Head of Performance Marketing and Lead Generation

Head of Performance Marketing & Lead Generation

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 CAD per year + benefits

Reports To: Marketing Leadership Team

Function: Performance Marketing / Demand Generation / Paid Media / Marketing Analytics

ABOUT OUR CLIENT Our client is a leading Canadian private education organization in the early years sector, serving children from ages one to five. Established for more than 25 years and headquartered in Vancouver, the organization has grown from a single school into a network across North America, built on a proprietary, award-winning curriculum that pairs core academics such as reading, writing, math, science and STEM with fine arts including drama, music, dance and yoga.

Trusted by families for over two decades and expanding across Canada and the United States, this is a premium, purpose-driven education brand entering an ambitious growth phase. The organization is now seeking a Head of Performance Marketing & Lead Generation to own paid media, demand generation, and marketing performance across both markets.

The identity of our client will be shared with shortlisted candidates. This search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis.

THE OPPORTUNITY This is a critical leadership and execution role. The successful candidate will own performance marketing across Canada and the United States, with full accountability for paid media strategy, lead generation outcomes, marketing efficiency, marketing technology, AI enablement, and performance reporting. You will play a significant role in accelerating growth and ensuring every marketing dollar delivers measurable business impact.

This is a hands-on leadership seat, not a purely strategic one. You will set the strategy, own the numbers, and roll up your sleeves to drive execution building the lead generation engine that fuels both family enrolment and network expansion. We are seeking someone with deep expertise, a proven track record of scaling lead generation, strong commercial acumen, and the entrepreneurial spirit, growth mindset, and accountability needed to thrive in a fast-moving organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Paid Media & Channel Strategy

Lead and own all paid media strategy, execution, and optimization across Canada and the United States.

Manage and allocate media investment across Google, Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, emerging channels, and AI-driven advertising platforms.

Monitor and improve campaign performance, cost efficiency, lead quality, conversion rates, and return on marketing investment (ROMI/ROAS).

Lead Generation & Conversion

Drive qualified lead generation and conversion performance aligned with enrollment, franchise development, and growth objectives.

Build scalable marketing automation programs and optimize the lead lifecycle from acquisition through conversion.

Identify growth opportunities through audience expansion, funnel optimization, creative testing, and media transformation.

Marketing Analytics, Reporting & Forecasting

Establish best-in-class reporting frameworks, dashboards, attribution models, and executive performance reviews.

Deliver consistent, accurate, and actionable reporting to executive leadership.

Develop forecasting models, performance benchmarks, and accountability measures to support business planning.

AI Enablement & Marketing Technology

Lead the organization's adoption of AI-powered marketing practices, automation, predictive analytics, and campaign optimization.

Leverage AI tools to improve audience targeting, personalization, creative production, workflow efficiency, and lead nurturing.

Own the marketing technology stack and CRM integration that underpins acquisition and measurement.

Search & Discovery (SEO / AEO / GEO)

Develop and execute strategies across SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and GEO/AGO (Generative AI Optimization) to keep the brand visible as consumer search behaviour evolves.

Stay ahead of emerging search technologies and position the brand competitively across traditional and AI-driven discovery.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

Build and lead a culture of testing, experimentation, optimization, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Partner closely with Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Technology, and external agency partners to ensure alignment and execution excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS

8+ years of progressive experience in performance marketing, demand generation, growth marketing, or lead generation leadership.

Proven success managing substantial paid media budgets and delivering measurable growth across multiple markets.

Deep expertise in Google Ads, Meta Ads, YouTube, analytics platforms, attribution methodologies, conversion tracking, marketing technology, and CRM integration.

Strong understanding of AI-driven marketing, marketing automation, machine learning applications, AEO, GEO/AGO, and the future of search and customer acquisition.

Demonstrated ability to build scalable lead generation engines and optimize customer acquisition performance.

Experience creating reporting systems, executive dashboards, forecasting models, and performance review processes.

Advanced analytical capability — translating data into strategic recommendations and action plans.

Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions.

Entrepreneurial, growth-oriented mindset with a willingness to be hands-on and drive execution.

Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE — FIRST 12 MONTHS

A unified paid media strategy live across Canada and the US, with clear budget allocation and channel accountability.

Qualified lead volume and cost-per-acquisition trending measurably in the right direction against enrolment and franchise targets.

Executive-ready dashboards, attribution, and forecasting operating on a regular reporting cadence.

AI-powered workflows, automation, and predictive tooling embedded into day-to-day campaign management.

A working SEO / AEO / GEO strategy protecting and growing visibility as search behaviour shifts.

WHY JOIN This is a rare opportunity to own performance marketing end-to-end for a premium, mission-driven brand at the exact moment it scales across North America. You will have real budget, real accountability, and a genuine seat at the table — with the freedom to build the acquisition engine your way and the mandate to modernize it with AI.

The role offers a competitive package of $90,000 - $100,000 CAD annually plus benefits, and a hybrid working model based in Vancouver.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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