Manager, Search - SEM

Publicis Groupe; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Spark Foundry in the United States is seeking a Paid Search Manager to own day-to-day search campaigns for assigned brands, guiding strategy with the Associate Director and leading the Paid Search Analyst. You will drive budgeting, pacing, and testing, collaborating across teams to meet client goals.

Ideal candidates have 3–5+ years in paid search, expertise in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, and strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of paid search experience, ideally in an agency environment.
• Mastery of search platforms and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in core MS Excel functions (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data visualization).
• Proven leadership ability and strong communication skills.
• Certifications in search platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads).
• Experience with SA360 (preferred) and Kenshoo.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to account strategy, budgets, KPIs, and new tactics.
• Lead client relationship with day-to-day contact and partner agencies.
• Direct Search Analyst for keyword/audience research and campaign setup.
• QA and oversee trafficking of plans into search platforms.
• Oversee daily budgets, pacing, and bid adjustments.
• Develop and test optimization plans and new ideas.
• Support new business pitches with data and insights.
• Craft agency POVs tailored to clients.

Skills

Paid search

Leadership

Excel

Campaign reporting

Communication

Project management

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

SA360

Kenshoo

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

SA360

Kenshoo

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 role of the Paid Search Manager is to be the day-to-day steward of search media for assigned brands and lead search campaign development, activation, and innovation. The Paid Search Manager is expected to apply search mastery to deliver against client goals. The Paid Search Manager will work closely with the Associate Director in the development and communication of all search strategy while owning tactical execution. In addition, the Paid Search Manager is responsible for day-to-day management of the Paid Search Analyst, including both project management to ensure timely delivery of all tasks and career development.

Responsibilities

• Actively 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 Search Analyst to conduct and analyze keyword and audience research necessary to build a new campaign
• QA and oversee trafficking of approved plan into search platforms
• Ultimate oversight for all day to day budget and billing activity (pacing, Prisma management, draft billing, accuracy of budgets vs. strategy flowcharts)
• Responsible for Search Analyst’s management of campaign budgets, pacing and bid adjustments
• Development and recommendation of 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

• 3-5+ years of paid search experience, ideally in an agency environment
• Mastery of search platforms
• Mastery of all relevant tools for reporting, analytics, and competitive analysis
• Demonstrated expertise in core MS Excel functions (vlookup, pivot tables, data visualization)
• Proven leadership ability
• 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
• Demonstrates initiative/”hunger”
• Collaborative approach/attitude
• Certifications in search platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads)
• Experience in search platforms preferred – SA360 (preferred),Kenshoo

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 $120,159.00/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 11/13/2026.