Paid Media Manager

Join a High-Performance Startup Focused on Building the Future of AI-Driven Paid Acquisition Performance Marketing

At WKND, we’re not just another agency—we’re shaping a tech-driven future where AI-powered solutions revolutionize how brands acquire and retain customers. As a subsidiary of WKND Investments, we bring a unique blend of performance marketing and creative strategy, alongside the robust capabilities of an investment-backed tech-forward approach.

While we currently excel in these areas, our long-term vision is to develop scalable software platforms that help eCommerce brands maximize their growth, profitability, and brand loyalty. We don’t follow trends—we create them. Our approach is anchored in speed, innovation, and execution at the highest level, redefining performance and retention marketing in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Our Core Values

Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

At WKND, excellence isn’t optional—it’s our standard. We’ve cultivated a performance-first culture where outcomes reign supreme—whether launching high-performing campaigns in record time or leveraging AI to solve complex marketing challenges. Whether it takes three hours or three hundred, our goal remains the same: deliver world-class results with a tangible impact. Every team member is empowered to think critically, act decisively, and solve complex problems at scale. This is not a place for those seeking routine—it’s for those who thrive under pressure and are driven by transformative outcomes.

Innovation at Speed

We exist to outpace the speed of innovation in our industry. By harnessing advanced AI and automation, we craft data-driven marketing strategies that continually push the boundaries of speed, ROI, and scalability. WKND’s work culture is defined by accountability, rapid experimentation, and a commitment to continuous improvement—setting new standards for acquisition and retention.

Uncompromising Standards

Our team acts with a founder’s mentality—taking full ownership of their work and upholding exceptionally high standards. Collaboration, precision, and simplicity fuel our execution. Every process we design is built to scale without unnecessary complexity, ensuring each solution is as potent as it is elegant.

Customer-Centric Mission

Our clients’ success is our driving force. We’re obsessed with creating exceptional experiences that empower global DTC brands to attract, convert, and retain customers at scale. From high-performing ad campaigns and creative iterations to AI-driven marketing solutions, we’re laser-focused on delivering strategies that surpass expectations and fuel sustained growth.

Visionary Thinking

At WKND, we don’t just look at where marketing stands today—we anticipate where it’s going tomorrow. We operate with a forward-thinking mindset, exploring how AI and emerging tech will reshape both acquisition and retention strategies over the next decade. Join us in laying the foundation for the future of eCommerce growth.

This is your chance to be part of a team where excellence is non-negotiable, and rewards are directly tied to performance. If you’re ready to tackle challenges, push boundaries, and define the future of data-driven marketing, WKND is where you belong. We don’t just aim to compete—we aim to lead.

The Power of Communication

At WKND, clear, proactive communication is the backbone of our high-performance culture. We believe in staying ahead of potential issues rather than reacting after problems arise. By sharing insights, challenges, and wins early and often, we maintain transparency, solve complex problems faster, and keep our teams fully aligned. This approach fosters accountability not just within individual departments but across the entire organization—everyone owns their deliverables while working cohesively toward common objectives.

As a consultative expert, you will bridge the gap between our internal strategies and our external partners’ growth initiatives and business goals. This involves active listening—genuinely hearing and understanding each stakeholder’s perspective—then offering thoughtful recommendations that drive both short-term impact and long-term success. By practicing intentional thought partnership and close collaboration, you’ll build strong, trusting relationships that ensure our clients feel heard, supported, and set up for success. Ultimately, this culture of open dialogue and empathy elevates everyone’s contributions—enabling us to deliver world-class outcomes at speed.

Why Join WKND?

• Build Innovative SaaS Solutions
  Contribute to developing scalable software designed for global eCommerce markets.
  
• Solve Mission-Critical Challenges
  Address complex acquisition and business challenges using AI-powered tools that drive efficiency, engagement, and ROI.
  
• Pace of Innovation
  Operate at the cutting edge of AI technology, where bold thinking and agility are the keys to success.
  
• Performance-Based Rewards
  Benefit from a competitive compensation structure with stock options, directly aligning your growth with our company’s trajectory.
  
• Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
  Collaborate with a team that values meaningful outcomes over mere effort and recognizes truly exceptional results.

