Senior Paid Search Manager

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead SEM Strategy: Own the strategic direction of paid search across multiple accounts, aligning with broader campaign goals and client KPIs.
• Campaign Oversight: Oversee campaign setup, structure, testing frameworks, and optimization strategies in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
• Mentor & Support Team Members: Provide guidance to junior search buyers and specialists, supporting their growth through training, QA, and thought leadership.
• Performance Management: Monitor performance and trends against KPIs and develop insights that fuel ongoing optimization.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the primary search contact for internal stakeholders and clients, translating technical insights into actionable media recommendations.
• Innovation & Advancement: Evaluate emerging tools, automation, and beta opportunities. Drive innovation in how we plan, buy, and measure paid search.
• Measurement & Attribution: Work closely with analytics teams to define tracking strategies, ensure accurate measurement, and validate performance data.
• Documentation & Standardization: Develop and maintain documentation of paid search best practices, workflows, and QA processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or applicants can substitute one year of related experience for one year of education).
• 5+ years of hands-on experience managing and optimizing paid search campaigns in Google Ads and Microsoft/Bing Ads.
• 3+ years of expertise in paid search strategy, campaign structure, bidding models, audience segmentation, and attribution.
• 2+ years of experience with Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Tag Manager.
• 2+ years of experience building search strategies that ladder up to larger integrated media plans.
• Google Ads Search Certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).

Nice to Have

• Experience mentoring, managing, or providing strategic oversight to junior team members or cross-functional contributors within a paid media or digital marketing environment.
• Strong understanding of KPIs such as CTR, CPC, CPA, ROAS, and Quality Score.
• Experience with Performance Max, YouTube Ads, or Discovery campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical, data interpretation, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot tracking and data discrepancies across ad platforms, analytics tools, and reporting dashboards.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with data, spreadsheets, and performance reporting.
• Active interest in keeping up with the paid media industry and latest trends.
• Familiarity with SEO tools like Spyfu and Optmyzr.
• Familiarity with paid social or programmatic tools like Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, The Trade Desk, or Basis DSP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years managing paid search campaigns in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
• Experience with Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Tag Manager.
• Google Ads Search Certification or willingness to obtain.

Benefits & Perks

• Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance.
• Donation matching, volunteer opportunities.
• Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan.