Paid Search Manager
Location: London, UK (Hybrid, 3 days in office)
Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 per annum
Employment Type: Permanent
About the Opportunity
We're working with a leading global media agency in London seeking a Paid Search Manager to join a dedicated digital media team supporting a major international automotive brand.
The team manages significant Paid Search activity across multiple European markets, with a strong focus on performance, innovation and delivering consistent results.
This is an opportunity for a technically strong Paid Search specialist who enjoys hands-on campaign management while developing their strategic, client-facing and leadership responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the planning, activation and optimisation of Paid Search campaigns across multiple markets.
- Build, manage and optimise campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Performance Max and Demand Gen.
- Oversee day-to-day campaign performance, including bidding strategies, budget pacing, targeting and optimisation.
- Conduct campaign quality assurance (QA), ensuring accurate setup, tracking and delivery.
- Develop tactical media plans, forecasts and performance recommendations.
- Analyse campaign data to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Support the development and execution of testing strategies to improve campaign performance.
- Prepare and present performance reports, insights and recommendations to client stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal teams and offshore activation specialists to ensure efficient campaign delivery.
- Support and mentor junior team members, ensuring best practices and consistent quality standards.
- Assist with budget management, financial reporting and campaign reconciliation.
Skills & Experience Required
- Minimum 3 years' hands-on Paid Search experience, ideally within a media agency.
- Strong practical experience with Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
- Experience managing Search, Performance Max and other Google Ads campaign types.
- Confident building, optimising, troubleshooting and conducting QA across campaigns.
- Strong understanding of bidding strategies, campaign structures, keyword management and performance optimisation.
- Experience using analytics and reporting platforms such as Google Analytics 4.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
- Experience managing advertising budgets and delivering against performance KPIs.
- Comfortable working directly with clients and presenting campaign results.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Desirable Experience
- Experience with Search Ads 360 (SA360).
- Exposure to Demand Gen and advanced Google Ads capabilities.
- Experience managing Paid Search across international markets.
- Experience supporting or mentoring junior specialists.
- Experience with large-scale, complex advertising accounts.
- Automotive sector experience is advantageous but not essential.
What Makes This Opportunity Interesting?
- Work on a major international automotive account with significant media investment.
- Gain exposure to multiple European markets and complex performance challenges.
- Balance hands-on campaign activation with strategic planning and development.
- Work alongside experienced specialists across Paid Search, Paid Social, Programmatic and wider media channels.
- Contribute to testing, innovation and improving ways of working across a growing international media team.
Interview Process: Two stages, consisting of an initial interview covering experience and technical knowledge, followed by a practical assessment.
