📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Performance Marketing (14 month contract)
🔹 Company: Rakuten Kobo Inc.
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Contract (14 months)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 23, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible hours)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving global growth across Kobo's eReader and Accessory products, Subscriptions, eBooks, and Audiobooks through digital marketing strategies.
- Managing a team and large global budgets to accurately forecast and invest for KPI growth.
- Analyzing data and reporting on performance metrics to optimize campaigns and strategies.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support and encourage cross-channel initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high-energy, data-driven marketer with experience in eCommerce and a deep desire to continually grow acquisition targets. A strong understanding of digital marketing best practices, data analysis, and team leadership is essential for success in this position.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Leading the development of paid media performance strategies across Affiliate Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Paid Social Marketing, and expansion to new channels to drive growth across business units.
✅ Team management and coaching: building, developing, and fostering the success of direct reports and the overall marketing team.
✅ Managing large global budgets across multiple countries, campaigns, and targets to accurately forecast and invest for KPI growth.
✅ Customizing digital strategies to enhance performance and optimization.
✅ Analyzing data and reporting on up-to-date performance across acquisition, sales, units, margin, etc.
✅ Establishing processes to track performance and presenting reports on digital KPIs across the organization.
✅ Using Google Analytics, Tableau, and other measurement tools to report on performance metrics.
✅ Paving the way to find opportunities for A/B testing.
✅ Handling and maintaining relationships with digital marketing partners to stay up to date on the latest digital products and industry best practices.
✅ Formulating and owning best practices related to digital, content, and performance marketing based on innovative industry trends.
✅ Actively contributing to the Digital Marketing Team in a collaborative and meaningful way that helps support and encourage cross-channel initiatives.
✅ Collaborating with teams across Kobo, including: Business Development, Product, CRM, Content Sales, Brand, Retail and Channel Marketing, Kobo Writing Life, Creative, Web Production, Big Data and Analytics.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills, as well as exceptional communication skills, both written and oral presentation. A results-oriented personality with strong business acumen is essential for success in this position.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience: 5+ years in digital marketing with a focus on performance-based marketing (preferably digital acquisition, eCommerce).
Required Skills:
- Proficient in performance marketing, conversion, and customer acquisition with proven demonstration of paid media strategic development and a strong understanding of how paid media and performance marketing integrates into overall marketing strategy.
- Experience managing a team of direct reports and overseeing a team’s day-to-day operation, performance, and reporting on metrics.
- Experience managing a budget across multiple goals and targets and reporting on pacing and performance regularly.
- Proficient knowledge of online measurement and key performance indicators, ability to analyze campaign data, discern insights, apply optimizations, and share findings with key stakeholders.
- Experience working with partners, clients, product managers, and cross-functional teams.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral presentation.
- Action and results-oriented personality with strong business acumen.
Preferred Skills:
- Performance attribution model perspective (last-touch, first-touch, marketing mix modeling)
- Foreign language skills (French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, etc.) or localization experience an asset.
- Experience in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), App Store Optimization (ASO)
- International marketing efforts are an asset.
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience with Google Analytics, Tableau, and other measurement tools would be beneficial for this role. Additionally, familiarity with digital marketing channels such as Affiliate Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, and Paid Social Marketing is essential.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 100,000 - 130,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in Toronto with 5-10 years of experience)
Benefits:
- Flexible hours and hybrid working environment
- Subsidized in-office lunches
- Full benefits starting from your first day
- Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
- Lifestyle spending account
- Talent and development training budget
- Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
- Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
- Dog friendly office
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and a hybrid working environment.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in Toronto with 5-10 years of experience. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Rakuten Kobo Inc. operates in the Computers and Electronics Manufacturing industry, focusing on digital bookselling and eReading services.
Company Size: 201-500 employees (According to LinkedIn)
Founded: 2009 (According to LinkedIn)
Company Description:
- Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s only dedicated digital bookseller, offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million+ customers in 190 countries.
- Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning eReaders, and top-ranking mobile apps.
- Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.
Company Specialties:
- eBooks
- eReaders
- Global Service
- Reading Apps
- Self-Publishing
- Writing Life
- Open Platform
- Audiobooks
Company Website: https://www.kobo.com
ASSUMPTION: Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an innovative and growing company in the digital bookselling industry, offering a casual working start-up environment with a strong commitment to work/life balance.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Director, Digital Marketing and oversees a team of direct reports.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Flexible hours)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career advancement within the Digital Marketing Team or other departments within the organization.
