📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Digital Marketing
🔹 Company: Zendesk
🔹 Location: Austin, Texas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of 4 to execute paid search strategies and optimize campaigns for maximum ROI.
- Collaborating cross-functionally with teams like marketing analytics and marketing ops on performance, attribution, forecasting, target setting, and achievement.
- Overseeing day-to-day campaign bid management and execution tactics across multiple search engines to exceed goals and maximize return on ad spend.
- Identifying opportunities to expand search efforts, such as driving strategy behind keyword research and expansion, ads and campaign testing, and platform testing.
- Monitoring daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly budgets and pacing to achieve key metrics, KPI goals, and ROI targets.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, team leadership, and analytical skills to drive successful paid search campaigns and collaborate effectively with other teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and mentor a team in the hands-on management and optimization of search campaigns to build a best-in-class SEM program for Zendesk across various global regions.
✅ Strong collaboration cross-functionally with teams like marketing analytics, marketing ops, etc. on performance, attribution, forecasting, target setting, and achievement.
✅ Oversee day-to-day campaign bid management and execution tactics across multiple search engines (e.g., Google, Bing, etc.) to exceed goals and maximize return on ad spend.
✅ Identify opportunities to expand search efforts; e.g., drive strategy behind keyword research and expansion, ads and campaign testing, and platform testing.
✅ Rigorously test every aspect of paid search—keywords, ad copy, landing pages—to drive optimal performance results.
✅ Collaborate with team members to adjust campaigns to local contexts and maximize relevance.
✅ Support new product capability launches and promotions through innovative copy and messaging.
✅ Monitor daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly budgets and pacing to achieve key metrics, KPI goals, and ROI targets.
✅ Develop strategic roadmaps for the paid search program, ensuring alignment with broader marketing objectives.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership to drive successful paid search campaigns and contribute to broader marketing goals.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
Experience: 8+ years of hands-on experience running paid search campaigns on major search engine platforms (AdWords & Bing) at a global company.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in performance marketing, with a focus on understanding Return on Investment (ROI), budget pacing and management, and performance and budget forecasting.
- Strong quantitative skills and the ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions.
- Excellent communication skills to convey results, key learnings, and areas of opportunity effectively.
- Proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, SUMIF formulas), Tableau, Analytics tools (GA4, Adobe, etc.), and/or other marketing tools.
- Excellent project management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Preferred Skills:
- Proficiency/fluency in one or more languages is a plus: Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, etc.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in paid search campaign management, data analysis, and team leadership to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The US annualized base salary range for this position is $140,000.00-$210,000.00. This position may also be eligible for bonus, benefits, or related incentives.
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Generous time off and paid holidays
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- Wellness programs and employee assistance programs
Working Hours: This role requires a hybrid work arrangement, with a specific in-office schedule to be determined by the hiring manager.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior manager role in digital marketing. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job-related capabilities, applicable experience, and work location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Zendesk operates in the software development industry, focusing on customer service and support solutions.
Company Size: Zendesk has 5,001-10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: Zendesk was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Company Description:
- Zendesk started the customer experience revolution in 2007 by enabling any business around the world to take their customer service online.
- Today, Zendesk is the champion of great service everywhere for everyone, and powers billions of conversations, connecting more than 100,000 brands with hundreds of millions of customers over telephony, chat, email, messaging, social channels, communities, review sites and help centers.
- Zendesk products are built with love to be loved. The company was conceived in Copenhagen, Denmark, built and grown in California, taken public in New York City, and today employs more than 4,000 people across the world.
Company Specialties:
- Help Desks
- Customer Support
- SaaS
- Customer Community
- and Customer Service
Company Website: https://www.zendesk.com
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's focus on customer experience and global presence provides ample opportunities for growth and learning in this role.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior manager level, requiring a high degree of expertise and leadership in digital marketing, specifically paid search.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, Digital Marketing, Paid Search will lead a team of 4 and collaborate cross-functionally with other teams within the marketing department.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, requiring on-site presence for part of the week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into a director or vice president role within the marketing department.
- Opportunities to expand skills and knowledge in other areas of digital marketing or within the broader organization.
