Manager Online Marketing – SEA (m/w/d)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Manager Online Marketing – SEA (m/w/d)

🔹 Company: Thalia Bücher GmbH

🔹 Location: Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: June 10, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving SEA activities and optimizing performance marketing campaigns
• Developing and implementing SEA strategies for national and international brands
• Analyzing performance reports and identifying growth opportunities
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and external service providers
• Staying up-to-date with trends and innovations in SEA

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and analytical mindset, with a strong focus on data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement SEA strategies for Google Ads (Search, Shopping, App) and Microsoft Advertising campaigns

✅ Analyze and report on campaign performance, including benchmarking and optimization measures

✅ Collaborate with internal teams and external service providers to ensure smooth campaign execution

✅ Manage product data feeds in our feed management tool, in collaboration with other marketing and sales channels

✅ Monitor and optimize campaign tracking and technical setup

✅ Stay informed about trends and innovations in SEA and develop innovative approaches

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A successfully completed degree in business, computer science, or a related field

Experience: At least 3 years of experience in SEA within B2C eCommerce or an agency environment

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in Search Engine Advertising (Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising)
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven mindset
• Excellent knowledge of performance marketing KPIs and eCommerce
• Familiarity with bid management (SA360) and feed management (ProductsUp) tools
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Google Analytics
• Fluency in German and English

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant industry experience and a proven track record in SEA will be prioritized.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €50,000 - €70,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Gestaltungsspielraum (room for personal initiative and creativity)
• Persönliches Wachstum (opportunities for personal and professional development)
• Sinnstiftende Arbeit (work that makes a difference)
• Agiles Arbeiten und moderne Unternehmenskultur (flexible working and modern work environment)
• Teamspirit (strong team collaboration and support)
• Vielfalt und Offenheit (diversity and inclusion)
• Treiber des Wandels (driving change and innovation)

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

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for mid-level marketing roles in Germany.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically book and media retail

Company Size: Medium-sized company with 501-1,000 employees

Founded: 1918, with a rich history and strong brand presence in the German market

Company Description:

• Thalia is a leading book and media retailer in Germany, with a strong focus on providing customers with easy access to a wide range of content and stories
• The company operates both online and offline, with over 500 bookstores and a comprehensive e-commerce platform
• Thalia is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and innovation, with a strong emphasis on personal growth and development

Company Specialties:

• Buchhandel (book retail)
• Einzelhandel (retail)
• eReading (e-books and digital content)
• and lesen (reading and storytelling)

Company Website: http://www.thalia.at

ASSUMPTION: Thalia's focus on content and storytelling makes it an attractive employer for individuals passionate about books and media.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development within the marketing department

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Online Marketing and collaborates with various internal teams and external service providers

Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of flexible working hours and remote work arrangements (to be discussed during the interview process)

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a senior or management role within the marketing department
• Expansion of responsibilities to include additional marketing channels or teams
• Opportunities for professional development and training within the company

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have a strong desire to learn and grow within the company, and will be proactive in seeking out opportunities for professional development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern and collaborative office environment, with a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance

Office Location(s): Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Geographic Context:

• Münster is a vibrant and culturally diverse city in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a strong focus on education, technology, and innovation
• The city offers a high quality of life, with a wide range of cultural attractions, recreational activities, and culinary experiences
• Münster is well-connected by public transportation and has a strong infrastructure for cycling and walking

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work arrangements (to be discussed during the interview process)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and collaborative office environment, and will be able to thrive in a fast-paced and innovative work setting.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call interview with the HR department
• On-site interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members
• Final interview with the Head of Online Marketing

Key Assessment Areas:

• Technical expertise in Search Engine Advertising and performance marketing
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Thalia's values and mission

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience and achievements in your resume, with a focus on Search Engine Advertising and performance marketing
• Tailor your cover letter to Thalia's mission and values, and explain how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the role
• Prepare for interview questions related to your technical expertise, analytical skills, and cultural fit

ATS Keywords: Search Engine Advertising, Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, Performance Marketing, Data Analysis, Reporting, Feed Management, eCommerce, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, Self-Management, Flexibility, Initiative, Team Collaboration, Trend Awareness

ASSUMPTION: Thalia's application process is designed to be fair, transparent, and inclusive, with a strong focus on finding the best fit for both the company and the candidate.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Ads (Search, Shopping, App)
• Microsoft Advertising
• Google Analytics
• Bid management tools (e.g., SA360)
• Feed management tools (e.g., ProductsUp)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with relevant tools and technologies, and will be comfortable learning new platforms as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Gestaltungsspielraum (room for personal initiative and creativity)
• Persönliches Wachstum (opportunities for personal and professional development)
• Sinnstiftende Arbeit (work that makes a difference)
• Agiles Arbeiten und moderne Unternehmenskultur (flexible working and modern work environment)
• Teamspirit (strong team collaboration and support)
• Vielfalt und Offenheit (diversity and inclusion)
• Treiber des Wandels (driving change and innovation)

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong focus on open communication and mutual support
• Data-driven and analytical, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to learn and grow within the company

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with a strong focus on open communication and mutual support?
• Are you comfortable working with data and using it to drive decision-making and continuous improvement?
• Do you have a strong desire to learn and grow within the company, and are you proactive in seeking out opportunities for professional development?

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will be a strong cultural fit for Thalia, with a passion for books, media, and storytelling, and a commitment to the company's values and mission.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large and complex SEA setup for multiple brands and product categories
• Keeping up with the latest trends and innovations in SEA and performance marketing
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external service providers
• Balancing the need for data-driven decision making with the need for creativity and innovation

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and will be able to balance the need for data-driven decision making with the need for creativity and innovation.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on SEA for a leading book and media retailer, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision making and continuous improvement
• Similar roles in the industry may focus more on broader marketing channels or have a more narrow focus on specific aspects of SEA
• Career progression in this role may involve expanding responsibilities to include additional marketing channels or teams, or moving into a management or leadership position within the marketing department

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative industry, with a strong focus on data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive SEA strategy for a new product launch, with a focus on maximizing ROI and driving sales
• Analyzing and optimizing the performance of existing SEA campaigns, with a focus on improving CTR, CVR, and conversion rates
• Managing product data feeds in our feed management tool, with a focus on improving data quality and accuracy, and driving sales and revenue growth

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have relevant experience and a strong track record of driving results in similar projects.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical day-to-day responsibilities of this role, and how they align with my skills and experience?
• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for Thalia, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the marketing department, and how can this role help to address them?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
• What are the opportunities for professional development and growth within the company, and how does this role fit into that trajectory?

ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will be proactive in seeking out information and insights about the role, the company, and the industry, and will use the interview process to assess fit and alignment with their personal and professional goals.

📌 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 experience and skills, with a focus on Search Engine Advertising and performance marketing
• Prepare for interview questions related to your technical expertise, analytical skills, and cultural fit
• 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.