Hiring Guide: Interim Performance Marketing Manager

Interim Performance Marketing Manager: Career details

Intelligent People is a London, UK based executive recruitment agency specialising in Digital Marketing.

Are you looking to hire an Interim Performance Marketing Manager or transition into the role yourself? These temporary but crucial positions ensure continuity in product design and development, driving innovation and seizing market opportunities. Whether you’re a client seeking talent or a professional exploring this sector, this guide covers key skills, responsibilities and contract considerations.

Other Digital Marketing Specialist roles we recruit for

Paid Search Manager

Digital Marketing Analyst

Social Media Manager

Digital Marketing Manager

Demand Generation Manager

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Head of Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing Director

Chief Digital Officer

The Role of the Interim Performance Marketer

An Interim Performance Marketing Manager, also known as an Interim Performance Marketer or an Interim Performance Manager, is a key role in the digital marketing landscape. They are responsible for planning, executing and optimising paid marketing campaigns to deliver measurable results, such as increased customer acquisition and improved return on investment (ROI).

Typically found in industries like retail, technology and finance, Performance Managers work closely with analytics teams to ensure every pound spent delivers maximum value.

What are the main objectives of an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?

Objectives can vary depending on the company and its specific goals. However, here are 9 common objectives:

1. Increase ROI on Marketing Campaigns

Optimise paid media channels (e.g., LinkedIn, GoogleAds, Facebook, PPC (pay per clicks), social ads, display advertising) to achieve a high return on investment.

2. Drive Website Traffic

Implement strategies to increase relevant and high-quality traffic to the organisation’s website or landing pages.

3. Enhance Conversion Rates

Focus on improving the customer journey and reducing barriers to conversion to boost lead generation, sales or other desired actions.

4. Manage and Optimise Budgets

Allocate and monitor the performance marketing budget efficiently to maximise impact and minimise waste.

5. Develop Data-Driven Strategies

Use analytics and data insights to inform decisions, measure performance and guide campaign adjustments.

6. Increase Brand Visibility and Awareness

Ensure the organisation’s brand reaches the right audience through targeted performance channels.

7. Collaborate Cross-Functionally

Work closely with creative, content and product teams to align campaigns with broader organisational goals.

8. Test and Scale Campaigns

Conduct A/B testing, trial new strategies and scale successful campaigns to maximise outcomes.

9. Monitor Competitor Activity

Stay informed about industry trends and competitor strategies to remain competitive in the market.

Hiring in 2025?

Discovering the ideal timing to hire can be a challenging task. This guide provides insights into the role, the optimal period to bring one on board depending on your business strategy and expansion plans, as well as the necessary resources you may require in preparing for the recruitment process.

Interim Performance Marketing Manager day rate

In today’s market, a typical Interim Performance Marketing Manager’s day rate would be in the region of £500 – £700.

Read our guide:
Digital Marketing salary 2025

Interim Performance Marketing Manager job description

Company overview:
We are a rapidly growing tech company at the forefront of innovation in [industry/sector]. Our cutting-edge solutions have gained significant traction in the market, and we are scaling our operations to capitalise on our success. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced marketing leader to join our executive team and drive our marketing efforts to new heights.

Role overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Interim Performance Marketing Manager to oversee and optimise digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving customer acquisition, engagement and retention, ensuring all campaigns deliver measurable results aligned with business objectives.

Responsibilities:

Develop and Execute Campaigns: Plan, implement and manage performance marketing campaigns across channels such as Google Ads, social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), affiliate networks and programmatic advertising.

Analyse and Optimise: Monitor performance metrics (e.g., ROI, CPA, CTR), conduct A/B testing and optimise campaigns to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

Budget Management: Allocate and track budgets, ensuring efficient spend and alignment with revenue goals.

Customer Insights: Leverage data analytics to understand customer behaviour and improve targeting strategies.

Collaboration: Work closely with creative, content and product teams to produce impactful assets and ensure consistent brand messaging.

Reporting: Provide detailed performance reports to stakeholders, including insights and actionable recommendations.

Stay Updated: Keep up with industry trends, emerging platforms and new advertising technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or a related field (preferred but not always required).
Proven experience (3–5+ years) in performance/digital marketing, particularly in paid media and acquisition.
Expertise in managing campaigns on platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager and others.
Strong knowledge of analytics tools like Google Analytics, Tag Manager and CRM systems.
Proficiency in using data visualisation tools such as Tableau or Power BI (preferred).
Ability to interpret complex data sets and translate findings into actionable strategies.
Excellent communication, project management and problem-solving abilities.
Google Ads or Facebook Blueprint certifications (advantageous).

If you have an innovative mindset with a focus on growth and improvement and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment and have demonstrated success in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and be a driving force behind our success as we revolutionise our sector.

What skills does an Interim Performance Marketing Manager need?

To excel in the role of Interim Performance Marketer, candidates need a mix of technical expertise and strategic thinking. Key skills include:

Proficiency in digital advertising tools: Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager and programmatic platforms.

Analytical ability: Skilled in interpreting data and identifying actionable insights.

Budget management: Ability to allocate resources effectively and maximise ROI.

Communication skills: Collaborating with cross-functional teams and presenting findings clearly.

Adaptability: Staying ahead of trends, such as AI-powered marketing tools and changing consumer behaviour.

Education requirements needed of an Interim Performance Marketing Manager

While a degree in Marketing, Business, or Data Analytics is advantageous for the role of Interim Performance Marketing Manager, employers often prioritise experience and results. Certifications such as Google Ads Certification, Facebook Blueprint, or proficiency in tools like HubSpot and Tableau can set candidates apart.

