Junior Account Manager / Media Buyer (Google Ads Focus)

TDMC (The Digital Media Collective); Durban; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

TDMC (The Digital Media Collective) is seeking a Junior Google Account Manager with a focus on Google Ads to join our performance marketing team in Durban. This entry-level role is designed for graduates or early-career professionals eager to develop hands-on expertise under seniors.

You will support Google Ads campaigns across e-commerce and lead generation clients, balancing technical execution with clear client communication. A data-curious mindset and growth potential are essential.

Qualifications

• 0–1 year of hands-on experience in paid media or digital marketing, including exposure to Google Ads.
• Understanding of Google Ads campaign types: Search, Shopping, Display and/or Video.
• Active Google Ads certifications in at least one discipline (Search preferred).
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data and optimise campaigns.
• Clear written and verbal communication to explain performance data to non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with GA4, conversion tracking, and basic attribution concepts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day management of Google Ads campaigns across client portfolio.
• Assist senior account managers as secondary contact for designated clients.
• Prepare monthly performance updates and participate in client meetings.
• Collaborate with internal teams on integrated e-commerce and lead generation solutions.
• Assist in campaign structuring, audience creation, exclusion lists, and basic conversion tracking.
• Set up and monitor Shopping feeds and Merchant Centre diagnostics.
• Analyse Search Term Reports and apply negative keywords; assist in A/B tests.
• Monitor budgets and spend to support fiscal responsibility.
• Track metrics like impression share, ROAS, CPA, and CTR; escalate anomalies.

Skills

Paid media

Google Ads

Data analysis

Client communication

GA4 basics

Looker Studio

GTM familiarity

E-commerce awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Advertising/Communications

Tools

Looker Studio

Google Tag Manager (GTM)

Google Merchant Centre

Basecamp

Job description

Join the team as Junior Account Manager / Media Buyer (Google Ads Focus)

See job specs below

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Junior Google Account Manager to join our growing performance marketing team. This is an entry-level role designed for someone passionate about digital advertising who is eager to develop hands‑on expertise in Google Ads campaign management under the guidance of experienced senior practitioners.

You will support the day-to-day management of Google Ads campaigns across a portfolio of e-commerce and lead generation clients, learning to balance technical platform execution with clear client communication. This role suits a graduate or early-career professional with a data‑curious mindset and a desire to build a career in paid media.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Relationship Management

• Supporting Contact: Assist senior account managers as a secondary point of contact for a designated portfolio of Google Ads clients, helping to build professional trust and rapport.
• Client Communication: Support the preparation of monthly performance updates and attend client meetings, developing your ability to present data clearly and confidently.
• Integrated Collaboration: Work alongside internal teams to contribute to integrated e-commerce and lead generation solutions.
• Accountability: Demonstrate transparency and a proactive approach in all client-facing interactions, escalating queries to senior team members where appropriate.

Media Buying & Technical Execution

Campaign Assistance: Support the planning, building, and optimisation of Google Ads campaigns (Search, Shopping, Display, and Video) to help achieve client objectives.

Technical Implementation: Assist with campaign structures, audience creation, exclusion lists, and basic conversion tracking setup under senior guidance.

Shopping & Merchant Centre: Help set up and monitor Google Shopping feeds and Merchant Centre diagnostics, flagging issues for resolution.

Optimisation Tasks: Analyse Search Term Reports, apply negative keywords, and contribute to A/B tests for Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) and landing pages.

Budget Monitoring: Assist with budget pacing and spend tracking to support fiscal responsibility across client accounts.

Data Monitoring: Track key performance metrics including impression share, ROAS, CPA, and CTR, escalating anomalies or performance risks to senior team members.

Reporting Support: Assist in the preparation of weekly and monthly reports featuring segmented data with clear, actionable commentary.

Testing & Innovation: Contribute ideas for testing and experimentation, sharing learnings with the wider team to help strengthen account performance.

Commercial Awareness: Develop an understanding of client business goals and begin to identify opportunities for account growth or additional services.

Role Requirements

Must-Have Requirements

Experience: 0–1 year of hands‑on experience in paid media or digital marketing, with some exposure to Google Ads (internship, placement, personal projects, or agency experience all considered).

Platform Familiarity: A working understanding of Google Ads campaign types — Search, Shopping, Display, and/or Video.

Certifications: Active and valid Google Ads Certifications in at least one discipline (Search certification strongly preferred); additional certifications are a bonus.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Analytical Mindset: Comfort working with data, interpreting metrics, and drawing basic conclusions to inform optimisation decisions.

Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain performance data to non-technical stakeholders.

Beneficial Qualifications & Competencies

Analytics Exposure: Foundational knowledge of GA4, conversion tracking, and basic attribution concepts.

Tools: Any familiarity with Looker Studio, Google Tag Manager (GTM), Google Merchant Centre, or project management tools such as Basecamp.

E-Commerce Awareness: Some understanding of e-commerce metrics and the online customer journey.

Curiosity & Initiative: A proactive approach to learning — whether through self‑study, certifications, or side projects — that demonstrates genuine passion for digital marketing.

Mindset: A growth mindset with a commitment to ongoing professional development and TDMC's People‑First Culture.