Performance Marketing Manager (Germany)
About Criterion Global
Criterion Global is a rare independent international media strategy and buying agency built for growth in the new global economy. We help ambitious brands expand across borders with agile global coverage and true in-market capability—without the constraints, incentives, or assumptions baked into holding-company agency models.
Our clients rely on us not for scale alone, but for judgment: the ability to evaluate tradeoffs, defend decisions, and execute media strategies that actually reflect how markets work in practice. We are intentionally low-profile, but for clients operating internationally, we are often a hidden advantage.
Germany is a cornerstone market for Criterion Global’s Eurozone growth. This role carries real responsibility and influence.
This Role
The Performance Marketing Manager (Germany) will lead performance strategy and execution in one of Europe’s most economically significant, operationally demanding, and regulation-aware markets.
This role requires a disciplined thinker who understands that Germany does not reward shortcuts, hype, or imported assumptions. You will be expected to design and manage performance programs that balance efficiency, scale, data integrity, privacy considerations, and long-term signal quality—while clearly explaining why specific decisions are being made.
You will work closely with Criterion Global’s international leadership and analytics teams, but you are expected to bring Germany-first reasoning and to challenge approaches that do not hold up under local scrutiny.
Core Responsibilities
- Own performance marketing outcomes across Germany for assigned clients and growth initiatives
- Develop channel strategies across search, paid social, video, programmatic, and premium inventory where appropriate
- Establish clear investment logic grounded in German media economics, auction behavior, and audience dynamics
- Manage budgets, pacing, and performance against agreed KPIs with high operational precision
- Design testing and experimentation frameworks that produce actionable learning (not surface-level activity)
- Maintain strict standards around measurement, attribution guardrails, and data integrity
- Partner with creative, analytics, and strategy stakeholders to ensure media decisions are coherent and defensible
- Produce clear, executive-ready reporting that explains performance drivers, risks, and next steps
- Identify structural improvements: platform mix, bidding approaches, inventory quality, and operational efficiency
- Serve as an internal authority on Germany market dynamics within Criterion Global
Requirements & Qualifications
- Proven experience managing performance marketing in Germany (agency or in-house)
- Strong hands-on expertise across major performance platforms
- Deep understanding of German market dynamics, consumer behavior, and regulatory considerations
- Ability to defend in-market decisions clearly and credibly, especially when they conflict with external expectations
- Strong analytical and diagnostic skills; comfort working with imperfect signals
- Fluent German required; strong English preferred for global collaboration
- High accountability, precision, and comfort operating in a contract-based, performance-driven environment
- Bonus: experience supporting international brands entering or scaling within Germany
What Success Looks Like
- Performance programs in Germany consistently meet or exceed agreed objectives
- Stakeholders trust your judgment because your decisions are well-reasoned and clearly articulated
- Testing and learning materially improve efficiency, scale, or signal quality
- Reporting enables confident decision-making at senior and executive levels
- Internal recognition as a German market authority within Criterion Global’s Eurozone practice
What We Offer
- Ongoing contract engagement with long-term opportunity
- High-impact work in one of Criterion Global’s most strategically important markets
- Direct access to senior agency leadership and global client stakeholders
- Autonomy paired with high expectations and accountability
- A culture that values rigor, clear thinking, and defensible strategy over templates and buzzwords
Compensation, Payment & Contractor Status
To support an efficient and transparent review process, applicants are asked to briefly describe their preferred compensation structure (e.g., hourly, daily, project-based, or retainer) and their proposed rate or fee range, including currency. All engagements are offered on an independent contractor basis only and do not create an employment, partnership, or agency relationship. Compensation information is requested for planning and evaluation purposes and is non-binding; final terms will be subject to mutual agreement, defined scope, availability, jurisdictional and tax requirements. Where applicable, payments to international contractors may be made in the agreed local currency or USD, with any foreign exchange conversion handled at prevailing market rates through the Company’s designated payment provider.
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Notes
Criterion Global is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization.
Employment at Criterion Global is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic—not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Base pay is based on market location and may vary further depending on individualized factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Depending on these same considerations, the total compensation package may also include other elements, including bonuses or additional awards, along with healthcare, educational, and/or other benefits (subject to eligibility criteria such as 401(k) participation). Details of any benefit plans will be provided if an offer is extended.
If hired, employment will be at-will, and the company reserves the right to modify base salary and any discretionary compensation or benefits programs at any time based on individual performance, department performance, company performance, or market factors.
Disclaimer
Fake job scams are increasingly common, and scammers may impersonate personnel to seem more convincing. Criterion Global does not use instant messaging to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. We never require prospective employees to send personal information or incur fees as part of our recruiting process.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, please call +1 646 330 4673.