St Albans | Full-Time | Google Ads | Higher Education
Higher Education Partners (HEP) is one of the UKs leading online education businesses, delivering white-label Masters and PhD programmes across more than 200 courses in partnership with 12 universities.
Performance marketing plays a critical role in our continued growth strategy. We currently manage a significant Google Ads portfolio across Search, YouTube, Display, and Performance Max, and are continuing to invest in data integration, CRM connectivity, and measurement capabilities to improve enrolment outcomes and campaign effectiveness.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced PPC specialist to join a growing in-house marketing function and take ownership of a large-scale multi-account portfolio within a fast-paced, commercially focused environment.
As Performance Marketing Manager, you will own and optimise 12+ Google Ads accounts within an MCC structure across multiple university partners. You will be responsible for driving lead generation performance, improving enrolment quality metrics, and delivering strategic campaign optimisation across the full paid search lifecycle.
This role would particularly suit someone looking to transition from agency into a more strategic client-side position, where you will have greater ownership, visibility, and influence across performance marketing activity and business outcomes.
Although the role supports a flexible working environment, regular onsite collaboration at our St Albans office is an important part of the position due to stakeholder engagement and cross-functional working requirements.
Manage and optimise 12+ Google Ads accounts across multiple university partners
Build, launch, and continuously improve campaigns across Search, YouTube, Display, and Performance Max
Allocate and manage budgets effectively to maximise lead quality and enrolment outcomes
Monitor campaign performance and implement data-driven optimisation strategies
Support the transition from CPL-focused reporting to enrolment-quality and ROI metrics
Develop bidding strategies, audience targeting, keyword structures, and campaign segmentation
Identify opportunities across ad copy, landing page alignment, audience strategy, and conversion improvement
Utilise Smart Bidding and automation tools effectively within a clear optimisation framework
Work closely with BI and analytics teams to integrate Salesforce CRM data into campaign optimisation
Maintain accurate GA4, GTM, and conversion tracking across all campaigns
Produce and analyse regular performance reports including CPL, conversion rates, enrolment CPA, and lead quality metrics
Use Power BI and GA4 insights to identify trends and recommend improvements
Manage and challenge external agencies to ensure performance standards are achieved
Collaborate with internal content, CRM, finance, and university partner teams
Present campaign performance and insights clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Work closely with operational teams to understand lead flow, conversion quality, and campaign effectiveness
5+ years hands-on Google Ads experience managing substantial budgets
Strong experience managing multiple accounts within MCC structures
Advanced knowledge of PPC optimisation, keyword strategy, and audience targeting
Proven lead generation and conversion optimisation experience
Strong analytical and data interpretation capability
Experience using GA4, GTM, and conversion tracking tools
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Higher Education, EdTech, or professional services lead generation experience
Exposure to Salesforce CRM integrations and data flows
Power BI reporting experience
Experience across LinkedIn Ads or Meta Ads
Knowledge of consent mode, server-side tagging, or advanced GA4 configuration
Opportunity to manage a £3.6M+ paid search portfolio
Ability to shape and influence the in-house performance marketing function
Collaborative and commercially focused environment
Access to analytics, BI, and university partner data
Competitive salary and benefits package
Ready to take ownership of a large-scale paid search portfolio and make a direct impact within a growing higher education business? Apply now to be part of HEPs evolving performance marketing function.
HEP is a Disability Confident and equal opportunity employer. HEP evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability status or any other legally protected characteristic.