- Chance to work on global campaigns and gain international experience.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills, expand marketing expertise, and gain global experience.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Zendesk's office in Austin, Texas, is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster productivity and innovation.
Office Location(s): 989 Market St, San Francisco, California 94103, US; 25 West Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, US; Snaregade 12, Kobenhavn K, Capital Region 1205, DK; 30 Eastbourne Terrace, London, England W2 6LA, GB; 5th Ave, Taguig City, National Capital Region, PH; 9, Straits View, Marina One West Tower #10-08, Singapore, Singapore 018937, SG; Rua Oscar Freire 585, São Paulo, SP 01426-001, BR; 7/395 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AU; 385 Avenue Viger O, Montreal, Quebec H2Z 0C2, CA; Strawinskylaan 4117, Amsterdam, North Holland 1077 ZX, NL; Marii Konopnickiej 29, 30-302, Kraków, Poland, PL
Geographic Context:
- Austin, Texas, is a vibrant, growing city with a strong tech industry and a high quality of life.
- The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living options, with a range of neighborhoods to suit different preferences.
- Austin has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot summers.
Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with a specific in-office schedule to be determined by the hiring manager.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central location of Zendesk's Austin office provide a flexible and convenient work environment for applicants.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- Technical assessment or case study
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with a senior leader in the marketing department
Key Assessment Areas:
- Paid search campaign management and optimization skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Team leadership and mentoring capabilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Zendesk's products and services, and how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and cultural fit.
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, SEM, Performance Marketing, Data Analysis, Team Leadership, Marketing Strategy, Campaign Optimization, Budget Management, A/B Testing, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Project Management, Excel, Tableau, Analytics Tools, Multilingual
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, leadership potential, and cultural fit within the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Advertising
- Google Ads Editor
- Microsoft Advertising Editor
- Excel
- Tableau
- Google Analytics 4
- Adobe Analytics
- Other marketing tools (e.g., marketing automation platforms, project management software)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they are used daily for campaign management, data analysis, and reporting.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customers First
- Improvement Through Change
- Inclusion
- Integrity
- Fun
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and open to change
- Results-focused and accountable
- Customer-centric and empathetic
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Zendesk's value of 'Customers First' in your daily work?
- Describe a time when you drove improvement through change in a previous role. How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
- How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, particularly when working with remote team members?
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's culture values customer focus, continuous improvement, and a positive, inclusive work environment. Candidates should be able to demonstrate alignment with these values and work styles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a global team with varying time zones and cultural backgrounds may present unique communication and collaboration challenges.
- Balancing strategic planning and hands-on campaign management may require strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Keeping up with industry trends and algorithm changes in paid search may necessitate continuous learning and adaptation.
- Working in a hybrid environment may require additional flexibility and adaptability.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior manager roles in digital marketing, this position places a greater emphasis on paid search campaign management and optimization.
- Within the broader marketing industry, this role is more specialized than general marketing management positions, but offers similar opportunities for strategic planning and team leadership.
- Career progression from this role may lead to director or vice president positions in digital marketing or other areas of the business.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, hands-on campaign management, and team leadership, setting it apart from other senior marketing roles.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global paid search strategy to drive lead generation and revenue growth for a new product launch.
- Conducting a comprehensive keyword research and expansion project to improve campaign performance and reach new audiences.
- Leading a team to optimize landing pages and ad copy to improve conversion rates and reduce cost per acquisition.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, tactical, and leadership aspects of this role, showcasing the breadth of responsibilities and opportunities for impact.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the paid search program and the team's priorities for the next 12 months?
- How does this role collaborate with other marketing teams, such as marketing analytics and marketing ops, to drive performance and achieve objectives?
- What are the key challenges facing the paid search team, and how can this role address them?
- How does Zendesk support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the marketing department?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, particularly for employees in hybrid or remote work arrangements?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in the role's specifics, the team's dynamics, and Zendesk's culture, signaling their commitment to success in the position.
📌 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 for this role, emphasizing your paid search campaign management expertise, data analysis abilities, and team leadership capabilities.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and cultural fit.
- If selected for an on-site or virtual interview, research Zendesk's products, services, and company culture to demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the organization's mission and values.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
