Manager, Paid Search (SEM)

Ovative Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office access: MSP, NYC, CHI

Travel to Minneapolis HQ

Generous vacation policy

401k match

Comprehensive health insurance

Fertility & parenting benefits

Monthly phone data stipend

Sabbatical program

Charitable giving program

Shenanigan’s Day

Job summary

Ovative Group, a leading independent media, measurement, and creative firm, seeks a Paid Search Manager to drive enterprise-level SEM programs for major clients. You will own client relationships, define KPIs, and lead a team across paid search initiatives, collaborating with SEO and upper-funnel teams to deliver holistic strategies.

The role emphasizes proactive optimization, testing, and partnering with technology providers to stay ahead of industry trends.

Qualifications

• 5–6+ years of experience directly responsible for enterprise-level paid search marketing (SEM) programs.
• Proven track record of success driving strong positive results through paid search marketing programs.
• Proven mastery of: Performance-based, direct-response search marketing programs.
• Execution with paid search tools (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, etc.).
• External partner management (Google, Microsoft, technology partners, etc.).
• Previous experience in performance marketing, retail, eCommerce, etc. preferred
• Experience managing direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Own, manage and grow client relationships for Ovative Group’s largest clients.
• Lead day-to-day management of client paid search programs; define objectives, tactics and KPIs.
• Develop and deliver client communications; build trust and credibility with stakeholders.
• Influence client strategies to evolve measurement and drive enterprise impact.
• Recruit, train and manage new Ovative team members; foster open communication.
• Drive cross-functional strategy with SEO, retail media, and upper-funnel teams.
• Guide optimization and management of paid search campaigns; plan and execute tactics.
• Identify new test and learn opportunities; develop AI-driven search capabilities.

Skills

Enterprise SEM

Paid search

Team leadership

External partner mgmt

Performance marketing

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

SA360

Job description

About Ovative Group:

Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm. Leveraging our deep industry expertise, we help brands like Best Buy, Domino’s, American Eagle, The Home Depot, Post, Disney, Tumi, Michael Kors, Boost Mobile, and UnitedHealth Group transform their media and measurement programs. The result? Profitable growth that speaks for itself.

At Ovative, we don’t just track data, we redefine success. How do we do it? Our proprietary MarTech platform, EMRge helps businesses transform marketing into a driver of sustainable growth. Powered by Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), our differentiated approach to holistic media buying, planning, and measurement, EMRge is the first MarTech platform to measure businesses holistically. We’re all about raising the bar every day, and it shows. Our work has been recognized by organizations like Digiday, Google, Inc. 5000, USA Today, and Search Engine Land.

About the Role:

Digital Marketing is a critical part of everyconsumerjourney, but many companies only measure its impact on their digital outcomes. Our approach to paid search optimization atOvativeGroupcan’tbe found anywhere else. We measure andoptimizesearch marketing campaigns at the enterprise level, both online and offline. Our clients are household names that span multiple industries, including retail, healthcare, education, CPG, and hospitality.

Responsibilities of a Paid Search Manager:

• Client relationship management:
• Own, manage and grow the overall relationship and performance of some of OvativeGroup’s largest clients
• Lead day-to-day management of client paid search programs including:
• Clearly defining programobjectives, tactics and KPIs
• Developing and delivering client communication
• Effectively manage client relationship andestablishtrust and credibility
• Effectively influence client stakeholders to evolve strategies and measurement approach to drive enterprise impact through paid search channel
• Team leadership and employee development:
• Recruit,trainand manage newOvativeteam members
• Foster a culture of open communication and 360-degree feedback
• Inspire your team and direct reports to reach their quarterly, annual, and long-term goalswith strong coaching and development aligned to their interests and goals
• Cross-functional strategy & thought leadership:
• Act as a subject matter expert for Paid Search strategies by continually evolvingOvative’sapproach to best practices; vetting and partnering withnew technologycompanies; managing planning and execution tools, and staying on top of emerging trends
• Partner with SEO, retail media, and upper- funnel teams to drive holistic searchstrategiesand impact
• Develop and drive forward multi-channel digital media strategies and roadmaps aligned with client program growth goals
• Support higher level, cross-functional marketing strategy projects by providing deep mediaexpertise
• Performance media management & execution:
• Guide, manage, and QA optimization and management of client paid searchprograms including:
• Strategy and campaign planning, integrated with allOvativeservices
• Campaign tactics and segmentation strategy, with a customer first mindset
• Algorithmic bid platform and manual bidding strategy and optimization tooptimizeto enterpriseresults
• Strategic partner management (Google,Microsoft, SA360, etc.)
• Activelyidentifynew test and learn opportunities within paid search to build onexpertiseand unlock new capabilities
• Custom analysis,reportingand insights that can scale across the channel
• Plan and activate as a true AI and Holistic search expert
• Partner with internal and external SEOpartnersto drive holistic program growth across platforms
• Adopt and scale internal best practices that best align to client goals
• Test andadoptionof AI-driven search capabilities (AI Max, emerging AI platforms, etc.) thatimprove business outcomes for our clients

Requirements:

• 5-6+ years of experiencedirectly responsiblefor enterprise-level paid search marketing (SEM) programs
• Proventrack recordof success driving strong positive results through paid search marketing programs
• Proven mastery of the following:
• Performance-based, direct-response search marketing programs
• Execution with paid search technologies tools (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Search Ads 360, etc.)
• External partner management (Google, Microsoft, technology partners, etc.)
• Previousexperience in performance marketing, retail, eCommerce, etc. preferred
• Experience managing direct reports

Pay Transparency

AtOvaptive, we offer a transparent view into three core components of your total compensation package: Base Salary, Annual Bonus, and Benefits. The salary range for this position below is inclusive of an annual bonus.Actualoffers are made with consideration for relevant experience andanticipatedimpact.Additionalbenefits information is provided below.

For ourManagerpositions, our compensation ranges from $90,000to $132,000, which is inclusive of a 20% bonus.

Benefits of Working at Ovative Group:

We provide strong, competitive, holistic benefits that understand the importance of your life inside and out of work.

Culture

Culture matters and we’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace for tenyears running because of it. We demand trust and transparency from each other. We believe in doing the hard and complicated work others put off. We’re open in communication and floor plan. We’re flat – our interns sit next to VPs, our analysts work closely with senior leaders, and our CEO interacts with every single person daily. Put together, these elements help foster an environment where smart people can support each other in performing to their highest potential.

Ovative is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can participate and thrive. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our policies reflect this commitment—for example, our medical leave benefits are inclusive of same-sex partners, ensuring equitable care and support for all families.

Compensation and Insurance

We strive to hire and retain the best talent. Paying fair, competitive compensation, with a large bonus incentive, and phenomenal health insurance is an important part of this mix.

We’re rewarded fairly and when the company performs well, we all benefit.

Tangible amenities we enjoy

• Access to all office spaces in MSP, NYC, and CHI
• Frequent, paid travel to our Minneapolis headquarters for company events, team events, and in-person collaboration with teams
• Generous paid vacation policy
• 401k match program
• Top-notch health insurance options, inclusive of same sex partners
• Family formation benefits including reimbursement options for fertility, pregnancy, and parenting needs
• Monthly stipend for your mobile phone and data plan
• Sabbatical program
• Charitable giving via our time and a financial match program
• Shenanigan’s Day

Working at Ovative won’t be easy, but if you like getting your hands dirty, driving results, and being surrounded by the best talent, it’ll be the most rewarding job you’ll ever have.