Manager, Paid Search (SEM)

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Spark Foundry is seeking a Manager, Paid Social to lead day-to-day paid social for assigned brands, driving campaign development, activation, and innovation.

Reporting to Associate Director, you will guide Social Analysts, manage budgets and timelines, and help shape strategy with data-driven recommendations for clients, while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• 3+ years paid social media experience, ideally in an agency environment.
• Mastery of social platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in core MS Excel functions (vlookup, pivot tables, data visualization).
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Presentation skills are a must.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Excellent project management and organization skills.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Demonstrates initiative/”hunger”
• Collaborative approach/attitude.
• Certifications in social platforms (Twitter Flight School (X), Facebook Blueprint) highly preferred.
• Experience in social SAS preferred - i.e. 4C

Responsibilities

• Contribute to account strategy including annual budget development, KPIs, partner selection, new tactics, and tracking industry developments
• Gather the research and data needed to formulate tactical plan development and recommendation for client delivery
• Lead client relationship with day to day contact and partner agencies (where applicable) by ensuring a seamless communication process
• Provide direction to Analyst(s) to conduct research necessary to build a new campaign
• QA and oversee trafficking of approved plan into social platforms
• Maintain oversight of budget and billing activity (pacing, Prisma management, draft billing, accuracy of budgets vs. strategy flowcharts)
• Oversee Analyst(s) management of campaign budgets, pacing, and bid adjustments
• Develop and recommend optimizations and/or testing plans
• Pull data and research components needed for new business pitches
• Contribute to development of agency level POVs on industry happenings
• Primary party responsible for customization of agency POVs for individual clients

Skills

Paid social

Social platforms

Excel

Communication

Presentation

Problem solving

Project management

Leadership

Initiative

Team collaboration

Social certifications

SAS experience

Job description

Company Description

Spark Foundry was built during the most transformative time in the history of advertising and marketing. We deliver everything a traditional media agency has to offer and have grown into one of the world’s most successful agencies by helping brands evolve their marketing by leveraging identity, commerce, artificial intelligence, and more to connect with people. Transformation is part of our DNA. Spark Foundry’s start-up spirit delivers high-touch approaches and a never-ending desire to challenge the status quo. Combined with Publicis Media’s powerhouse soul leveraging connected data assets, advanced AI applications, and investment clout, we “Bring HEAT to Brands.” No other agency possesses the expertise that we do to address today’s most pressing challenges to drive business transformation through media.

Overview

The Manager, Paid Social is the day-to-day steward of paid social media for assigned brands and is responsible for leading campaign development, activation, and innovation. The Manager is expected to apply social mastery to deliver against the client(s) goals. They will work closely with their Associate Director in the development and communication of all strategy while owning tactical execution. In addition, the Manager is responsible for day-to-day management of the Social Analyst(s), including both project management to ensure timely delivery of tasks and career development.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to account strategy including annual budget development, KPIs, partner selection, new tactics, and tracking industry developments
• Gather the research and data needed to formulate tactical plan development and recommendation for client delivery
• Lead client relationship with day to day contact and partner agencies (where applicable) by ensuring a seamless communication process
• Provide direction to Analyst(s) to conduct research necessary to build a new campaign
• QA and oversee trafficking of approved plan into social platforms
• Maintain oversight of budget and billing activity (pacing, Prisma management, draft billing, accuracy of budgets vs. strategy flowcharts)
• Oversee Analyst(s) management of campaign budgets, pacing, and bid adjustments
• Develop and recommend optimizations and/or testing plans
• Pull data and research components needed for new business pitches
• Contribute to development of agency level POVs on industry happenings
• Primary party responsible for customization of agency POVs for individual clients

Qualifications

• 3+ years of paid social media experience, ideally in an agency environment
• Mastery of social platforms
• Demonstrated expertise in core MS Excel functions (vlookup, pivot tables, data visualization)
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Presentation skills are a must
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Excellent project management and organization skills
• Ability to work successfully with teams on multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Proven leadership ability
• Demonstrates initiative/”hunger”
• Collaborative approach/attitude
• Certifications in social platforms (Twitter Flight School (X), Facebook Blueprint) highly preferred
• Experience in social SAS preferred - i.e. 4C

Additional Information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

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.

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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 10/24/2026.