Company Introduction

WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Description:

WorldStrides is reorienting its Marketing organization around lead generation and pipeline growth — and Paid Media is the engine that will get us there at scale. As Senior Manager of Paid Media, you will own the full paid media strategy across all three segments (K-12, International, Performing Arts) and all channels (Search, Social, Display, Programmatic, YouTube). You have a test-and-learn mindset, a deep command of performance data, and the creativity to build campaigns that move educators and students. You will own significant media budget and be accountable for MQL targets.

Responsibilities:

Paid Media Strategy & Execution

Develop and own the annual paid media strategy across K-12 Domestic, International, and Performing Arts — aligning channel mix, budget allocation, and audience targeting to MQL and pipeline goals
Manage and optimize campaigns across Google Ads (Search, Display, YouTube), Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and programmatic platforms
Build a systematic test-and-learn framework — testing audiences, creative formats, bidding strategies, and landing pages to improve performance quarter-over-quarter
Expand into new channels including direct mail amplification and streaming audio where ROI warrants

Budget & Performance Management

Own the paid media budget — reporting weekly on spend efficiency, CPC, CPL, and MQL contribution by channel and segment
Build attribution models with Marketing Ops ensuring paid media receives accurate funnel credit
Manage agency relationships and platform partnerships, holding them accountable to performance SLAs

Creative & Landing Page Collaboration

Brief Creative on paid ad requirements by channel and test hypothesis — creative is your partner, not your vendor
Partner with the Sr Manager, Website Content to ensure landing page experience matches paid messaging and converts efficiently

What Success Looks Like

Paid media channels delivering agreed % of total MQL volume each quarter
Cost-per-MQL improving year-over-year through systematic optimization
Test-and-learn cadence delivering at least 2 validated performance improvements per quarter
Full attribution model in place with Marketing Ops by Q2

Qualifications:

5–7 years of hands-on paid media experience including direct budget ownership
Expert-level proficiency in Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and programmatic buying platforms
Demonstrated experience owning MQL or pipeline targets in a B2C or B2B2C environment
Strong analytics skills — you live in dashboards, GA4, and performance data
Experience managing external media agencies and holding them accountable
Experience in K-12 education, travel, or seasonal consumer categories with long consideration cycles (preferred)
Familiarity with Salesforce or HubSpot attribution and CRM integration (preferred)
Experience using AI tools for creative testing and media optimization (preferred)

Work Perks

Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match.
Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement
Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually
Opportunities for paid and discounted travel
Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities
Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations
Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave
Team Member Discount Program
Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below. Please note that this salary information refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting.

Actual compensation offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be determined based on a variety of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, business needs, and location and will be reflected solely in the candidate's offer letter.

Compensation Range$85,000—$95,000 USD

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.

WorldStrides

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