Role Overview

Join WKND, a boundary-pushing agency where data, creativity, and cutting-edge technology collide to deliver transformative results for our global clients. As our Paid Media Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of innovation—driving strategic campaigns across major digital platforms, leading a high-impact media team, and shaping the future of performance marketing. If you’re an ambitious leader passionate about scaling brands, innovating with AI, and empowering teams to reach new heights, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Campaign Strategy & Execution Excellence: Lead the strategic development and execution of multi-channel paid media campaigns, including audience segmentation, targeting, messaging, budgeting, and optimization. Ensure all strategies are aligned with business objectives and client goals, driving measurable outcomes across digital platforms.
  
• Seamless Collaboration with Creative Teams: Partner closely with creative teams—including designers, copywriters, and video producers—to ensure ad creatives are compelling, on-brand, and resonate with the target audience. Drive the alignment of creative direction with performance objectives, ensuring every creative asset is optimized for maximum engagement, conversions, and ROI.
  
• Performance Optimization & Innovation: Set and maintain ambitious campaign benchmarks, continually monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing performance. Identify and implement key opportunities for scaling, testing new strategies, and adjusting targeting and bidding techniques to drive higher performance and exceed client KPIs. Leverage A/B testing, audience insights, and data analysis to evolve strategies in real time.
  
• Revenue & Spend Target Mastery: Take full ownership of campaign budgets, ensuring they are spent efficiently and in alignment with client goals. Regularly monitor and adjust budgets to ensure campaigns are performing at their highest potential. Ensure consistent achievement of at least 90% of revenue and spend targets, driving substantial growth, profitability, and ROI.
  
• Advanced Data Analysis & Reporting: Use advanced analytics platforms and tools to track key performance metrics across multiple channels and campaigns. Regularly review and present in-depth performance reports, translating complex data into actionable insights. Propose data-driven optimizations and strategic pivots to enhance campaign performance.
  
• Cross-Platform Strategy Development: Lead the development of integrated strategies across multiple ad platforms (Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc.), ensuring cohesive messaging, audience targeting, and cross-platform optimization. Utilize platform-specific best practices to tailor strategies for each channel while maintaining a unified approach.
  
• Client Relationship & Communication: Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, ensuring transparent communication and regular updates on campaign performance. Build strong, long-term relationships by actively listening to client feedback, understanding evolving business needs, and proposing new strategies and opportunities for growth.
  
• Scaling & Growth Initiatives: Identify opportunities for campaign scaling and business expansion by analyzing trends, testing new strategies, and leveraging emerging technologies. Develop long-term growth plans for clients that ensure continued success across digital marketing channels.
  
• Risk Mitigation & Agile Decision Making: Proactively identify potential risks and challenges in campaign performance or budget allocation. Utilize data and insights to make quick, informed decisions, adjusting strategies and budgets to mitigate risks while maintaining high performance.
  
• Leadership & Team Management: Lead and mentor junior media buyers and campaign managers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. Provide guidance on strategy execution, optimization techniques, and professional development, ensuring the team consistently meets performance targets.

