Managing Partner (Performance & Search-Led Portfolio) (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

LONDON, UK (Hybrid Working - 3 days in the office per week)

A benchmarked salary between £85,500 to £100,500. Your salary level is determined by skills and experience within our progression framework.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This is a pivotal leadership role for a highly experienced and results-oriented individual to join Croud as a Managing Partner. As the leader of a dedicated Client Team, you will strategically manage a client portfolio with direct responsibility for financial performance, client outcomes and team health. You will act as a true business partner to clients, driving sustainable growth, maximising profitability and delivering exceptional outcomes.

This role sits over a performance-led client portfolio, with paid search and SEO forming a core commercial and strategic pillar, particularly for the principal client. While this is not a hands-on channel role, the Managing Partner must bring strong strategic fluency and confidence in search-led environments, and be comfortable leading senior-level conversations where performance outcomes are under close scrutiny.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain strong, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with senior client stakeholders (C-suite or equivalent)
• Act as a senior strategic authority for performance- and search-led clients, translating specialist output into clear, commercial narratives for executive audiences
• Partner closely with senior search and performance leaders to challenge thinking, guide prioritisation and ensure paid search and SEO strategies align with wider business outcomes
• Proactively identify client needs and challenges, anticipating future requirements
• Lead and win client pitches and cross-sell opportunities within the Client Team, working closely with the wider triumvirate to ensure successful outcomes
• Deliver budget, revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction across the portfolio in line with agreed commercial KPIs
• Act as the primary escalation point for all client issues, alongside the Exec sponsor
• Challenge client assumptions and provide confident strategic guidance on digital marketing strategy
• Drive client-centric solutions that deliver tangible business value
• Guide and mentor team members across the Client Team, including Planning Directors, Channel Strategy Directors, Project Managers and wider specialist teams
• Remove roadblocks and facilitate effective internal collaboration
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture
• Ensure effective communication, coordination and knowledge-sharing across disciplines
• Influence team composition to best serve client needs
• Identify and address training and capability gaps within the Client Team
• Develop and execute strategic plans for client growth and business development
• Conduct regular performance reviews to identify optimisation and growth opportunities
• Analyse market trends and competitive landscapes to inform strategy
• Drive initiatives that improve revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction
• Oversee all financial aspects of the Client Team in partnership with finance leads
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and invoicing
• Drive profitability and maximise margins across engagements
• Ensure long-term financial health and sustainability of the portfolio
• Use data to inform decision making and track KPIs
• Ensure efficient, high-quality delivery against agreed KPIs
• Implement best practices and streamline processes
• Drive operational efficiency and compliance with agency policies
• Maintain open, transparent communication with the wider Croud business, including channel heads, Growth and Exec teams
• Contribute to agency wide initiatives and strategic priorities
• Build strong, trusted relationships across all internal teams
• Be a champion of Croud's values and culture, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Represent Croud with integrity and professionalism both internally and externally.
• Drive continuous improvement within the agency based on client feedback.
• Contribute to the overall development of the agency's service offerings.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• 10+ years' proven success in digital marketing, with strong experience in client leadership, business development and senior stakeholder management
• Deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape, with particular strength and confidence in paid search, SEO and performance-led models, alongside working knowledge of paid media, social, content and emerging technologies
• Proven experience operating in search-heavy or performance-critical client environments, where margin, ROI and commercial outcomes are closely tracked
• Demonstrated ability to lead senior client conversations in performance and search contexts with confidence and authority
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills
• Excellent negotiation, presentation and relationship management capabilities at senior levels
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with a data driven mindset
• Experience managing budgets, P&L and forecasting
• Strategic thinker with strong industry awareness and future-focused mindset
• Entrepreneurial, proactive and comfortable operating in complex, fast-moving environments

COMPANY BENEFITS

• Sabbatical: Paid sabbatical at 7 years with an option to take it unpaid at 5 years
• 25 days holiday a year
• Discretionary annual performance based incentive
• Sale commission
• Recruitment referrals bonus
• Health & Wellbeing contribution
• 2 Recharge Days each holiday year
• Ride to Work scheme
• Railcard
• Season Ticket loan
• Home office chair and home office screen
• Daily office perks: Free fruit, breakfast cereals, snacks, and tea & coffee
• Weekly treat: Enjoy a complimentary lunch on us every week
• Enhanced Family Leave: Including primary and secondary family leave, extended parental leave, and shared family leave
• Life insurance and income protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension
• Curated 3rd party learning platform as well as access to Croud Campus (our bespoke learning and development platform)
• Peer to peer recognition scheme 'bonusly'
• Team off-sites/regular socials
• Year-round holiday parties
• Flexible working options
• Day to make a difference

Standard hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm, there's flexibility if agreed in advance with your line managers (it may also be necessary on occasions to work outside of these hours).

Croud is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. All candidates will be assessed based on merit, qualifications and their ability to perform the requirements of the role.

OUR VALUES

• In it together - our value on integration, collaboration and outcomes
• Eye on the future - our value on futurism, creativity and passion
• Generous in spirit - our value on people, development and inclusion
• Do what you say - our value on integrity and accountability
• Make a difference - our value on purpose and impact