Senior Paid Search Lead – Performance Marketing

Pearson; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Performance Marketing to own and optimize paid search initiatives that drive student enrollments and product adoption. You will lead day-to-day execution, collaborate with agencies and internal teams, and push for continuous testing and optimization.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in paid search, deep expertise in Google Ads/SA360, and strong analytical and leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams toward efficiency and enrollment goals.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience managing Paid Search (SEM) campaigns.
• Expert-level experience with Google Ads and SA360; Microsoft Ads experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of conversion optimization, attribution and bidding strategies.
• Experience managing agency relationships and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.
• People management, leadership, and development experience.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day owner of Paid Search programs across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, and other search platforms.
• Execute and optimize campaigns to drive product adoption, student applications, and enrollments while meeting cost efficiency goals.
• Translate strategic direction into campaign plans, testing initiatives, and optimization recommendations.
• Monitor campaign performance daily and identify opportunities to improve volume, conversions, and cost efficiency.
• Lead keyword expansion, audience targeting, bidding, ad copy testing, and campaign structure improvements.
• Develop and manage a robust testing roadmap across campaigns and optimization strategies.
• Utilize AI-enabled tools to improve campaign efficiency and workflow.
• Collaborate with Analytics, Enrollment, Finance, and Marketing stakeholders.

Skills

Paid Search

Google Ads

SA360

Agency Management

Leadership

Analytics

Excel

Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Budget Management

Tools

Microsoft Ads

Google Analytics

Job description

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Performance Marketing to own and optimize paid search initiatives that drive student enrollments and product adoption. You will lead day-to-day execution, collaborate with agencies and internal teams, and push for continuous testing and optimization.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in paid search, deep expertise in Google Ads/SA360, and strong analytical and leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams toward efficiency and enrollment goals.