Manager, Performance Marketing Media Buyer

Manager, Performance Marketing Media Buyer

Atlanta United FC is a professional soccer club based in Atlanta, Georgia, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS). Known for its passionate fanbase, record-breaking attendance, and success on the field, Atlanta United is committed to becoming a leader in the sports entertainment industry. We are looking for a seasoned Performance Marketing Manager to drive growth and engagement across our digital marketing platforms.

The Atlanta United Integrated Marketing & Fan Engagement team is charged with developing and delivering a strategic, comprehensive direction for Atlanta United's brand. Aspects of this direction include, but are not limited to, brand narrative and creative direction development, ticket sales and service marketing, sponsorship marketing, grassroots marketing, retail marketing, influencer marketing and much more. This talented group leverages the entire marketing mix across brand strategy, advertising, digital engagement and media outreach to create emotional connections with our fans.

Reporting to the Director of Integrated Marketing Operations, the Performance Marketing Manager plays an essential role on the team as they will manage people and lead cross-functional, multi-platform initiatives from concept to implementation.

They will lead the strategy, execution, daily management and optimization of all performance marketing initiatives for Atlanta United. This role focuses on (1) driving ticket sales, fan acquisition, merchandise revenue, and fan engagement through paid media channels, (2) and grow our brand presence and interest across multiple channels. As a member of the marketing team, the Performance Marketing Manager will manage key relationships with media partners, oversee budget allocation, and deliver data-driven insights to senior leadership. This role requires a deep understanding of digital marketing tools, analytics, audience segmentation, and the ability to optimize campaigns to achieve measurable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Paid Media Strategy & Execution:

• Develop, lead, and execute comprehensive paid media strategies across search, social, programmatic, video, affiliate, and display platforms to drive customer acquisition, ticket sales, merchandise, and fan engagement.
• Own full campaign lifecycle-from planning and creative development to platform setup, launch, optimization, and reporting.
• Oversee media budget allocation and pacing across platforms, continuously optimizing for return on ad spend (ROAS) and cost-per-acquisition (CPA).
• Implement advanced audience segmentation, bidding strategies, and attribution models to ensure media spend efficiency and effectiveness.
• Partner with internal teams and agencies to deliver campaigns aligned with brand and revenue goals.

Media Buying & Campaign Management:

• Hands-on management of paid campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, programmatic platforms (e.g., The Trade Desk, DV360), and more.
• Continuously test new platforms, ad formats, and targeting tactics to optimize performance and scale reach.
• Oversee A/B and multivariate testing for creative, messaging, placements, and targeting to inform performance improvements.
• Ensure campaigns meet KPI benchmarks, adjusting bids, budgets, and targeting as needed for optimal delivery and ROI.
• Collaborate with creative and content teams to ensure ads are engaging, brand-aligned, and built for conversion.

Analytics & Performance Optimization:

• Monitor and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly performance across all paid channels, proactively identifying opportunities to improve performance.
• Build and maintain custom dashboards to track key performance metrics (e.g., ROAS, LTV, CAC) and visualize data for stakeholders.
• Translate campaign data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for continuous optimization.
• Leverage tools like Google Analytics, Looker Studio, Tableau, and CRM data to understand customer behavior and refine targeting.
• Work with analytics and CRM teams to refine attribution models and support data-driven decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership:

• Work cross-functionally with marketing, CRM, creative, ticketing, and sponsorship teams to deliver integrated and results-driven campaigns.
• Manage and mentor junior team members, providing coaching on media planning, platform best practices, and campaign execution.
• Oversee agency relationships and ensure alignment on goals, timelines, and performance expectations.
• Ensure all campaigns support broader business priorities while delivering strong ROI and fan engagement.

Innovation & Industry Knowledge:

• Stay current with digital marketing trends, media platform updates, and changes in consumer behavior.
• Evaluate emerging platforms and technologies for potential testing and integration into the media mix.
• Promote innovation through regular performance reviews, testing agendas, and proactive media strategy evolution.
• Champion the use of machine learning, automation, and predictive analytics to improve efficiency and impact.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in media buying, digital advertising, or performance marketing (preferably in sports, entertainment, or consumer brands).
• Expert-level knowledge of Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, and programmatic platforms (DV360, The Trade Desk, etc.).
• Proven experience managing six- or seven-figure media budgets with a track record of delivering on KPIs.
• Strong grasp of digital marketing metrics, optimization levers, and attribution modeling (MTA, MMM).
• Experience building, analyzing, and optimizing campaigns based on performance data.
• Comfortable navigating cross-functional teams and fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.

Key Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Effective communicator who can translate data into actionable business insights.
• High attention to detail with a proactive, performance-driven mindset.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and excited to work in a dynamic sports environment.
• Strong copywriting and creative briefing skills are a plus.

Additional Information:

• Passion for soccer and sports marketing is a plus.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support game days and events.