Paid Media Manager Lead | Remote for North American Universities

Atomic HR; Colorado; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work environment

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Atomic HR is seeking a Paid Media Manager Lead to own strategy, performance, and optimization for education-focused clients. You will oversee multi-channel campaigns and mentor teammates while driving innovation within higher education marketing.

The role requires strong leadership, analytics, and experience managing high-budget campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, Display, and programmatic channels.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Paid Media experience managing performance-focused digital campaigns.
• Strong expertise across platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads, Display, and programmatic advertising.
• Experience managing high-budget campaigns ($100K+/month preferred).
• Proven success developing and optimizing multi-channel campaigns focused on lead generation and conversion performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Paid Media strategy and execution across channels (Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, Display, YouTube, Streaming).
• Own campaign performance and ensure alignment with partner goals (inquiries, applications, enrollments, lead generation).
• Monitor performance, provide reporting, insights, and optimization recommendations.
• Identify and execute testing opportunities across channels, audiences, and creative approaches.

Skills

Paid media strategy

Campaign optimization

Analytics & reporting

Team leadership

Client communication

Job description

Company Overview:

Our client is a fast-growing performance marketing agency specializing in mission-driven organizations across higher education and nonprofit sectors. Since launching in 2020, the agency has built a strong reputation for combining strategic thinking, creative execution, and data-driven marketing to help universities and organizations achieve measurable growth.

In this role, you will lead Paid Media strategy and execution for university and education-focused partners, driving campaigns designed to increase inquiries, applications, enrollments, and overall student engagement. As a Paid Media Manager Lead, you'll oversee multi-channel media efforts, mentor team members, and help shape the agency's broader Paid Media vision.

Your Role:

As a Paid Media Manager Lead, you will own the strategy, performance, and optimization of paid campaigns across a portfolio of education-focused clients. This role blends strategic leadership, campaign oversight, analytics, and partner communication to ensure campaigns consistently achieve strong business outcomes.

You'll collaborate closely with Account Services, Analytics, and Creative teams while helping drive innovation and performance across Paid Media initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Paid Media strategy and execution across channels including Google Ads, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), LinkedIn Ads, Display, YouTube, and Streaming Media.

Own campaign performance for assigned accounts, ensuring campaigns align with partner goals such as inquiries, applications, enrollments, and lead generation.

Monitor campaign performance and provide clear reporting, insights, and optimization recommendations to partners and internal teams.

Identify and execute ongoing testing opportunities across channels, audiences, and creative approaches to improve results.

Collaborate with creative, analytics, and account teams to ensure smooth execution and strong campaign performance.

Support and mentor junior Paid Media team members while helping maintain high execution standards.

Stay informed on Paid Media trends, platform updates, and innovations within higher education marketing.

You Bring:

5+ years of Paid Media experience managing performance-focused digital campaigns.

Strong expertise across platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads, Display, and programmatic advertising.

Experience managing high-budget campaigns ($100K+/month preferred).

Proven success developing and optimizing multi-channel campaigns focused on lead generation and conversion performance.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable strategic recommendations.

Experience presenting campaign performance and strategy recommendations to clients or senior stakeholders.

Excellent organizational and project management skills across multiple active accounts and campaigns.

Strong written and spoken English communication skills.

Experience working within agency environments or fast-paced marketing teams.

Bonus Points:

Experience working with universities, online education brands, or higher education institutions.

Familiarity with adult learner and student recruitment marketing strategies.

Experience with forecasting, media planning, and budget pacing management.

Knowledge of streaming media and emerging digital advertising channels.

Experience mentoring or managing junior Paid Media team members.

What's Offered:

Fully remote work environment.

Competitive compensation based on experience and scope.

The opportunity to work on mission-driven campaigns that directly impact education and student growth.

A collaborative, high-performance culture focused on innovation, service, and continuous improvement.

Strong opportunities for leadership growth and strategic ownership.

Interview Process:

Introductory Call: Initial conversation to discuss your background, Paid Media expertise, and leadership experience.

Paid Media Interview: Deep dive into campaign strategy, optimization approach, reporting, and performance management experience.

Team Interview: Meet cross-functional team members and discuss collaboration style and workflow management.

Leadership Interview: Final conversation focused on long-term fit and strategic thinking.

Offer Stage: Final compensation discussion and onboarding process.

This is an immediate hire for someone excited to lead high-impact education marketing campaigns and help mission-driven organizations grow through best-in-class Paid Media strategy.