Client Partnership & Communication

• Primary Client Contact & Trusted Authority: Serve as the go-to expert for clients, taking full ownership of campaign planning, execution, and optimization. Provide strategic leadership by delivering real-time performance updates and offering expert recommendations to ensure campaigns align with client objectives and drive substantial results. Become a true partner in their success, anticipating needs and offering proactive solutions.
• Insightful, Data-Driven Reporting & Presentations: Develop in-depth, visually compelling reports that do more than just interpret data—they uncover key trends and translate them into actionable insights. Provide clients with clear, concise presentations that empower them to make informed, impactful decisions, ensuring transparency and fostering trust with every interaction.
• Building Strong, Lasting Client Relationships: Establish and nurture deep, enduring client relationships founded on trust, reliability, and transparent communication. Continuously demonstrate unwavering commitment to meeting client needs by offering high-quality service, anticipating challenges, and providing solutions that align with their evolving business goals. Prioritize long-term client success by positioning yourself as a trusted advisor and key partner.
• Proactive Strategic Consultation: Act as a strategic partner to your clients, guiding them through complex decisions and helping them navigate the digital landscape. Stay attuned to their changing objectives, using data and industry insights to recommend new opportunities, refine strategies, and ensure ongoing alignment with their goals.
• Exemplary Communication & Transparency: Lead the communication process by ensuring clients are consistently informed with clear, transparent, and timely updates. Foster a collaborative atmosphere where clients feel heard, valued, and supported at every stage of the campaign journey.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Real-Time Dashboards & Performance Monitoring: Leverage advanced analytics platforms to track and monitor campaign performance in real time, providing immediate access to key metrics and trends. Deliver clear, actionable insights that empower stakeholders to make data-backed decisions and quickly adjust strategies for optimal results. Ensure full transparency in campaign performance with real-time updates, driving agility and responsiveness.
• Actionable Insights & Relentless Optimization: Synthesize data from various sources—ads, landing pages, audience segments, and more—to uncover emerging trends and interpret key performance drivers. Develop targeted optimization plans that not only enhance campaign performance but also push beyond client expectations. Constantly refine and iterate on strategies to ensure continuous growth and exceed KPIs.
• Cross-Functional Data Collaboration & Strategic Alignment: Collaborate closely with Data Analysts to dive deep into user behavior and funnel performance. Leverage insights to uncover long-term growth opportunities and ensure every campaign is underpinned by comprehensive, data-driven strategies. Work across teams to integrate various data points, aligning insights from marketing, sales, and customer behavior to create a holistic, high-impact strategy.
• Comprehensive Data Integration & Decision-Making: Bring together data from multiple platforms and sources to form a unified view of campaign performance. Use these insights to make proactive, informed decisions that optimize spend, improve targeting, and scale successful campaigns, ensuring maximum ROI and long-term client success.
• Advanced Reporting & Strategic Communication: Build robust reporting frameworks that clearly communicate performance trends, actionable insights, and areas for optimization. Present findings in a way that is accessible and actionable for all stakeholders, driving strategic discussions that lead to faster decision-making and better campaign outcomes.

Industry & Platform Expertise

• Ad Network Mastery & Strategic Adaptation: Continuously stay ahead of trends by proactively monitoring and adapting to changes across key platforms such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, and other emerging channels. Stay informed about algorithm changes, feature rollouts, and betas to ensure your campaigns are optimized for the latest platform capabilities. Anticipate shifts in the digital landscape to adjust strategies and maintain competitive advantage.
• Innovate, Lead & Drive Campaign Expansion: Identify and propose breakthrough strategies to expand client campaigns across multiple channels. Leverage the latest AI-powered tools, automation technologies, and advanced data analysis to refine targeting, improve bidding strategies, and scale campaigns. Take the lead in transforming traditional strategies into innovative approaches that maximize performance and stay ahead of industry shifts.
• Comprehensive Market Research & Competitive Intelligence: Lead the development of data-driven strategies by conducting deep market research and competitive analysis. Analyze consumer behavior, competitor activity, industry shifts, and emerging trends to craft campaigns that not only resonate with audiences but position clients as leaders in their respective markets. Continuously refine strategies to ensure alignment with long-term business goals and future-proof success.
• Advanced Platform Expertise & Cross-Channel Synergy: Demonstrate expert-level knowledge of the most impactful platforms, including advanced tactics on how to leverage their specific features for optimal performance. This includes managing complex integrations, utilizing platform betas for testing new ad formats, and cross-channel strategies to drive superior results.
• Data-Driven Innovation: Harness AI, machine learning, and big data to craft tailored, high-performing campaigns that learn and evolve with every click. Bring fresh insights into the design and execution of campaigns, testing new audience segments, advanced targeting, and personalized ad delivery methods to push the envelope on performance.

Budget Management & Forecasting

• Strategic Budget Allocation & Management: Lead the allocation and optimization of million dollar monthly ad budgets, ensuring that each dollar is spent effectively to drive measurable growth, maximize ROI, and align with client objectives across various channels and campaigns.
  
• Advanced Forecasting & Projections: Provide highly accurate, data-backed forecasts for ad spend and performance, leveraging historical data, market trends, and campaign insights. Present clear, actionable projections to both internal teams and clients, ensuring full alignment with business goals and financial targets.
  
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Proactively identify potential risks within budget allocation or market fluctuations, adjusting strategies in real-time to minimize losses and capitalize on opportunities. Develop contingency plans to maintain performance even under unpredictable market conditions.
  
• Cross-Channel Budget Oversight: Oversee ad spend distribution across various paid acquisition channels, ensuring balanced investments that align with client goals and deliver optimal results. Ability to shift resources between platforms (Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, etc.) to leverage high-performing channels while managing underperforming areas.
  
• ROI Optimization & Scaling: Use advanced data analysis to continuously assess the effectiveness of each campaign and platform, adjusting spend allocations based on performance to scale high-performing strategies and reduce spend on low-performing initiatives, all while achieving or surpassing established KPIs.
  
• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with clients, internal teams, and stakeholders to set clear budget expectations, provide transparent reports on performance, and adjust forecasts based on emerging trends and opportunities. Ensure all parties are informed and aligned at every step of the budgeting process.
  
• Long-Term Budget Strategy Development: Build and implement long-term budget strategies for clients, aligning with their growth objectives and scaling budgets in a way that supports sustainable, profitable growth over time. Drive budget innovation by introducing new platforms or strategies that maximize client investments.

Reporting & Insights

• Regular Performance Reporting & Data-Driven Insights: Deliver clear, concise, and actionable performance reports that not only track key metrics but also highlight trends and insights tied to specific recommendations. Ensure reports provide a comprehensive view of campaign progress, with data presented in a way that’s easy to understand and empowers clients to take decisive actions that drive further success.
• Actionable, Insightful Analysis: Beyond just reporting numbers, offer strategic insights that tie directly to campaign goals. Use data to identify areas of opportunity and suggest refinements that will elevate performance. Every report should act as a roadmap, guiding clients on how to improve and scale their campaigns with precision and purpose.
• Ongoing A/B Testing & Continuous Optimization: Lead the ongoing process of A/B testing across creatives, audience segments, landing pages, and offers. Use data-driven experimentation to uncover what drives incremental improvements, making strategic adjustments to optimize conversions, increase engagement, and improve overall campaign results. Prioritize continuous learning and adaptation to keep refining and enhancing campaign performance.
• Iterative Testing & Performance Scaling: Constantly experiment with new creative approaches, messaging strategies, and audience targeting techniques. Leverage findings from A/B testing to inform future campaign decisions, ensuring continuous performance growth and scaling for maximum ROI.
• Data-Driven Innovation & Strategic Adjustment: Integrate insights gained from regular performance reviews and A/B testing into broader campaign strategies, adjusting in real-time to capitalize on what works and pivoting from what doesn’t. Continuously evolve tactics to align with both client objectives and shifting market conditions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Weekly Agency Portfolio Strategy Training: Lead and participate in weekly training sessions, bringing together cross-functional teams to align on strategic objectives, performance reviews, and the latest industry trends. Foster an environment of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, ensuring all teams (Creative, Data, Retention, etc.) are aligned and equipped with the latest insights and best practices to maximize campaign performance.
• Unified Strategy & Execution Across Teams: Collaborate closely with Creative, Data, and Retention teams to ensure a unified approach to strategy development, execution, and optimization. Facilitate discussions to bridge any gaps in communication or understanding, ensuring all departments are aligned on campaign goals, messaging, and metrics.
• Cross-Functional Problem-Solving & Optimization: Act as a strategic liaison between departments to resolve any issues or inefficiencies in campaign execution. Ensure the integration of creative, data, and retention insights into campaign optimization efforts, improving performance and fostering a collaborative, solution-oriented work environment.
• Agile Strategy Adjustments: Collaborate with teams to adapt and refine strategies quickly based on real-time data and market shifts. Facilitate rapid response to performance trends, enabling the agency to pivot and adjust tactics across multiple channels in real-time, ensuring consistent results.
• Client Communication & Real-Time Collaboration: Maintain an open and consistent line of communication with clients through timely Slack updates, KPI reviews, and strategic pivots. Keep clients informed with up-to-the-minute campaign performance insights, facilitating proactive conversations about opportunities for optimization or adjustments.
• Cross-Team Alignment for Scalable Success: Drive seamless coordination between the Creative, Data, Retention, and other teams to ensure that every campaign component is aligned, optimized, and executed at the highest level. Foster a collaborative culture where teams work together to achieve campaign goals and deliver outstanding results.
• Internal Stakeholder Management: Regularly update internal stakeholders on campaign performance, key wins, and challenges. Ensure full transparency across the agency, enabling leadership and team members to make informed, data-backed decisions on campaign direction.

Management & Leadership Requirements

• 5+ Years of Proven Leadership Experience: You have a solid track record of leading and nurturing high-performing teams, with a focus on developing talent and empowering individuals to exceed expectations.
  
• Lead a High-Impact Paid Media Team: Manage a dynamic team of (8) Senior Paid Media Buyers, providing ongoing mentorship, troubleshooting support, and maintaining consistently high performance across campaigns.
  
