📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Paid Search Manager
🔹 Company: Jellyfish
🔹 Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (with remote/hybrid work options)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-22
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (remote up to 60% of the time)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing client accounts and driving their success through innovative strategies
- Activating campaigns across various platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, etc.)
- Optimizing accounts daily and producing performance reports
- Collaborating with clients and internal teams to deliver exceptional results
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of paid search campaigns and a proven track record in managing large budgets for clients in an agency environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Activate campaigns with Google Ads (search, shopping, display, and video) or Microsoft Ads
✅ Run daily account optimization and growth
✅ Produce performance reports and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders
✅ Guide search innovation and testing initiatives
✅ Support in Quarterly Business Reviews with the client
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex data effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified (emphasis on skills and expertise over traditional degrees)
Experience: At least one year of experience in an agency environment managing large budgets for a client
Required Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of Google Ads (search, shopping, display, and video) or Microsoft Ads (Bing)
- Excellent Excel skills for data processing and analysis
- Strong client relationship management skills
- Ability to adapt strategies and plans to navigate unforeseen circumstances
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Google Analytics or other analytics tools
- Familiarity with automation and process improvement tools
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field may be beneficial but is not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: R450,000 - R650,000 per annum (estimated based on industry standards for the role and experience level)
Benefits:
- Custom Work Environment: Work remotely for up to 60% of your days and shape your day between 8am and 6:30pm with flexible working hours
- Growth, Your Way: Grow your career with one paid day each month for self-development and access to LinkedIn Learning with unlimited online courses
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours between 8am and 6:30pm
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on the company's internal budget and the candidate's qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services (Global digital marketing agency)
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Large, offering diverse teams and opportunities for growth)
Founded: 2005 (Over two decades of experience in the industry)
Company Description:
- Jellyfish is a global digital marketing agency that combines tech enthusiasts, creative minds, and media and data experts to empower clients along their digital journey
- The company prides itself on embracing diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, and reinventing media activation
- Jellyfish works with global clients, offering a unique fusion of tech, creativity, and data-driven strategies
Company Specialties:
- Digital Strategy
- Search
- Analytics
- Integrated Campaign Planning
- Design & Build
- Creative
- Conversion Optimisation
- Training
- Video Production & Animation
- Paid Media
- Email
- Google Marketing Platform Partner
- Programmatic Display
- UX
- AI
- Organic Social
- and Paid Social
Company Website: http://www.jellyfish.com
ASSUMPTION: Jellyfish's global presence and diverse client portfolio offer applicants the opportunity to work on various projects and gain international experience.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (requiring 1-2 years of experience in an agency environment)
Reporting Structure: Reporting to the Senior Paid Search Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (remote up to 60% of the time, with flexible hours between 8am and 6:30pm)
Growth Opportunities:
- One paid day each month for self-development
- Access to LinkedIn Learning with unlimited online courses
- Potential to work on global client accounts and gain international experience
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large, established agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (with remote work options)
Office Location(s): Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (with remote work options)
Geographic Context:
- Durban is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, offering a subtropical climate and a mix of urban and coastal living
- The city is known for its beaches, cultural diversity, and vibrant food scene
- Durban is a major economic hub in South Africa, with a strong focus on tourism, trade, and logistics
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours between 8am and 6:30pm
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers applicants the flexibility to balance work and personal life while still having the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in an office setting.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the team or additional stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills and knowledge of paid search campaigns
- Client relationship management skills
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Communication and presentation skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in managing large budgets for clients
- Demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail in your resume and cover letter
- Prepare examples of performance reports and data-driven insights to showcase during the interview
ATS Keywords: Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Paid Search, Campaign Management, Data Analysis, Client Relationship, Performance Reporting, Innovation, Process Automation, Excel, Account Optimization, Testing Initiatives, Business Reviews
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their resume and cover letter to highlight the required skills and experience for this role, using relevant keywords to help pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads (search, shopping, display, and video)
- Microsoft Ads (Bing)
- Excel
- Google Analytics (preferred)
- LinkedIn Learning
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is essential for success in this role, and applicants should be comfortable using them in a professional setting.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Move Faster: Embrace agility and innovation to stay ahead of the curve
- Move Smarter: Leverage data-driven insights and strategic thinking to inform decision-making
- Move Together: Foster collaboration and teamwork to deliver exceptional results
Work Style:
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Strong communicator and team player
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven environment?
- Are you comfortable adapting strategies and plans to navigate unforeseen circumstances?
- Do you enjoy collaborating with clients and internal teams to deliver exceptional results?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Jellyfish's company values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling career within the organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing large budgets and client expectations in a dynamic agency environment
- Keeping up with industry trends and algorithm changes in paid search campaigns
- Balancing remote work and office collaboration effectively
- Adapting to a fast-paced, data-driven work environment
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic agency setting.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Paid Search Manager vs. PPC Specialist: Paid Search Manager typically has more strategic responsibilities and manages larger budgets, while PPC Specialist focuses on tactical execution and optimization
- Paid Search Manager vs. SEM Manager: Both roles focus on paid search campaigns, but SEM Manager may have broader responsibilities, including organic search optimization and team management
- Career Path: Paid Search Manager is often a stepping stone to more senior roles, such as Senior Paid Search Director or Head of Paid Media
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the differences between similar roles and assess their career goals and preferences when applying for this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a global e-commerce client, driving a 25% increase in conversions and a 15% reduction in cost per acquisition
- Optimizing a large-scale paid search campaign for a Fortune 500 company, resulting in a 30% improvement in click-through rate and a 20% reduction in cost per click
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to deliver a successful quarterly business review for a major financial services client, presenting data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to improve campaign performance
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare examples of their work that demonstrate their ability to drive results and collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Paid Media Capability?
- How does Jellyfish support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Jellyfish approach work-life balance, especially with the hybrid work arrangement?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and gain a deeper understanding of the work environment and company culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight your experience and skills in managing large budgets for clients, with a focus on paid search campaigns
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Jellyfish's company values and work style
- Prepare examples of performance reports and data-driven insights to showcase during the interview
- 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.
