Paid Search Specialist

🚀 Job Overview

As a Paid Search Specialist at Power Digital, you'll be responsible for strategizing and executing Google Ads and Bing Ads campaigns for client accounts. You'll serve as a PPC expert managing significant advertising budgets while providing detailed performance reports to leadership. This role requires expertise in various digital advertising channels including Google Search, Display Network, Shopping, and Universal App Campaigns. You'll maintain successful client relationships while continuously optimizing campaigns to drive measurable results.

ASSUMPTION: Based on the disclaimer in the job posting, this position is for one of Power Digital's partner companies, not directly for Power Digital itself, though Power Digital is assisting with recruitment. The role appears to be client-facing, requiring regular reporting and strategic communication.

📋 Key Responsibilities

• ✅ Develop and fully manage Google Ads and Bing Ads accounts from concept to execution
• ✅ Create, monitor, and optimize paid text and video search campaigns
• ✅ Provide detailed performance reports to the CMO
• ✅ Communicate strategic insights, performance metrics, and recommendations to team members
• ✅ Monitor and analyze data from analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Facebook Analytics, etc.)
• ✅ Test and optimize keywords, bids, ad copy, and landing pages through A/B testing
• ✅ Develop or provide direction for landing page optimization to improve conversion rates
• ✅ Prepare and present weekly/monthly reports with actionable recommendations based on KPIs
• ✅ Continuously explore new methods to drive traffic and generate leads
• ✅ Stay informed of industry trends, channel developments, and best practices
• ✅ Spearhead improvements to PPC strategies and overall quality of work

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience:

• 2-3 years of experience in Paid Search (PPC/SEM), preferably in a digital agency environment
• 2+ years managing paid media budgets of $50k+ per month
• Experience handling combined annual budgets of $1M-$2M
• 1+ years in a client-facing, customer success, or sales role (preferred)

Skills:

• Expert-level experience with Google Ads and Bing Ads platforms
• Proficiency with Search, Google Display Network (GDN), and Universal App Campaigns (UAC)
• Advanced skills in Excel or Google Sheets
• Expert knowledge of Google Analytics
• Experience with analytics tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude (preferred)
• Strong familiarity with tracking tools (Google Tag Manager, UTMs, Facebook Pixel)
• Exceptional critical and strategic thinking abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong project management capabilities
• SEO optimization and programmatic advertising experience (a plus)

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Not specified

Benefits: Not specified

Industry Comparison: Not specified

ASSUMPTION: Paid Search Specialists in San Diego typically earn between $65,000-$95,000 annually depending on experience level and specific qualifications. This estimate is based on the substantial budget management responsibility mentioned ($50k+ monthly, $1M-$2M annually) and the 2-3 years of experience requirement, which suggests a mid-level position.

🔍 Company Context

Industry Position: Power Digital is a tech-enabled growth marketing firm that operates at the intersection of marketing, consulting, and data intelligence. They work with leading and emerging companies globally to drive revenue growth and brand recognition.

Company Size: Not specified, but the description suggests a well-established firm with significant client accounts and a diverse range of services.

Company Stage: Established growth company with a proprietary technology platform (nova) and multiple service offerings.

ASSUMPTION: Based on the comprehensive service offerings and management of "billions in media," Power Digital appears to be a substantial, established player in the digital marketing industry rather than an early-stage startup.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the CMO for performance updates and strategic guidance

Team Size/Composition: Not specified

Growth Opportunities: Not explicitly stated, but the company appears to value professional development, with opportunities to expand skills across multiple digital marketing channels.

ASSUMPTION: The expectation to report to the CMO suggests this is a position with significant responsibility but not senior leadership. The role requires collaboration with team members, indicating it operates within a team structure rather than independently.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Not specified

Geographic Context: San Diego is a growing tech hub in Southern California with a strong digital marketing ecosystem. The area offers a high quality of life but also comes with a higher cost of living compared to many other US cities.

Work Schedule: Not specified

Regional Considerations: San Diego's technology and marketing sectors have grown significantly in recent years, offering networking opportunities and potential for career advancement in digital marketing.

ASSUMPTION: Since no remote or hybrid option is explicitly mentioned, and given the collaborative nature of the role and client relationships, this position likely requires at least some in-office presence. However, the digital marketing industry often allows for flexible work arrangements.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process: For digital marketing positions at established agencies, interview processes typically include initial screening, technical assessments demonstrating PPC knowledge, case studies or campaign analysis exercises, and cultural fit interviews.

Key Assessment Areas: Expect to be evaluated on your technical knowledge of Google Ads and Bing Ads platforms, analytical abilities, strategic thinking, client communication skills, and performance optimization track record.

