Manager, Paid Search

Starcom; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Family Care for 12 weeks+

Adoption & Fertility support

Pet adoption support

Employee Assistance Programs

Tuition Assistance

Flexible time off and holidays

Work Your World program

Job summary

Starcom in Chicago seeks a Paid Search Manager to lead a dedicated team and oversee the execution, optimization, and reporting of paid search campaigns. You will translate performance data into actionable insights while collaborating with senior leaders to guide strategy.

You will leverage AI-driven platform features and maintain strong client relationships, delivering high-quality results and proactive recommendations across campaigns.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Prior people management or leadership experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.

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 to ensure integrated and effective delivery.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted partner and ensuring expectations are met.
• Apply paid search expertise to identify client needs and opportunities, adapting approaches as needed.
• Lead optimization and performance recommendations based on reporting and insights.
• Utilize AI-powered features (smart bidding, audience signals) to drive efficiency.
• Develop budget and performance projections for testing new search partners or tactics.

Skills

biddable media

paid search

analysis

communication

leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Company Description

Starcom is the world's first standalone media agency, a storied innovator that continues to lead the way for many of the world's best brands. Starcom has long been the professional birthplace and proving ground for marketing leaders – CEOs, CMOs, sales leaders, and technology pioneers – and we continue to drive the industry with peerless talent and relentless innovation. From the start, we've known that achieving growth for our clients requires understanding and connecting with real people where they live and work, in ways they value. In an AI era, we remain "Guided By Humanity," a phrase that describes our foundational belief that human expertise must remain in the driver's seat, supported by the best processes and technology. With our proprietary capabilities and Publicis Media's industry-leading resources and clout, we create ideas that move people and drive transformative business outcomes for brands.

Overview

The Paid Search Manager is responsible for building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with assigned clients while overseeing the execution and optimization of paid search campaigns. This role manages and develops a dedicated team, ensuring high-quality‑delivery across campaign activation, performance management, and reporting. This position requires a hands‑on manager with strong attention to detail, process discipline, and the ability to translate performance data into actionable insights and recommendations. The Paid Search Manager partners closely with Associate Media Directors and Directors to support strategic direction while helping the team effectively leverage modern paid search capabilities, including AI-driven platform features and automation.

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.
• Conduct and oversee monthly client billing audits to ensure accuracy and alignment with campaign delivery.
• Partner with Associate Directors to refine processes and workflows that improve efficiency within Starcom and across agency and vendor partners.
• Maintain strong relationships with platform and vendor partners to stay current on evolving AI capabilities, betas, and best practices.
• Deliver formal and informal training to team members on paid search fundamentals, optimization approaches, and platform updates.
• Stay informed on trends in paid search, AI-enabled media capabilities, automation, and client industries, sharing relevant learnings with the broader team.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Prior people management or leadership experience preferred.
• 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

Additional Information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

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

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $75,050.00 - USD $107,835.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 1/11/2027.