Director of Paid Search Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Paid Search Marketing

🔹 Company: Blend Travel Marketing

🔹 Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 7-9 years

🔹 Remote Status: Fully Remote, Hybrid, or In Person

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading paid search marketing efforts for tour, activity, and attraction clients
• Managing and optimizing campaigns with a budget of ~$4-5 Million/year
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and execute search strategies
• Analyzing performance data and providing actionable insights
• Building and managing a quality control system for paid search efforts

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of hands-on campaign management and strategic leadership. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in paid search marketing and experience managing large budgets.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute paid search strategies for clients, ensuring effective targeting and optimization

✅ Manage and optimize campaigns in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and other platforms

✅ Analyze performance data, conduct research, and provide actionable insights and recommendations

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including account managers, designers, and writers, to develop and execute search strategies

✅ Manage and grow a team of paid search marketing specialists over time

✅ Ensure consistent and timely reporting, accompanied by analysis and action plans

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex data insights effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 7-9 years of professional, post-collegiate experience in digital marketing, with 6+ years of experience managing PPC accounts

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and Google Analytics
• Excellent analytical skills and experience with attribution models
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other analytic software and tools
• Experience managing campaigns in social advertising platforms
• Ability to manage and own strategy for multiple Google Ads accounts simultaneously

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with developers to configure attribution, eCommerce analytics, and cross-domain tracking
• Experience managing paid search accounts inside a full-service marketing agency

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in paid search marketing and be comfortable managing large budgets and complex campaigns.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000 to $130,000 a year (USD)

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Generous PTO
• Paid holidays (11.5 days)

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely or in the Madison, WI office

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the industry and location, with benefits packages that prioritize work-life balance and employee well-being.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising Services

Company Size: 11-50 employees

Founded: 1997

Company Description:

• Blend is a full-service marketing agency passionate about helping tour & activity businesses grow
• They focus on aligning strategy, branding, and marketing to foster growth and profitability
• Blend works with clients with $2m-$20m in annual revenue

Company Specialties:

• Google AdWords
• Search Engine Optimization
• Marketing Strategy
• Media Production
• Market Research
• Usability Testing
• Travel
• Tours
• Branding
• Social Media
• Video
• Tourism Marketing
• Data Analysis
• Web Development
• Brand Strategy
• Brand Identity
• Design
• Facebook Advertising
• Business Consulting
• Local SEO
• Conversion Rate Optimization

Company Website: blend.travel

ASSUMPTION: Blend Travel Marketing is a well-established agency with a diverse range of specialties, allowing for opportunities to work on various projects and campaigns.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with potential for growth and team management

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the leadership team at Blend Travel Marketing

Work Arrangement: Fully remote, hybrid, or in-person, with the option to work from the Madison, WI office

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to build and manage a team of paid search marketing specialists
• Opportunities to work on diverse campaigns and expand skills across various platforms
• Potential to take on additional responsibilities and grow within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of team management and career advancement within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid or fully remote, with an office located in Madison, WI

Office Location(s): 811 E Washington Ave, Suite 500, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, US

Geographic Context:

• Madison, WI is the second-largest city in Wisconsin, with a population of approximately 259,000
• The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community
• Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which contributes to the city's cultural and economic landscape

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely or in the office

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid or fully remote work arrangement provides flexibility and the opportunity to balance work and personal life effectively.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the leadership team, focusing on technical skills and cultural fit
• Case study or project presentation, demonstrating the candidate's ability to develop and execute paid search strategies
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Technical proficiency in paid search marketing, including campaign management, optimization, and analysis
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop and communicate effective search strategies
• Cultural fit and alignment with Blend Travel Marketing's core values
• Problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience and achievements in paid search marketing, with a focus on large-budget campaigns and strategic leadership
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required and preferred qualifications
• Prepare for the case study or project presentation by developing a comprehensive search strategy for a hypothetical client
• Research Blend Travel Marketing's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs

ATS Keywords: Paid Search, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Google Analytics, Campaign Management, Optimization, Analysis, Strategy Development, Team Management, Marketing Agency, Tour & Activity Businesses

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on paid search marketing expertise.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads
• Microsoft Ads
• Google Analytics
• Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets
• Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Ads Keyword Planner, and other keyword research tools
• Looker Studio
• ClickUp
• Slack

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are essential for managing and optimizing paid search campaigns, with a focus on data analysis and reporting.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Be Kind
• Deliver Excellence
• Keep Learning
• Take Ownership

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on client success
• Continuously learning and adapting to new trends and technologies

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with Blend Travel Marketing's core values, and can you provide examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
• Are you comfortable working in a hybrid or fully remote environment, and do you have the necessary self-motivation and time management skills to succeed in this setting?
• Can you describe a time when you had to manage a large budget and make strategic decisions to optimize performance and drive results?

ASSUMPTION: Blend Travel Marketing values a positive, collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on client success and continuous learning.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing a large budget and optimizing performance across multiple platforms
• Candidates may need to adapt to Blend Travel Marketing's unique company culture and work environment
• The role may involve working with clients in various time zones, requiring flexibility and effective communication
• Candidates may need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex data insights effectively

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong technical skills, strategic thinking, and effective communication, as well as a willingness to adapt and learn in a dynamic work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other paid search marketing roles in its focus on managing a large budget and optimizing performance across multiple platforms
• Blend Travel Marketing's unique company culture and work environment may present challenges or opportunities compared to other agencies
• Candidates with experience in full-service marketing agencies may have an advantage in this role, as it involves collaborating with various teams to develop and execute search strategies

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other paid search marketing roles, with a focus on large-budget campaign management and strategic leadership.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a tour and activity business with a $10M annual revenue target
• Analyzing performance data and providing actionable insights to optimize a Microsoft Ads campaign for an attraction with a $5M annual revenue target
• Collaborating with a cross-functional team to develop and launch a Google Ads campaign for a new activity, with a focus on driving bookings and increasing revenue

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that candidates may face in this role, with a focus on strategic thinking, data analysis, and effective communication.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical structure of a paid search campaign for one of Blend Travel Marketing's clients?
• How does Blend Travel Marketing approach targeting and segmentation in paid search campaigns?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to optimize a campaign's performance, and what strategies did you use to achieve this?
• How does Blend Travel Marketing collaborate with clients to develop and execute search strategies, and what role would I play in this process?
• What opportunities are there for growth and professional development within Blend Travel Marketing, and how does the company support its employees in achieving their career goals?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of Blend Travel Marketing's approach to paid search marketing, as well as their ability to work collaboratively with clients and cross-functional teams.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through Blend Travel Marketing's careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills in paid search marketing, with a focus on large-budget campaign management and strategic leadership
• Prepare for the case study or project presentation by developing a comprehensive search strategy for a hypothetical client, demonstrating your ability to analyze data, develop actionable insights, and communicate effectively
• Research Blend Travel Marketing's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs during the interview process
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.