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Access to talent and development training budget for professional growth.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, including career advancement, project diversity, and professional development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Flexible hours)
Office Location(s): 150 John St, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3E3, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, offering a diverse cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and numerous job opportunities.
- The office is located in the downtown core, providing easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and entertainment.
- Toronto has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and a hybrid working environment.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility, allowing employees to enjoy the best of both worlds.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the senior director or another relevant stakeholder
Key Assessment Areas:
- Digital marketing expertise and strategic thinking
- Data analysis and reporting skills
- Team management and leadership abilities
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant digital marketing experience and skills.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with performance marketing, budget management, and team leadership.
- Demonstrate your understanding of digital marketing best practices and industry trends.
- Showcase your ability to analyze data and draw insights to drive decision-making.
ATS Keywords: Performance Marketing, Digital Acquisition, eCommerce, Paid Media Strategies, Customer Acquisition, Affiliate Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Paid Social Marketing, Budget Management, Data Analysis, Team Leadership, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategy
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's digital marketing expertise, strategic thinking, data analysis skills, team management abilities, and cultural fit with the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Analytics
- Tableau
- Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords)
- Microsoft Advertising (formerly Bing Ads)
- Meta Ads (formerly Facebook Ads)
- Rakuten Advertising
- Other digital marketing platforms and tools as needed
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with the listed tools and technologies is essential for success in this role. Candidates should be comfortable learning and using new digital marketing platforms and tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Accountable
- Passionate
Work Style:
- Data-driven and results-oriented
- Entrepreneurial spirit with a strong desire to grow acquisition targets
- Collaborative and team-focused
- Adaptable and comfortable with change in a fast-paced environment
- Curious and committed to keeping on top of new developments in the digital marketing landscape
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong understanding of digital marketing best practices and a deep desire to continually grow acquisition targets?
- Are you comfortable managing a team and overseeing a team’s day-to-day operation, performance, and reporting on metrics?
- Do you have exceptional communication skills, both written and oral presentation, and the ability to clearly explain new concepts and technologies to others?
- Are you an entrepreneurial spirit who knows how to get things done in a fast-paced environment and loves a challenge?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Rakuten Kobo Inc.'s company values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's ongoing growth and success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large global budget across multiple countries, campaigns, and targets may require strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders may present communication and collaboration challenges that require strong interpersonal skills.
- Keeping up with the latest digital marketing trends and best practices may require continuous learning and adaptation.
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining work-life balance and staying connected with team members.
ASSUMPTION: While this role presents several challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for growth, learning, and career advancement for the right candidate.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on driving global growth across multiple business units and managing large global budgets.
- Industry-specific context: The digital bookselling industry is competitive and rapidly evolving, requiring a strong understanding of digital marketing trends and best practices.
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for career advancement within the Digital Marketing Team or other departments within the organization, as well as professional development through access to a talent and development training budget.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on driving global growth and managing large budgets, presenting a significant opportunity for the right candidate to make a substantial impact on the organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a paid media strategy to drive acquisition targets for Kobo's eReader and Accessory products, Subscriptions, eBooks, and Audiobooks across multiple countries and channels.
- Analyzing campaign performance data to optimize strategies and maximize ROI, resulting in a 20% increase in sales and a 15% reduction in cost per acquisition.
- Managing a team of direct reports to deliver on key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive growth across business units, resulting in a 15% increase in team productivity and a 20% improvement in campaign performance.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the key responsibilities and required skills for this role, highlighting the candidate's ability to drive growth, optimize performance, and manage teams to achieve desired outcomes.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the overall digital marketing strategy for Kobo, and what are the key objectives for the next 12-24 months?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the digital marketing team, and how can this role help address them?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within this role and the organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance, and what resources are available to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these key questions during the interview will help candidates better understand the role's expectations, the company's goals, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant digital marketing experience and skills, including your experience with performance marketing, budget management, and team leadership.
- Prepare for your interview by researching digital marketing trends and best practices, as well as the company's products and services.
- Be ready to discuss your experience with data analysis and reporting, as well as your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the position.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