Application Tips: Highlight specific campaigns you've managed, including budget sizes, performance improvements achieved, and relevant metrics (ROAS, CPA, conversion rates). Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

ATS Keywords: Google Ads, Bing Ads, PPC, SEM, paid search, Google Analytics, campaign optimization, A/B testing, bid management, keyword research, Quality Score, ROAS, conversion rate optimization, Google Tag Manager, UTM parameters

ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard industry practices for digital marketing agencies hiring for mid-level paid search positions.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads platform (Search, Display Network, Shopping, UAC)
• Bing Ads/Microsoft Advertising
• Google Analytics
• Google Tag Manager
• Facebook Analytics
• Excel/Google Sheets
• Mixpanel and Amplitude (preferred)
• UTM parameter tracking
• Facebook Pixel
• Landing page optimization tools

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly mentioned, proficiency with bid management tools, competitor analysis platforms, and keyword research tools would likely be advantageous, as these are standard in comprehensive paid search management.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values: Power Digital describes itself as a "people-first firm" that values diversity, integrity, autonomy, and grit. They emphasize being "growth-obsessed experts who demand innovation and results."

Work Style: The job posting indicates a fast-paced, results-driven environment with a "win at all cost mentality." The role requires collaboration with team members and agency partners.

Self-Assessment: Potential applicants should consider:

• Are you comfortable in a performance-driven environment where results are paramount?
• Do you thrive on continuous optimization and experimentation?
• Are you able to clearly communicate complex data insights to stakeholders?
• Do you enjoy the challenge of managing multiple campaigns simultaneously?
• Are you passionate about staying current with digital marketing trends?

ASSUMPTION: Based on the company's self-description, Power Digital appears to have a growth-oriented, results-focused culture that values innovation and measurable performance. The mention of "win at all cost mentality" suggests high expectations and a competitive environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing large advertising budgets ($50k+ monthly, $1M-$2M annually) carries significant responsibility and pressure for results
• The role requires expertise across multiple platforms and campaign types simultaneously
• Regular reporting and client/stakeholder communication demands strong presentation and interpretation skills
• The expectation to "continuously look at avenues to increase performance" suggests ongoing pressure for improvement
• Staying current with rapidly evolving digital advertising platforms and best practices requires consistent learning

ASSUMPTION: These potential challenges are identified based on the listed responsibilities and requirements, and represent common stress points for similar paid search roles in agency or client-focused environments.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

This Paid Search Specialist role is similar to PPC Manager, SEM Specialist, or Digital Advertising Manager positions at other companies. Compared to industry norms, this role:

• Involves larger budgets ($50k+ monthly) than many entry-level paid search positions
• Places stronger emphasis on client reporting and strategic communication than purely execution-focused roles
• Requires broader platform knowledge (Google, Bing, potentially SEO and programmatic) than more specialized paid search positions
• Includes landing page development/optimization, which extends beyond the campaign management focus of some similar roles

ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry patterns for digital marketing agencies and in-house teams of similar size and scope.

📝 Sample Projects

1. Campaign Restructuring: Audit existing Google Ads account structure and implement a reorganization to improve Quality Scores, targeting relevance, and budget allocation efficiency.
2. Landing Page Optimization: Develop A/B testing framework for client landing pages to identify conversion barriers and implement improvements that increase conversion rates.
3. Performance Analysis: Create comprehensive monthly reporting dashboard that translates complex campaign data into actionable insights and recommendations for stakeholders.
4. Expansion Strategy: Research and launch campaigns in new channels (e.g., Microsoft Advertising) to diversify traffic sources and capture additional market share.
5. Keyword Strategy Refinement: Conduct in-depth keyword analysis to identify negative keywords, new opportunities, and optimal bid adjustments to improve ROAS.

ASSUMPTION: These project examples are based on the responsibilities listed in the job description and represent typical projects for a Paid Search Specialist managing accounts at this budget level.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

1. "How do you measure success for paid search campaigns across different client objectives and industries?"
2. "What technological tools or platforms does the team use beyond the standard ad platforms to enhance campaign performance?"
3. "How does the paid search team collaborate with other marketing specialties (like SEO or content) to create integrated strategies?"
4. "What is the typical client onboarding process, and how involved would I be in strategy development from the beginning?"
5. "How does the company approach professional development and staying current with platform changes and industry trends?"
6. "What are some of the most common challenges your clients face with paid search, and how does the team address them?"

ASSUMPTION: These questions are suggested based on typical considerations for paid search positions and may need to be tailored based on specific interview contexts and your own priorities.