Performance Marketing Manager Job at Pro Athlete in Kansas City

Overview

Pro Athlete's Performance Marketing Manager will lead the strategy, oversight, and performance optimization of all digital acquisition channels across our portfolio of retail brands: JustBats, JustGloves, and JustPaddles. This role focuses on organic growth while overseeing paid search and paid social in partnership with an in-house Paid Strategist. You will architect how customers discover and convert with our brand through high-impact SEO, Generative Engine Optimization, and performance-driven paid media. This role is not hands-on paid media daily, but you should have the experience and confidence to step in when needed, align paid efforts with the broader acquisition strategy, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. The role will manage performance marketing campaigns across three distinct brands with unique customer segments and acquisition goals, requiring context-switching and channel nuance management across brands. It combines strategic thinking with technical depth to differentiate our brands and drive cost-effective growth across every acquisition touchpoint.

Synonyms: Acquisition Manager, Growth Marketing Manager, Organic + Paid Acquisition Lead, Customer Acquisition Manager

Who We Are: We are Pro Athlete, Inc., an eCommerce company specializing in a World Class customer and employee experience and selling baseball and softball bats, gloves, pickleball paddles, and apparel through JustBats, JustGloves, and JustPaddles. We have a Major League caliber culture, a passion for what we do, and we love to have fun. Alignment with our Core Values is a must. Do not apply if you don’t believe in our Core Values or don’t plan to live them out. To stand out, show us something that wows us and excites us about joining our team.

How We Play the Game

• We live out our Core Values
• We have genuine curiosity
• We are operationally predictable with no surprises
• We have each other's backs
• We create a drama-free work zone
• We stay connected
• We hold each other accountable
• We put our pride aside
• We take the high road

Essential Roles & Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Acquisition Strategy Development & Oversight (40%)

• Own and drive the holistic digital acquisition strategy across organic and paid channels.
• Develop integrated channel plans that balance long-term SEO gains with short-term paid performance.
• Partner closely with our in-house Paid Search Strategist to ensure alignment, continuity, and backup coverage for Paid Search and Paid Social.
• Translate business objectives into acquisition goals, channel tactics, and performance KPIs.
• Build acquisition roadmaps by brand, channel, and seasonal priority.
• Identify new platform opportunities and areas for competitive advantage in both organic and paid spaces.
• Own the performance creative briefing process for paid media campaigns, including messaging frameworks, ad testing plans, and iteration cycles.
• Collaborate with designers to produce and scale creative assets across Paid Social and Paid Search platforms.

Organic Marketing Execution (35%)

• Lead the end-to-end SEO strategy, including technical audits, on-page optimization, backlinks, and more.
• Conduct ongoing keyword research, search behavior analysis, and SERP monitoring.
• Partner with content, design, merchandising, and product teams to bring SEO and GEO strategies to life.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts for site structure, crawlability, and performance improvements.
• Manage and coordinate with external agencies or freelancers as needed to execute paid media, SEO, or CRO initiatives.

Paid Channel Oversight & Strategic Support (15%)

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for Paid Search and Paid Social channels.
• Collaborate with our Paid Search Strategist to develop and maintain high-performing campaigns.
• Step in when necessary to provide tactical support, troubleshoot issues, or guide budget reallocations.
• Ensure consistent messaging, landing page alignment, and cross-channel funnel optimization.
• Evaluate and recommend new ad platforms, creative strategies, or testing opportunities based on performance and audience trends.

Performance Analysis & Optimization (10%)

• Build and manage channel performance dashboards, forecasts, and reporting frameworks.
• Identify trends, bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities across all acquisition efforts.
• Present strategic recommendations to marketing leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Responsible for managing acquisition budgets and accountable for key performance metrics, including CAC:LTV, ROAS, and blended acquisition efficiency in partnership with the Paid Strategist.

Preferred Education and Experience

• BA/BS in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in digital marketing, with proven success across SEO and paid media.
• Hands-on SEO expertise (technical, on-page, etc.) in a high-SKU, eCommerce environment.
• Familiarity with paid media platforms like Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, Reddit Ads — even if not managing them daily.
• Experience with CMS platforms.
• Experience with CRM platforms, particularly HubSpot.
• Strong analytical skills, with fluency in GA4, Google Search Console, SEMrush, and similar tools.
• Ability to manage cross-functional campaigns with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Clear communicator, comfortable balancing strategy and execution across brands.

Bonus Points

• Sports industry or eCommerce experience.
• Experience leading performance strategy for multi-brand portfolios.
• Prior team management or agency/vendor oversight.
• Passion for sports and community-driven brands.

We’re looking for someone who understands the art and science of acquisition — someone who can lead with a strategic lens, roll up their sleeves when needed, and drive measurable growth through a full-funnel, cross-channel approach.

All Jobs at Pro Athlete Require

• Core Value alignment. Our Core Values are the driving force behind how we do business and live our lives.
• Self-driven work ethic. You must be a self-starter who is resourceful, loves taking initiative and seeing things through to completion.
• Genuine curiosity and the desire to learn. We are ever-changing and need employees who are innovative and adaptable.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Full-time, 40+ hours per week. May require occasional evening/weekend work during peak seasons or product launches. Remote opportunities may be eligible, though visits to HQ in Kansas City are encouraged.

Travel

Minimal, though occasional travel may be required for team meetings or regional activations.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

If we’ve just described your dream job, we invite you to browse through our company website to learn more about us. We think you’ll like what you see.

E-Verify

This organization participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. For more information, please view the information below by copying and pasting the URL into your browser or contact TOPS@proathleteinc.com.

• https://www.e-verify.gov/employees/e-verify-overview

Pro Athlete is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran, or any other applicable protected classes. Pro Athlete prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind and is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all.