Senior Manager Paid Search

About Us

Stagwell Media is a global media agency that delivers performance built to unlock ambition on every platform. As part of Stagwell, the challenger network transforming marketing through AI, Stagwell Media is transforming media through an agile, integrated model that powers growth and helps brands navigate an evolving marketplace. Powered by next-generation agentic technology, including The Media Machine, its AI-native operating system, the agency accelerates optimization, maximizes media investment efficiency and drives higher-quality audience engagement. With more than 2,300 experts across 50+ markets, Stagwell Media delivers transformative results for leading global brands including Lenovo, DP World, and P&G.

Overview

The Senior Manager, Paid Search leads the execution, optimization, and performance of paid search programs across assigned client accounts. As a first-level manager, this role balances hands-on campaign management with team leadership, client support, and strategic thinking. Acting as the day-to-day account lead, the Supervisor manages Associates and Senior Associates and partners with media, analytics, and account teams to deliver integrated, data-driven strategies that drive measurable client success.

Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Performance Strategy

• Lead the development, execution, and optimization of SEM, YouTube, and contextual campaigns across assigned client accounts
• Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead, ensuring campaign performance aligns with client goals and key performance indicators
• Analyze campaign data and performance trends to identify opportunities for optimization, efficiency, and growth
• Translate performance results into clear, actionable recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partner agencies to support strategic alignment and operational excellence

Campaign Management & Execution

• Oversee the full campaign lifecycle, including proposal development, planning, activation, optimization, reporting, forecasting, and billing audits
• Manage paid search campaigns across platforms including Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and Search Ads 360
• Guide test design and implementation to improve campaign effectiveness and uncover new opportunities
• Review campaign setup, optimizations, and deliverables to ensure accuracy, strategic alignment, and client-ready quality
• Identify opportunities for cross-channel integration across SEM, SEO, social, video, contextual, and programmatic media

Team Leadership & Development 

• Manage team workflow, resource allocation, and project priorities to ensure timely, high-quality delivery
• Review team output and optimization decisions to strengthen performance and operational rigor
• Support the onboarding and training of new hires, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
• Share relevant industry trends, platform updates, and emerging best practices to strengthen team knowledge and capability

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operational Excellence

• Partner with analytics, media, strategy, and account teams to build integrated strategies and measurement frameworks
• Contribute to strategic planning, budget forecasting, and the evaluation of new technologies, platforms, and partners
• Partner with leadership to refine internal workflows, reporting standards, and collaboration across teams
• Coordinate across functions to ensure consistent execution and continuous performance improvement

Required Skills

• 3-5 years of experience in paid search, digital media, or performance marketing
• Hands-on experience managing paid search campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and Search Ads 360
• Deep understanding of biddable media strategies, including brand-building and direct response tactics
• Ability to develop, execute, and optimize SEM, YouTube, and contextual campaigns
• Advanced proficiency with bid management tools and web analytics platforms, such as Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables and VLOOKUPs, and proficiency in PowerPoint for reporting and presentations
• Familiarity with contextual, video, and programmatic advertising platforms
• Experience leading day-to-day client relationships and presenting performance-driven recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, manage, and develop junior team members
• Strong decision-making, prioritization, and delegation skills with a focus on team growth and delivery quality
• Ability to synthesize complex datasets into clear insights, forecasts, and strategic recommendations
• Comfort navigating ambiguity, balancing multiple workstreams, and adapting to shifting priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships

Benefits

• We care about your growth – we offer competitive salaries and annual compensation reviews
• We recognize and celebrate your success…all the time! Whether it’s through company meetups, employee recognition programs, or just a regular day, we make sure our people’s achievements are known and appreciated
• We’re truly a people-first organization. That’s why we offer a Flexible Time Off policy that puts you in control of your work-life balance, as well as market-leading primary and secondary caregiver and parental leave policies
• We have a hybrid in-office/remote working policy that focuses on bringing people together in-person when it’s needed most, i.e., team strategy brainstorms, learning & development opportunities, and company meetings
• We care about social and environmental Impact – we have dedicated Impact Champions who collaborate globally to make sure we’re leaving the world better than we found it
• We have an amazing group of Employee Resource Groups who form close knit communities and are committed to guiding the agency to become more inclusive, diverse, and representative of the world around us
• We’re part of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. We’re nimble and digital-first, and we’re quickly growing to take on the biggest legacy hold cos

In addition to medical, dental and vision coverage, we offer a generous PTO plan, 401k program, comprehensive family planning benefits (including paid parental leave), and pre-tax commuter benefits. Benefits/perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

Equal Opportunities

We believe every career is as unique as the individual and empower employees to reach their full potential in a winning culture motivated by a powerful purpose.

We are an advocate for equal opportunity in the workplace. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. EEO Employer M/F/Vet/Disabled.

Compensation (Text Only)

In order to comply with equal pay and salary transparency laws in various locations, we believe the target range of base compensation in all locations within the United States for this role is $75,000 - $93,000. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and location.