Paid Search Manager

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.