Paid Media Executive (Search)

Sphere Digital Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Sphere Digital Recruitment is seeking a Senior Paid Search Executive to join its Digital Media team in a fast-paced agency environment. You will own hands-on management of Google Ads campaigns, optimise performance across Search, Shopping and Performance Max, and collaborate with clients and internal teams to drive measurable results.

Ideally you bring 1–3 years of paid search experience, a solid grasp of bidding strategies, reporting tools such as GA4/Looker Studio, and a proactive approach to

Qualifications

• Hands-on paid search experience in an agency setting.
• Experience with Google Ads, Shopping and Performance Max.
• Strong understanding of keywords, match types and bidding strategies.
• Ability to build, launch and optimise campaigns with data-driven decisions.
• Experience with GA4, Looker Studio or similar reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Build, launch and optimise Paid Search campaigns across Google Ads and relevant platforms.
• Manage campaign performance across Search, Shopping, Performance Max and other formats.
• Monitor accounts daily and perform optimisations.
• Manage budget pacing to avoid overspend/underspend.
• Analyse performance to identify trends and opportunities.
• Recommend changes to improve client goals.
• Support testing across keywords, ad copy, audiences and bidding strategies.
• Own day-to-day campaign management and optimisation.

Skills

Paid Search / PPC

Google Ads

Shopping & PMax

Budget pacing

Campaign optimisation

Keywords & bidding

GA4 / Looker Studio

Analytical skills

Agency environment

Tools

Google Ads Editor

Looker Studio

GA4

Job description

A leading digital and performance agency is looking for a Senior Paid Search Executive to join its Digital Media team.

This is a hands‑on paid media role focused on the management, optimisation and performance of Paid Search campaigns. The role will involve building and launching campaigns, monitoring performance, managing budgets, analysing data and providing clear recommendations to improve results.

The Senior Paid Search Executive will also have exposure to client communication, performance reporting and supporting junior team members where needed. This role would suit someone with strong Google Ads experience who is ready to take more ownership across campaign performance and day‑to‑day optimisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Campaign Management and Optimisation

• Build, launch and optimise Paid Search campaigns across Google Ads and relevant platforms.
• Manage campaign performance across Search, Shopping, Performance Max and other relevant paid media formats.
• Monitor accounts regularly and complete daily optimisations.
• Manage budget pacing and ensure there is no significant over or underspend.
• Analyse campaign performance to identify trends, issues and opportunities.
• Recommend and implement changes to improve performance against client goals.
• Support testing across keywords, ad copy, audiences, bidding strategies, landing pages and platform features.
• Take ownership of day‑to‑day campaign management and optimisation.

Reporting and Analysis

• Track key metrics such as CTR, CPC, CPA, ROAS, conversion rate and spend.
• Produce performance updates and reports for clients and internal teams.
• Translate campaign data into clear insights, recommendations and next steps.
• Create or update basic reporting dashboards where needed.

Client Communication

• Support day‑to‑day communication with clients within your area of responsibility.
• Provide clear performance updates and recommendations.
• Respond to client requests in a timely and professional manner.
• Build strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.

Innovation and Growth

• Stay up to date with Google Ads updates, Paid Search trends and new platform features.
• Suggest new tests, strategies and tools to improve campaign performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve client accounts and support account growth.
• Use automation and smarter ways of working to improve efficiency.
• Work closely with internal teams across paid media, strategy, analytics and client service.
• Complete tasks to a high standard and within deadlines.
• Communicate progress, challenges and blockers clearly.
• Support junior team members with guidance, task support or training where needed.

Ideal Experience

• 1 to 3 years of hands‑on Paid Search / PPC experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Ads.
• Experience across Search, Shopping and Performance Max.
• Comfortable with campaign setup, optimisation, budget pacing and reporting.
• Good understanding of keywords, match types, search terms, bidding strategies and conversion tracking.
• Experience with GA4, Google Ads Editor, Looker Studio or similar reporting tools would be beneficial.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in an agency or multi‑client environment.