Head of Performance

Head of PerformanceBench Media is looking for an experienced Head of Performance to lead and develop our performance capability across programmatic, paid search and paid social.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who combines deep channel expertise with strong people leadership, commercial judgement and senior client communication skills. You’ll lead our performance team, oversee the quality and performance of our campaign portfolio and help shape how Bench uses data, technology, automation and measurement to deliver better outcomes for clients.
The roleAs Bench enters its next stage of growth, you’ll lead an established team of seven people across a range of performance roles and experience levels. You’ll play an important role in evolving our performance proposition and strengthening how we plan, manage and measure activity across programmatic, paid search and paid social.You’ll lead a team of performance specialists while remaining actively involved in strategy, key accounts, complex campaigns and new-business opportunities. You’ll also work closely with our Client Services team to turn performance data into clear recommendations and practical business outcomes.
What you’ll be doingLeading the day-to-day operations and development of the performance team across programmatic, paid search and paid socialSetting priorities, balancing workloads and ensuring the team has the capability and support needed to succeedCoaching and developing team members through regular one-on-ones, performance reviews and individual development plansOverseeing campaign performance, spend, pacing, delivery and budget management across the portfolioMaintaining high standards across campaign builds, trafficking, tracking, optimisation and quality assuranceEnsuring media-buying quality across areas including viewability, brand safety and ad fraudContributing to performance strategy, planning and presentations across key client accountsBuilding trusted relationships with senior client stakeholdersActing as the senior escalation point for complex campaign, platform, technical and measurement issuesIdentifying portfolio risks early and ensuring appropriate action is taken before they affect client outcomesStrengthening Bench’s approach to attribution, experimentation, incrementality and conversion trackingContributing performance expertise to new-business pitches, proposals and prospect presentationsIdentifying opportunities to grow existing client relationshipsWorking with our Technology team to improve the use of Bench Connect, data, automation and AI across campaign management and reportingAssessing new platforms, inventory, data and technology partners and recommending where they fit within our offeringHelping shape and evolve Bench’s broader performance proposition
What we’re looking forAt least seven years’ experience across performance mediaDeep expertise in programmatic and strong working knowledge of paid search and paid socialAt least three years’ experience managing, coaching and developing a teamExperience overseeing complex client portfolios and leading senior client conversations about performance strategy and measurementStrong knowledge of ad serving, tracking, analytics and major media-buying platformsPractical experience troubleshooting complex campaign, platform and measurement issuesExperience with attribution, experimentation, incrementality and the interpretation of performance dataExperience contributing to pitches, organic growth and the development of agency products or capabilitiesStrong analytical, problem-solving, communication and presentation skillsA strategic and commercial mindset, with the ability to connect media performance to broader client and business outcomesAgency experience is strongly preferred
You’ll be a hands-on leader who sets high standards while genuinely investing in people’s development. You’ll be comfortable challenging platform outputs and superficial conclusions, making complex subjects accessible and remaining calm when priorities compete or issues escalate.
Why join Bench?At Bench, our ambition is to turn possibility into breakthrough. That means combining media expertise, technology, data and new ideas to solve real business problems and continually improve how media is planned, managed and measured.You’ll be joining a leading independent agency where your contribution will be visible and your ideas will be heard. This is an opportunity to influence how our performance capability evolves while developing a talented team and working with a diverse portfolio of clients.
At Bench, you’ll have the opportunity to:Shape and grow our performance offering across programmatic, paid search and paid socialLead and develop a team of performance specialistsWork closely with senior clients on complex performance and measurement challengesInfluence how we use data, automation, AI and our proprietary Bench Connect platformContribute to pitches, client growth and the future direction of the agencyWork across a diverse portfolio of ambitious Australian and international brandsJoin a collaborative business that values curiosity, initiative and continuous improvement
We offer a hybrid workplace, with two days working from home each week. When you’re in the office, you’ll be based in a convenient location with harbour views and Metro, train and bus services within a two-minute walk.
Our benefits also include paid birthday leave and two paid volunteering days each year, giving you time to support causes that matter to you.
We have regular team-building and social events and a strong, supportive culture built around working together, sharing ideas and making things better.
If you’re an experienced performance leader looking for the opportunity to shape a growing capability while remaining close to the work, we’d like to receive your application.
To recruiters, we appreciate you thinking of us, but our team will be handling this role directly.