Senior Paid Media Manager (Social and Search)
On-siteCape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Job Summary
Conduct thorough research and implement data-driven paid media strategies across social and search channels to maximize client ROI. Manage and execute high-budget campaigns on desktop, mobile, and video platforms while maintaining meticulous daily budget pacing and financial governance. Collaborate closely with account managers, consultants, and clients to craft media buying strategies, present performance insights, and troubleshoot technical issues within the Google Marketing Platform stack. Regularly assess campaign performance against KPIs and revenue targets, providing actionable optimization recommendations and comprehensive monthly reporting. Proactively identify new opportunities within the programmatic advertising space and ensure seamless integration across the full GMP stack for relevant clients.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in digital marketing with a focus on paid media strategy, including Social and Search platforms
- Strong experience in managing high-budget campaigns with a clear focus on ROI and performance metrics
- Extensive experience in optimizing cross-channel campaigns for video, mobile, and display advertising
- Ability to interpret GA4 data and leverage insights to optimize campaigns
- Technical troubleshooting skills related to buying platforms, with a focus on proactive solutions
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable strategy and reporting
- Exceptional client communication skills, with experience in presenting complex performance insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Marketing, Business, or a related field
- Ability to work closely with senior team members to take direction with campaigns
- Very diligent – staying on top of the details
- Ability to succeed in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Effective Technical Communicator: Able to distill complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders
- Passion for Digital Marketing and Ad Tech: Strong interest in staying ahead of online advertising technology trends and platforms
- Autonomous and Resourceful: Proactive in identifying opportunities, solving problems, and taking ownership of tasks
- Self-Motivated and Driven: Demonstrates initiative, continuously seeks improvement, and remains committed to excellence
- Composure Under Pressure: Ability to stay calm and maintain performance standards in high-pressure situations
- Team Collaboration: Works effectively with colleagues and consultants, while also being able to take direction and align with broader strategy
- Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributes to the team's growth by sharing insights, experiences, and expertise
- Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and professional in all forms of communication, both written and verbal
- Mastery of Specialized Knowledge: Consistently updates and applies in-depth knowledge of digital marketing and media buying technologies
- Competence: Delivers on promises, reliably meets deadlines, and focuses on finding solutions, even when faced with challenges
- Positive Attitude and Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions and demonstrates integrity and honesty in all situations
- Respect and Emotional Intelligence: Shows respect for all colleagues and clients, demonstrating emotional intelligence by understanding others' needs and emotions
- Team Spirit: Strong ability to build relationships, motivate team members, and maintain a positive, collaborative environment
- High Standards and Dedication: Consistently delivers high-quality work, displaying focus, organization, and attention to detail
- Adaptability Under Pressure: Thrives in fast-paced environments, remaining calm and effective under pressure
- Problem Solving: Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proactively finding solutions to complex challenges
- Independence and Initiative: Takes initiative and makes decisions independently within company guidelines, while being proactive in personal development and skill enhancement
- Continuous Learning: Displays an eagerness for knowledge, continuously learning from every situation to improve performance
- Constructive Collaboration: Contributes thoughtfully to decision-making processes and respects diverse viewpoints and inputs
- Earn Trust: Focused on maintaining and increasing customer focus, works with the customer in mind earning trust along each step with clients and colleagues
- Help Others Succeed: Makes an active contribution to a joint result (organizational target) or to resolving problems or conflicts. Think in terms of possibilities. Is able to solve issues and problems in a timely and effective manner, working as a team
- Dare to Lead: Is willing to improve individual performance and stimulate others to act accordingly. Setting the standard and example. Being solution driven
- Exceed Expectations: Carries out tasks without help from others; takes command of problem situations and aims to achieve more than the basic requirements
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working within a media agency in a senior PPC/Google Ads/DV360 /Search role
- Familiarity with Google Campaign Manager (CM), SSPs, and exchanges
- Expertise in performance marketing and lead generation campaigns
- Proficiency with Google Tag Manager 360 or other tag management platforms
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