client feedback.
• Contribute to the overall development of the agency's service offerings.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ proven success in digital marketing, with strong experience in client leadership, business development and senior stakeholder management
• Deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape, with particular strength and confidence in paid search, SEO and performance-led models , alongside working knowledge of paid media, social, content and emerging technologies
• Proven experience operating in search-heavy or performance-critical client environments , where margin, ROI and commercial outcomes are closely tracked
• Demonstrated ability to lead senior client conversations in performance and search contexts with confidence and authority
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills
• Excellent negotiation, presentation and relationship-management capabilities at senior levels
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset
• Experience managing budgets, P&L and forecasting
• Strategic thinker with strong industry awareness and future-focused mindset
• Entrepreneurial, proactive and comfortable operating in complex, fast-moving environments

Benefits

• Paid sabbatical at 7 years with an option to take it unpaid at 5 years
• 25 days holiday a year
• Discretionary annual performance based incentive
• Sale commission
• Recruitment referrals bonus
• Health & Wellbeing contribution
• 2 Recharge Days each holiday year
• Ride to Work scheme
• Railcard Season Ticket loan
• Home office screen
• Daily office perks: Free fruit, breakfast cereals, snacks, and tea & coffee
• Weekly treat: Enjoy a complimentary lunch on us every week
• Enhanced Family Leave: Including primary and secondary family leave, extended parental leave, and shared family leave
• Life insurance and income protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension
• Curated 3rd party learning platform as well as access to Croud Campus (our bespoke learning and development platform)
• Peer to peer recognition scheme 'bonusly'
• Team off-sites/regular socials
• Year-round holiday parties
• Flexible working options