• Expert in Forecasting & Budgeting: Oversee monthly spending forecasts, ensuring budgets align with client goals and adjusting allocations as necessary to optimize campaign performance and results.
  
• Strategic Goal-Setting & Initiative-Driven: Establish clear, actionable monthly, weekly, and daily targets, keeping the team laser-focused on achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) and driving long-term success.
  
• Thought Leadership & Collaborative Support: Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to your team, fostering a culture of innovation, open problem-solving, and strategic thinking to elevate performance.
  
• Accountability & Execution Excellence: Implement robust job scorecards and performance reviews, ensuring each team member consistently meets and exceeds ROAS/MER targets while maintaining the highest standards of execution.
  
• Continuous Performance Enhancement: Lead proactive initiatives to streamline workflows, optimize campaign processes, and drive superior client outcomes, consistently pushing the boundaries of success.
  
  

Who You Are

• AI-Driven Innovator: You’re passionate about leveraging AI and automation to push the limits of what's possible, always looking for ways to deliver scalable, cutting-edge solutions that drive success.
• Tech Visionary: You thrive in environments that challenge you to innovate, embracing new technologies and harnessing them to create transformative, future-proof SaaS platforms.
• Creative Problem Solver: You’re not afraid to think outside the box, tackling complex challenges with fresh perspectives and finding solutions that have a lasting impact.
• Collaborative Team Player: You excel in communicating complex ideas clearly, working seamlessly across teams, and contributing to a culture of open collaboration to achieve ambitious goals.

• Results-Oriented & Data-Driven: You’re obsessed with data, continuously interpreting metrics to relentlessly optimize campaigns and drive unparalleled ROI. You’re not just meeting targets—you’re exceeding them.
  
• Platform Proficiency & Digital Mastery: You’re a wizard across paid platforms like Meta Ads, Google Ads, TikTok, and more, with a sharp understanding of AI-driven optimization tools that push performance to new heights.
  
• Proactive & Adaptable: You’re always ahead of the curve, staying ahead of platform changes and anticipating challenges before they arise. You pivot with agility, turning potential obstacles into growth opportunities.

Requirements

• Education
  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or a related field (required).
• Experience
  5+ years of hands-on performance marketing experience in paid social (required).
• 5+ years of management experience
  Leading a paid media, paid social team or equivalent.
  Proven ability to scale campaigns, manage large budgets, and hit or exceed KPI targets.
• Technical Skills
  Highly knowledgeable in bidding/targeting automation tools.
  Proficient in Google Analytics and other ad management/testing tools.
• Soft Skills
  Excellent project management and problem-solving capabilities.
  Ability to structure complex, multi-stakeholder projects effectively.
  Strong written and verbal communication skills for client-facing and internal collaboration.
• Performance Culture
  Thrive in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
  Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and time-management skills.

At WKND, we believe in rewarding excellence:

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
  Calibrated to attract top talent who thrive under high expectations.
  
• Generous Stock Options
  Align your success with the company’s trajectory and shared prosperity.
  
• Performance-Based Bonuses
  Earn additional rewards for surpassing key design milestones and growth metrics.
  
• Access to Advanced Development Tools & Resources
  Stay on the cutting edge with the latest AI-driven design technologies.
  
• High-Performance Culture
  Be part of a team where your contributions are noticed, celebrated, and rewarded for driving real impact.
  
• Healthcare & Wellness Options (Available upon request)
  Designed to support your well-being and peace of mind.
  
• Flexible Work Environment
  Work remotely or in-office, as long as you meet deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
  

Ready to Shape the Future of Paid Acquisition & Paid Social—And Revolutionize with AI?

Join WKND as a Paid Media Manager and become the driving force behind high-performing, AI-infused campaigns for top DTC brands. You won’t just manage ad spend—you’ll mentor a talented team, pioneer cutting-edge strategies, and embed AI into every aspect of our workflows to supercharge growth. Be part of our bold shift toward an AI-driven SaaS model, shaping the groundbreaking companies of tomorrow while leading the next wave of innovation and industry disruption. If you’re passionate about delivering transformative outcomes, driving exponential growth, and guiding a team to new heights, WKND is where you belong. We don’t just aim to compete—we aim to lead.

Apply now to architect top-tier campaigns, harness AI-driven optimizations, and reshape eCommerce marketing—fueling both company and client success in our fast-paced, high-performance environment.