📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Paid Search Manager
🔹 Company: Dentsu
🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 16, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing paid search strategies aligned with client goals
- Managing and optimizing Google Ads and Microsoft Ads campaigns
- Overseeing campaign setup, optimisation, monitoring, reporting, and performance analysis
- Collaborating with internal teams and mentoring Paid Search Executives
- Staying updated with industry trends and platform updates
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership skills. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in paid search and a passion for developing their team's capabilities.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute paid search strategies aligned with client goals and objectives
✅ Manage and optimise Google Ads and Microsoft Ads campaigns to maximise performance and return on investment
✅ Oversee all aspects of campaign setup, optimisation, monitoring, reporting, and performance analysis
✅ Collaborate with Paid Search Directors and internal teams to refine paid search strategies and best practices
✅ Support the growth of Paid Search Executives by sharing expertise and best practices
✅ Represent the team in external and internal client meetings
✅ Stay ahead of industry trends, platform updates, and AI-driven innovations in paid search
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and collaboratively to deliver results.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) managing paid search campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads in an agency or client-facing setting
Required Skills:
- Expertise in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads campaign management
- Strong grasp of paid search principles, bidding strategies, and campaign optimisation
- Robust performance analysis and data-driven decision-making skills
- Demonstrated direct line management experience, including mentoring and workload management for at least two team members
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams
- Ability to translate campaign performance metrics into actionable strategic recommendations
Preferred Skills:
- Experience using SA360 or similar paid search management platforms
- Experience managing international search campaigns or multilingual PPC accounts
- Familiarity with advanced tools and formats such as Performance Max, feed-based advertising, AI-driven bidding strategies, automation tools, and SA360 Smart Bidding
- Proficiency in Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or data attribution models
- Exposure to other paid search platforms such as Apple Search Ads, Adobe Advertising, and others
- Adaptable mindset, with the ability to upskill and expand knowledge into new paid search platforms if required by clients
ASSUMPTION: While specific platform experience is valuable, the ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in paid search principles and be eager to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for mid-senior level Paid Search Managers in London)
Benefits:
- Private Medical Insurance and Dental Cover
- 25 days Annual Leave + Birthday Off
- Wellness and Volunteer Days
- Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover
- Pension scheme and financial education support
- Cycle to Work, EV Car Scheme, Season Ticket Loans
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch break, Monday to Friday. Flexible working hours may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for mid-senior level Paid Search Managers in London. Actual salary may vary depending on experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services. Dentsu is a global leader in integrated growth and transformation, offering expertise in media, CXM, and creative services to help clients navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organisation, Dentsu offers extensive resources, diverse opportunities, and a well-established infrastructure for employees.
Founded: 1901. Dentsu has a rich history and extensive experience in the advertising industry, providing a stable and reputable environment for employees.
Company Description:
- Integrated growth and transformation partner to the world’s leading organizations
- Offers expertise in media, CXM, and creative services
- Committed to delivering end-to-end experience transformation (EX) and business transformation (BX) solutions
Company Specialties:
- Marketing communications
- Advertising
- Media planning
- Media buying
- People-Based Marketing
- Creative
- Innovation
- Data
- and Technology
Company Website: https://www.dentsu.com/uk/en
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's extensive industry experience and global presence provide a stable and supportive environment for employees, with ample opportunities for growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level. This role offers a structured pathway to senior leadership through mentorship and training programs.
Reporting Structure: The Paid Search Manager will report directly to the Paid Search Director and will oversee a small team of Paid Search Executives.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role offers a hybrid working model, combining on-site work at the London office with remote work options for better work-life balance.
Growth Opportunities:
- Structured progression pathways with mentoring and leadership training
- Opportunities to work on large, performance-driven campaigns with real impact
- Access to AI-powered automation, industry-recognised certifications, and professional development resources
ASSUMPTION: The role offers significant growth opportunities, with a clear pathway to senior leadership and access to cutting-edge tools and resources for professional development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.
Office Location(s): 10 Triton Street, Regents Place, London, NW1 3BF, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global city with a vibrant advertising industry, offering ample networking and professional development opportunities
- The office is located in a central, well-connected area with excellent public transportation links
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and dining options
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch break, Monday to Friday. Flexible working hours may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The London office provides a modern, collaborative work environment with easy access to public transportation and a wide range of amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition team
- First-round interview with the Paid Search Director or a senior team member
- Second-round interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final-round interview with the Head of Paid Search or another senior leader
- Offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Paid search campaign management experience and expertise
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management capabilities
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Alignment with Dentsu's company values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant paid search experience and skills
- Demonstrate your understanding of the role and Dentsu's company values in your application materials
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your paid search expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Paid Search, Campaign Management, Analytics, Leadership, Team Management, Communication, Strategic Insight, Performance Analysis, Data-Driven Decision Making, Mentoring, Collaboration, AI-Driven Automation, Audience Targeting, PPC Management, Performance Max
ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' paid search expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong understanding of paid search principles and a passion for developing their team's capabilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- SA360 (or similar paid search management platforms)
- Google Analytics
- Google Tag Manager
- Performance Max
- AI-driven bidding strategies and automation tools
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, with experience using SA360 or similar paid search management platforms being highly desirable. Candidates should also be comfortable using data analysis tools and AI-driven bidding strategies.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Courage
- Accountability
- Diversity
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and open to change
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable using data and analytics to inform decision-making?
- Can you adapt your approach to meet the evolving needs of clients and the market?
- Do you hold yourself accountable for delivering results and driving team success?
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu values a collaborative, data-driven, and adaptable work style. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong fit with the company's values and work style preferences.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing client expectations and delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Staying up-to-date with industry trends, platform updates, and AI-driven innovations in paid search
- Balancing strategic thinking, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership responsibilities
- Managing workload and priorities for a small team of Paid Search Executives
ASSUMPTION: The role presents both exciting opportunities and potential challenges, requiring a strong balance of strategic thinking, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Paid Search Manager vs. Senior Paid Search Manager: The main difference lies in the level of experience and team management responsibilities. A Senior Paid Search Manager would oversee a larger team and have more strategic decision-making responsibilities.
- Paid Search Manager vs. Paid Media Manager: While both roles focus on paid advertising, a Paid Media Manager would oversee a broader range of paid media channels, including display, social, and video advertising, in addition to paid search.
- Career Path: Paid Search Executive → Paid Search Manager → Senior Paid Search Manager → Head of Paid Search → Director of Paid Media → Global Head of Media
ASSUMPTION: The Paid Search Manager role offers a clear career progression pathway, with opportunities to grow into senior leadership positions within the paid search and broader paid media functions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a major retail client, driving a 25% increase in online sales and a 15% reduction in cost per acquisition
- Managing a team of Paid Search Executives to deliver outstanding results for a portfolio of B2B technology clients, achieving an average of 18% quarter-over-quarter growth in lead generation
- Collaborating with internal teams to optimise campaign performance using AI-driven automation tools, resulting in a 12% increase in click-through rate and a 10% reduction in cost per click
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have a proven track record of delivering results in paid search campaign management, team leadership, and strategic planning.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical structure of a Paid Search team at Dentsu, and how this role fits within that structure?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Dentsu support the professional development and growth of its Paid Search Managers?
- What are the most challenging aspects of the role, and how does Dentsu help its employees navigate these challenges?
- How does Dentsu foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within its Paid Search teams?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and priorities.
📌 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 paid search experience and skills
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your paid search expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit
- If invited to an on-site interview, plan your journey to the London office, located at 10 Triton Street, Regents Place, London, NW1 3BF, United Kingdom
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
