PAID SEARCH & ANALYTICS SPECIALIST

M+C Saatchi UK; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

M+C Saatchi Group is seeking a detail-oriented Paid Search & Analytics Specialist in Chicago to support planning, execution, optimization, and measurement of paid media, with a strong focus on Google Ads. You will work hands-on in-platform, ensure accurate tracking, and translate data into actionable recommendations for campaigns across Search, Display, YouTube, and more.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years of hands-on Google Ads experience, GTM proficiency, GA4 familiarity, and a strong

Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years of hands-on experience managing Google Ads campaigns.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Ads, especially Search and Performance Max.
• Experience with Google Tag Manager, including setting up and troubleshooting tags, triggers, and variables.
• Familiarity with GA4, including events, conversions, traffic sources, and basic reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort working with performance data.

Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and optimize Google Ads campaigns across Search, Performance Max, Display, Demand Gen, and YouTube as needed.
• Conduct keyword research, audience research, competitive analysis, and search term analysis.
• Monitor campaign performance, pacing, budgets, bids, conversion volume, CPA, ROAS, and other key KPIs.
• Recommend optimizations based on performance trends, including budget shifts, bidding strategy changes, audience refinements, keyword adjustments, and creative recommendations.
• Support ad copy development and testing across paid search campaigns.
• QA campaign builds to ensure proper settings, targeting, tracking, budgets, and naming conventions are in place.

Skills

Google Ads

Google Tag Manager

GA4

Analytical skills

Detail oriented

Tools

Funnel.io

Looker Studio

Supermetrics

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a detail-oriented Paid Search & Analytics Specialist to support the planning, execution, optimization, and measurement of paid media campaigns, with a strong focus on Google Ads. This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable working hands‑on in‑platform, understands how tracking and analytics connect to campaign performance, and can help turn data into actionable recommendations. The ideal candidate has experience managing Google Ads campaigns, working in Google Tag Manager, and using analytics platforms to troubleshoot tracking, evaluate performance, and support reporting. Experience with Funnel.io or similar data aggregation/reporting tools is a plus.

Key Responsibilities Google Ads & Other Paid Channel Management

• Build, manage, and optimize Google Ads campaigns across Search, Performance Max, Display, Demand Gen, and YouTube as needed.
• Conduct keyword research, audience research, competitive analysis, and search term analysis.
• Monitor campaign performance, pacing, budgets, bids, conversion volume, CPA, ROAS, and other key KPIs.
• Recommend optimizations based on performance trends, including budget shifts, bidding strategy changes, audience refinements, keyword adjustments, and creative recommendations.
• Support ad copy development and testing across paid search campaigns.
• QA campaign builds to ensure proper settings, targeting, tracking, budgets, and naming conventions are in place.

TRACKING, GTM & ANALYTICS

• Set up and troubleshoot conversion tracking using Google Tag Manager.
• Support GA4 event tracking, conversion setup, and audience creation.
• Help diagnose tracking discrepancies between Google Ads, GA4, client websites, CRM platforms, and reporting dashboards.
• Work with internal teams and clients to ensure key conversion actions are being captured accurately.
• Understand how tracking quality impacts media optimization, bidding strategies, and reporting accuracy.

REPORTING & INSIGHTS

• Pull and organize performance data from Google Ads, GA4, Funnel.io, and other reporting platforms.
• Help build recurring reports and performance summaries for clients and internal teams.
• Identify key trends, performance drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Translate campaign data into clear, useful insights and next-step recommendations.
• Support end‑of‑month, quarterly, and ad hoc reporting needs.

DATA & PLATFORM SUPPORT

• Assist with Funnel.io data connections, QA, and troubleshooting where applicable.
• Support dashboard updates and data validation across platforms.
• Maintain clean campaign naming conventions and consistent tracking parameters.
• Help document tracking setups, optimization changes, and reporting processes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 to 4 years of hands‑on experience managing Google Ads campaigns.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Ads, especially Search and Performance Max.
• Experience with Google Tag Manager, including setting up and troubleshooting tags, triggers, and variables.
• Familiarity with GA4, including events, conversions, traffic sources, and basic reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort working with performance data.
• Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong attention to detail, especially with campaign QA and tracking setup.
• Comfortable working in spreadsheets, including basic formulas, pivot tables, and data organization.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and client priorities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Funnel.io, Looker Studio, Supermetrics, or other reporting/data aggregation platforms.
• Experience with Microsoft Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, or other paid media platforms.
• Familiarity with offline conversion tracking, enhanced conversions, CRM integrations, or server‑side tagging.
• Experience working in an agency environment.
• Google Ads and/or Google Analytics certifications.
• Experience with lead generation, B2B, financial services, healthcare, or other performance‑focused accounts.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The right person for this role is both a strong paid search operator and a practical problem solver. They know how to manage campaigns in Google Ads, but they also understand that performance depends on clean tracking, accurate data, and thoughtful analysis. They are comfortable digging into platforms, spotting issues, asking smart questions, and helping turn media performance into clear recommendations.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE

• Google Ads campaigns are launched accurately, optimized consistently, and monitored proactively.
• Conversion tracking is set up correctly and issues are identified quickly.
• Reports are accurate, organized, and supported by clear insights.
• Internal teams have confidence in the data being used to make decisions.
• Clients receive thoughtful recommendations that connect media performance, analytics, and business outcomes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early application is encouraged. Salary for this role is $75,000-$85,000.

ABOUT M+C SAATCHI GROUP

M+C Saatchi Group has pledged its commitment to create a company that values difference, with an inclusive culture. As part of this M+C Saatchi Group continues to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not and shall not discriminate, celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit, without regard for any personal characteristics.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please make us aware as part of your application.

All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).