Manager, Paid Search

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

$75K/yr – $108K/yrSenior Level3+ years expFull time

Posted 5 weeks ago

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Job Summary

Own paid search optimization and multi‑campaign ownership with AI‑assisted bidding, testing, and cross‑functional delivery decisions.

  • Campaign and team ownership: run activation through post‑buy analysis and lead a paid search squad.
  • Client leadership: build trusted relationships and align on performance and delivery expectations.
  • AI and testing: leverage smart bidding, audience signals, forecasting, and ML‑informed tests with human judgment.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Direct and manage the daily workflow of paid search campaigns, including proposal development, campaign activation, ongoing optimization, and post-buy analysis.
  • Supervise and support a team of paid search practitioners, providing guidance on execution, prioritization, and performance management.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with peers and partners across the organization to ensure integrated and effective delivery.
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted partner and ensuring expectations are consistently met or exceeded.
  • Apply paid search expertise to identify client needs, performance opportunities, and solutions, adapting approaches as business realities evolve.
  • Lead optimization and performance recommendations based on reporting, analysis, and platform insights.
  • Utilize AI-powered platform features, such as smart bidding, audience signals, and performance forecasting, to drive efficiency and improve campaign outcomes.
  • Support testing strategies informed by machine-learning insights while applying human judgment to interpret results and guide next steps.
  • Develop budget and performance projections for testing new search partners, tactics, or technologies.
  • Provide recommendations for leveraging paid search in support of new client objectives, campaigns, or initiatives.

Requirements

  • 3+ years of biddable media experience with a focus on paid search.
  • 1+ year of hands-on experience managing and optimizing paid search campaigns across major platforms.
  • Experience applying paid search across both brand-building and direct response objectives.
  • Understanding of traditional and digital media planning principles.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
  • Resourceful, curious, and motivated, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred

Preferred

  • Prior people management or leadership experience preferred.

Benefits

  • The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:
  • Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
  • Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
  • Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
  • Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
  • Matching Gifts programs
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • 'Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
  • Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances
Starcom logo

Starcom

3.7 Glassdoor

With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With almost 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellanova, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa, WK Kellogg Company and more.

Founded in 1936
Chicago, Illinois, USA
6.1K employees (2,084 in marketing)
66% recommend to a friend
59% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
20.1K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
43.1%
Direct
41.6%
Referral
9.1%
Social
4.6%
Paid
1.1%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~6.1K

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
1,983 (33% of company)
Median Career Experience
10 years
Median Tenure
4.5 years
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
34

Funding

Total Funding
$57.1M
Last Raise
$43.2M
Series A, 1 months ago

Funding History

  • Feb 2026
    Series A • $43.2M
  • Aug 2025
    Series A
  • May 2025
    Series A • $13.9M

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