Head of Paid Search

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Paid Search

🔹 Company: Carmoola

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: June 23, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days remote)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Building and optimizing customer acquisition strategy across paid channels, with a focus on Google Ads
• Data analysis, campaign management, and leveraging AI tools to enhance performance marketing efforts
• Collaborating cross-functionally to align Paid Search targeting, bidding, and creative strategies with broader initiatives
• Delivering and optimizing video and static ad creatives independently

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in performance marketing, data analysis, and AI tools to succeed in driving customer acquisition and optimizing campaigns.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Build and execute structured testing and measurement frameworks for performance marketing

✅ Set up data pipelines to collect, clean, and organize acquisition data consistently

✅ Build and maintain automated dashboards for real-time performance monitoring

✅ Analyze funnel and campaign data to identify patterns, optimize spend, and improve outcomes

✅ Own and scale all Google Ads activity, with full responsibility for strategy, execution, and performance

✅ Monitor and optimize campaigns through a systematic, segment-level framework that supports rapid scale while delivering profitable growth

✅ Analyze full-funnel performance and implement a test-and-learn approach to unlock new opportunities

✅ Leverage AI tools to streamline creative production, automate reporting workflows, and enhance decision-making

✅ Experiment with generative AI (video, image) and predictive models to improve efficiency and campaign effectiveness

✅ Build and test automation scripts to optimize workflows across performance marketing activities

✅ Work directly with content creators to systematically improve ad production and the number of winning ads while adhering to brand guidelines

✅ Build and own a detailed performance marketing roadmap with clear goals, timelines, and accountability

✅ Align Paid Search targeting, bidding, and creative strategies with broader initiatives in brand, credit, CRM, and pricing

✅ Build and maintain dashboards and reporting for real-time insights and agile optimisation

✅ Support broader growth initiatives, including optimising App Store presence and collaborating with affiliate agencies

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy and responsibility, with the opportunity to define what excellent performance marketing at Carmoola really means.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD in a STEM or numerical subject

Experience: 5+ years’ experience managing and scaling Google Ad campaigns with measurable impact in a performance-driven environment

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of delivering and optimizing video and static ad creatives independently
• Fluency with key tools — Google Ads, GA4, Google Tag Manager, Meta Ads Manager, video editing tools, and creative testing frameworks
• Solid foundation in data and analytics, with experience using AI tools to drive efficiency and impact
• Structured thinker — imposes clarity on complex, ambiguous problems and navigates uncertainty with a clear, methodical approach
• Fast learner and self-starter — picks up new tools, strategies, and concepts quickly and independently
• Thrives in fast-paced, complex environments — comfortable with ambiguity and figures things out as you go
• Organized and deadline-driven — manages multiple priorities and consistently delivers high-quality results
• Positive, high-energy problem-solver — stays solutions-focused and maintains momentum even under pressure
• Open and collaborative — works cross-functionally and naturally brings others along with you

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with generative AI (video, image) and predictive models
• Familiarity with affiliate marketing and App Store optimization

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with AI tools and familiarity with affiliate marketing and App Store optimization could be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £90,000 - £110,000 per year (AI estimated based on role, experience level, and location)

Benefits:

• Options/equity package
• Hybrid working: 3 days a week in the London office

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an AI estimate based on the role, experience level, and location. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Car finance and fintech

Company Size: Not specified, but growing rapidly with over £240m raised from top-tier investors and helping over 11,000 customers get behind the wheel

Founded: Not specified, but has been scaling fast since launch

Company Description:

• Carmoola is reimagining car finance with a seamless, digital experience that puts drivers in control
• They offer a faster, fairer, and entirely customer-centric approach to car finance
• Carmoola has raised over £240m from top-tier investors and helped over 11,000 customers get behind the wheel

Company Specialties:

• Car finance
• Fintech
• Customer-centric approach

Company Website: https://www.carmoola.co.uk/

ASSUMPTION: Carmoola is a startup or mid-size company, given its rapid growth and focus on innovation in the car finance industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid to senior-level role, with significant responsibility and autonomy

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the leadership team and has full responsibility for Paid Search strategy, execution, and performance

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to shape and expand the role over time by delivering real results and unlocking new growth opportunities
• Opportunity to work cross-functionally and collaborate with various teams to align Paid Search strategies with broader initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in the heart of beautiful Primrose Hill, London

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom

Geographic Context:

• London is a major global city with a thriving tech and fintech industry
• Primrose Hill is a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood with easy access to public transportation and amenities
• The office is located in a creative and innovative hub, surrounded by other tech and finance companies

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and the opportunity to work remotely 2 days a week

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Carmoola is fast-paced, collaborative, and supportive, with a strong focus on trust, kindness, and ownership.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the hiring manager to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
• Technical assessment or case study to evaluate problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Final interview with the leadership team to discuss career goals, expectations, and next steps

Key Assessment Areas:

• Data analysis and problem-solving skills
• Campaign management and optimization experience
• Familiarity with AI tools and creative production
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the car finance industry and Carmoola's mission
• Showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking through relevant examples or case studies
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture

ATS Keywords: Google Ads, GA4, Google Tag Manager, Meta Ads Manager, video editing, creative testing, data analysis, campaign optimization, AI tools, performance marketing, customer acquisition, cross-functional collaboration

ASSUMPTION: The application process at Carmoola is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads
• GA4
• Google Tag Manager
• Meta Ads Manager
• Video editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
• Creative testing frameworks (e.g., Optimizely, Adobe Target)
• AI tools (e.g., IBM Watson, Google AI Platform, AWS SageMaker)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are essential for success in this role, and candidates should have experience with or be willing to learn these platforms.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Trust
• Kindness
• Ownership

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and high-ownership environment
• Collaborative and supportive team culture
• Focus on delivering high-quality results and maintaining momentum under pressure

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in fast-paced, high-ownership environments?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively and bringing others along with you?
• Do you maintain a positive, solutions-focused attitude even under pressure?

ASSUMPTION: Carmoola values a strong cultural fit, and candidates who align with the company's values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple priorities and consistently delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment
• Navigating ambiguity and figuring things out as you go
• Staying up-to-date with the latest AI tools and trends in performance marketing
• Balancing the need for rapid scale with delivering profitable growth

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and the fast-paced, high-ownership environment at Carmoola. Successful candidates will be able to navigate these challenges and thrive in this dynamic setting.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role focuses specifically on Paid Search, while similar roles may have a broader scope, such as Senior Marketing Manager or Growth Marketing Manager
• Carmoola is a fast-growing fintech company, so this role may have more focus on innovation and rapid scale compared to more established organizations
• Career progression in this role could lead to a Head of Marketing or Chief Marketing Officer position, with the opportunity to shape and expand the role over time

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in the industry, with a strong focus on Paid Search and rapid growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive testing and measurement framework for performance marketing
• Optimizing Google Ads campaigns to improve profitability and scale rapidly
• Leveraging AI tools to streamline creative production and enhance decision-making

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the types of initiatives a successful candidate in this role might undertake to drive customer acquisition and optimize performance marketing efforts.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy and organization at Carmoola?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Carmoola support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the Paid Search channel, and how can this role address them?
• How does Carmoola approach work-life balance and employee well-being?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, as well as assess their fit for the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Carmoola careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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