Our digital recruitment agency approach

We operate with our core values at the centre of everything we do. We listen. We support. We’re ethical, always wanting the best for clients and candidates – we’ll never push you down a route that is not right for you or your business. That’s built our trusted reputation as a digital recruitment agency, and it’s why our customers come back to us time and time again.

What is the Difference Between an Interim and Fractional Performance Marketing Manager?

While both roles are temporary and bring senior-level user expertise, there are key differences:

Interim Performance Marketing Manager: Works full-time and is deeply embedded in the company, overseeing the design and usability of a company’s products and services for a defined period. They focus on the needs of the end-users to make sure their products and services stand out in the market and ensure seamless collaboration across teams.
Fractional Interim Performance Marketing Manager: Provides part-time support, often working with multiple companies simultaneously. They focus on high-level strategic guidance rather than day-to-day execution or management.

The right choice depends on your company’s needs. If your business requires hands-on, dedicated design leadership to manage teams, implement processes, and execute a design vision, an interim role is the better fit. For broader, advisory-level input without full-time commitment, a fractional role may be more suitable.

FAQs

Do I need formal qualifications to become an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?: Typically, the role requires a degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field. While qualifications help, hands-on experience and proven results are often more important.

What’s the difference between an Interim Performance Marketing Manager and an Interim Digital Marketing Manager?: An Interim Performance Marketing Manager focuses exclusively on paid campaigns and measurable outcomes, while an Interim Digital Marketing Manager oversees broader strategies, including organic content.

How does an Interim Performance Marketing Manager measure success?: Key metrics include: click-through rate (CTR); conversion rate (CVR); cost per acquisition (CPA) or cost per lead (CPL); return on ad spend (ROAS) and overall campaign ROI.

Can Interim Performance Marketing Managers work remotely?: Yes, many companies offer remote or hybrid options for interim roles, especially in digital-first industries.

What are the biggest challenges for an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?: Keeping up with evolving advertising platforms and algorithms. Balancing short-term and long-term campaign goals. Managing high competition for ad space. Ensuring privacy compliance (e.g., GDPR, cookie policies).

What does an Interim Performance Marketing Manager do?: An Interim Performance Marketing Manager is a short-term expert brought in to lead and execute paid marketing campaigns across digital channels like Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, and more. Their core goal is to drive measurable customer acquisition and ROI through data-led strategy, rapid optimisation and full-funnel tracking.

When should a company consider hiring an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?: Hire an interim when you're facing a gap in your paid media capability, launching a new product, scaling rapidly, or need a short-term fix while searching for a permanent hire. They’re especially valuable when performance is lagging or you need someone to quickly optimise ad spend and results.

What day rate should I expect to pay an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?: Typical day rates for an Interim Performance Marketing Manager range from £500 to £700, depending on the candidate’s seniority, channel expertise, and contract length. For highly strategic roles (e.g. managing large budgets or full-funnel performance), day rates may go higher.

How quickly can an Interim Performance Marketing Manager start?: Most Interim Performance Marketing Managers can start within 1-2 weeks, with some available immediately. We maintain a bench of active, pre-vetted professionals who can hit the ground running.

What should be included in an Interim Performance Marketing Manager job description?: An effective Interim Performance Marketing Manager job description should include core responsibilities like paid media strategy and execution, performance analysis, budget management, and the platforms involved (e.g., Google Ads, GA4, Meta). Also include contract length, KPIs, reporting lines, and whether they’ll manage agencies or teams

What’s the difference between a Marketing Manager and an Interim Performance Marketing Manager?: A Marketing Manager typically oversees broader marketing functions, including brand, content and communications, with long-term brand-building goals. An Interim Performance Marketing Manager, by contrast, focuses specifically on digital acquisition and measurable ROI, using paid media channels to drive immediate and trackable growth.

Are PPC and Interim Performance Marketing Manager roles the same?: Not quite. PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a subset of what an Interim Performance Marketing Manager handles. While PPC focuses mostly on search engine advertising like Google Ads, a Performance Marketing Manager covers a wider range of channels, including paid social, display, programmatic, affiliate and more.

Is Growth Marketing the same as an Interim Performance Marketing Manager role?: No, but they are closely related. An Interim Performance Marketing Manager focuses on paid digital channels and direct response campaigns. Growth Marketing is broader, combining paid and organic tactics, product optimisation, retention and experimentation across the full user journey. Performance marketing is often one function within a larger growth strategy.

What experience should an Interim Performance Marketing Manager have?: Look for Interim Performance Marketing Managers with a proven track record in running high-performing paid campaigns, deep platform knowledge, and the ability to work independently. Ideal candidates should be commercially aware, confident with data, and experienced in similar industries or verticals.

Can an Interim Performance Marketing Manager manage agencies or internal teams?: Yes, many Interim Performance Marketing Managers are hired specifically to audit, manage, or restructure agency relationships, lead internal digital teams, or mentor junior staff while delivering results.

Does an Interim Performance Marketing Manager need onboarding?: Some onboarding is helpful to align on brand, tone, and goals, but most Interim Performance Marketing Managers are used to fast-paced contracts and can start delivering quickly with minimal ramp-up time.

Can you help benchmark an Interim Performance Marketing Manager role or compare candidates?: Yes, as a specialist recruitment agency, we can advise on current day rates, candidate availability, job scope and role design. Whether you're weighing interim vs permanent or scaling your growth team, we can guide the best-fit solution.