📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Paid Search Manager
🔹 Company: CARFAX
🔹 Location: Centreville, Virginia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days in-office)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 25, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Intermediate (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (3 days a week in Centreville office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing and optimizing large-scale paid media campaigns across multiple channels
- Analyzing data and driving business strategies through reporting and analytics
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and paid media vendors
- Developing media plans and adapting campaign tactics based on market conditions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of analytical and creative thinking, with a strong focus on data-driven decision making and strategic planning.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reporting and analytics to drive short-term and longer-term data-driven business strategies
✅ Support the Senior Manager in developing media plans across multiple paid media channels, while managing and optimizing large-scale campaigns
✅ Showcase an understanding of paid media channels and adapt campaign tactics in real-time as goals and market conditions change
✅ Combine performance metrics with analytics data to monitor campaign goals and assist in developing media plans that align to the strategic goals of CARFAX
✅ Foster strong partnerships with paid media vendors to stay on top of the latest trends and keep campaigns cutting-edge
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of attention to detail and a test-and-learn approach to performance improvement.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Minimum 2 years of managing budgets in at least one of these platforms: Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, Bing Ads, and/or DV360
Required Skills:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Proven ability to leverage data to make intelligent, actionable business decisions
- Inquisitive mindset with a desire to dig and piece together data to find underlying causes
- Ability to communicate results, insights, and recommendations to the team
- Actively involved in collaborating with paid media and cross-functional teams
- High level of attention to detail with a test-and-learn approach to performance improvement
- Deep understanding of the latest trends, challenges, and capabilities in the paid media industry
- Self-starter with excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with enterprise-level campaigns across paid search, display, video, and paid social
- Familiarity with CARFAX products and services
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in lieu of formal education.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year (based on industry standards for intermediate marketing roles in the DC metro area)
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and generous time-off policies
- 4-Day summer work weeks and a winter holiday break
- 401(k) / DCPP matching
- Annual bonus program
- Casual, dog-friendly, and innovative office spaces
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible scheduling and a 4-day work week during the summer
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development (specifically, vehicle history reporting and car research)
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (large enough to offer growth opportunities but small enough to maintain a close-knit culture)
Founded: 1986 (with a rich history and established brand in the automotive industry)
Company Description:
- CARFAX is the leading source of vehicle history information for buyers and sellers of used cars
- Offers innovative solutions to help millions of people confidently shop, buy, own, and sell used cars
- Recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Virginia Business, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Company Specialties:
- Vehicle history reports
- Used car listings
- Car maintenance
- Car research
Company Website: www.carfax.com
ASSUMPTION: CARFAX's extensive experience and established brand in the automotive industry provide a stable and reputable work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Intermediate (with opportunities for growth and advancement)
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Manager – Paid Media
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Senior Paid Media Manager or similar roles
- Expansion of responsibilities based on performance and company needs
- Opportunities to work on diverse campaigns and learn new skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the marketing department and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Casual, dog-friendly, and innovative office spaces
Office Location(s): Centreville, VA (with remote work options)
Geographic Context:
- Centreville is located in Fairfax County, Virginia, approximately 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to major highways and public transportation
- Fairfax County is known for its high quality of life, excellent schools, and diverse cultural attractions
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible scheduling and a 4-day work week during the summer
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the senior leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Campaign management and optimization experience
- Communication and collaboration abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with CARFAX values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your past campaign successes and challenges overcome
- Familiarize yourself with CARFAX products and services to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company
ATS Keywords: Paid Media, Campaign Management, Data Analysis, Reporting, Analytics, Marketing Strategy, Budget Management, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Bing Ads, DV360
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at CARFAX is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best candidate for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Facebook Ads Manager
- Bing Ads
- DV360
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and platforms is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Customer focus
- Innovation
- Accountability
- Teamwork
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-focused and goal-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable working with large datasets and drawing insights from them?
- Can you adapt your strategies and tactics based on changing market conditions?
ASSUMPTION: CARFAX values a strong cultural fit and looks for candidates who align with their core values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple campaigns and projects simultaneously
- Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in the paid media industry
- Balancing the need for data-driven decision making with the need for creativity and innovation
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong time management skills, a proactive approach to learning, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other paid media roles, this position focuses specifically on paid search campaigns and requires a deep understanding of search engine marketing strategies
- CARFAX's extensive data and analytics capabilities provide unique opportunities for data-driven decision making and campaign optimization
- This role offers a clear path for career progression within the marketing department and the broader organization
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other paid media positions, its focus on paid search and CARFAX's unique data assets make it a distinct opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a targeted paid search campaign to promote a new CARFAX product feature
- Analyzing campaign performance data to identify trends and optimize targeting and bidding strategies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy for a major CARFAX event
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role, from tactical campaign management to strategic planning and collaboration.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the paid media department?
- How does CARFAX support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a hybrid environment, and how does CARFAX address them?
- How does CARFAX approach data privacy and security, particularly in the context of paid media campaigns?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working at CARFAX, according to current employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role, the team, and the company culture, helping candidates make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your past campaign successes and challenges overcome
- Familiarize yourself with CARFAX products and services to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your application submission to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
