📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Paid Media Buyer
🔹 Company: The Penny Hoarder (Clearlink Technologies, LLC)
🔹 Location: Remote (United States)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-8+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing a multi-million-dollar paid search budget
- Optimizing performance across paid search and other channels
- Designing and running A/B and multivariate tests
- Collaborating with affiliate and editorial teams
- Monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, a test-and-learn approach, and a proven track record of delivering measurable growth through paid media.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and manage a $12M+ annual paid search budget, driving profitable customer acquisition across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads
✅ Develop and execute strategies to scale performance while maintaining efficiency across paid search, and support growth in other paid channels as needed
✅ Design and run A/B and multivariate tests across ad copy, creative, and landing pages to validate hypotheses and improve yield, conversion rate, and user quality
✅ Evaluate performance across the full marketing funnel to identify and close gaps in user experience, conversion flow, and revenue opportunities
✅ Collaborate with affiliate and editorial teams to align paid campaigns with monetized content, ensuring optimal client and user outcomes
✅ Monitor key performance indicators (CPL, ROAS, profit per session, lead quality, etc.) and deliver actionable reporting to stakeholders
✅ Stay current on platform updates, algorithm changes, and competitor strategies to inform ongoing media buying strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-8+ years of experience in performance-focused digital media buying, with a strong focus on paid search
Required Skills:
- Proven success managing large-scale budgets ($10M+/year) and scaling campaigns profitably
- Deep understanding of affiliate marketing models, lead generation, and revenue-per-click or revenue-per-session monetization strategies
- Demonstrated expertise in landing page optimization, including real-world testing examples that led to measurable improvements
- Strong proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, Google Sheets, GA4, Looker, etc.) and marketing platforms (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads)
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, proactive mindset
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working within content or publisher environments
ASSUMPTION: While not required, experience in content or publisher environments would be beneficial for understanding the context of the role within The Penny Hoarder.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)
Benefits:
- Healthcare: Low-cost, competitive health coverage (domestic partners included!) with employer-paid counseling services
- 401(k) matching: Enjoy 401(k) matching after just two months of employment, with employer matching starting at ~3%
- Lifestyle Spending Stipends: Access an employer-paid spending account for physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing expenses
- Flexible Time Off: Competitive time-off balances that accrue weekly, just like your paycheck
- Parental Leave: 2 weeks of paid parental leave during the first year and up to 6 weeks after one year of employment
- Generous Paid Holidays: Celebrate cultural diversity with additional flex holidays in addition to company paid holidays
- Remote Work Options: Skip the daily commute, and embrace the flexibility of working from home
- World Class Facility: With onsite restaurants, a 7,000 sqft gym, pickleball & basketball courts, spin class/pilates room, bikes, massages, and so much more
- Comprehensive Life Insurance: Ensure peace of mind with coverage that extends beyond the workplace with employer paid life insurance (including coverage for dependents and spouses)
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Join us in fostering connections, celebrating diversity, and providing a supportive community for all
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and Clearlink's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees)
Founded: 2001
Company Description:
- Clearlink is an award-winning digital marketing, sales conversion, and technology company headquartered in Salt Lake City
- A trusted partner for Fortune 500 companies since 2003, Clearlink delivers intuitive, engaging experiences throughout the customer journey to connect consumers with its brand partners
- Clearlink’s people-focused culture has been recognized internationally for strong leadership, business growth, innovative employee initiatives, and corporate social responsibility
Company Specialties:
- Customer Acquisition Marketing
- Search Engine Marketing
- Content Development & Distribution
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Inbound Sales
- Web Design
- Technology
- E-commerce
Company Website: www.clearlink.com
ASSUMPTION: Clearlink's large size and extensive specialties provide ample opportunities for career growth and learning within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Hiring Manager and works closely with affiliate and editorial teams
Work Arrangement: Remote (with a focus on East Coast hours)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand into other paid channels and take on additional responsibilities as the team grows
- Opportunities to mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal processes and best practices
- Potential to transition into a management role as the team and business evolve
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand into new channels and take on additional responsibilities as the team and business grow.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (with an option to work from Clearlink's world-class facility in Draper, UT)
Office Location(s): 42 Future Way, Draper, UT 84020, US
Geographic Context:
- The role is remote-friendly, with a focus on East Coast hours
- Clearlink's headquarters is in Draper, UT, with additional offices in Salt Lake City, UT, and other locations worldwide
- The company offers a flexible work environment, with remote work options and a world-class facility for on-site work
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with a focus on East Coast hours
ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly nature of this role allows for a high degree of flexibility and work-life balance, while the focus on East Coast hours ensures alignment with the team and stakeholders.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Once your application is submitted, Clearlink will review it and be in touch
- 30-min phone call with the Recruiting Team
- 30-min - 1 hour interview with the Hiring Manager
- 30-min - 1 hour interview with a Clearlink Panel
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills in paid media buying, data analysis, and marketing platforms
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Clearlink's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and collaboration abilities
- Research Clearlink's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment
ATS Keywords: Paid Media Buying, Performance Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Data Analysis, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, A/B Testing, Landing Page Optimization, Conversion Rate Optimization, Client Retention, Lead Generation, Communication Skills, Collaborative Mindset, Analytical Mindset, Strategic Experimentation, User Experience
ASSUMPTION: Clearlink's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collaboration abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- Excel
- Google Sheets
- GA4
- Looker
- A/B testing tools (e.g., Optimizely, Google Optimize)
- Landing page builders (e.g., Unbounce, Instapage)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they are used daily for data analysis, campaign optimization, and A/B testing.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Create Community
- Learn & Grow
- Embrace Opportunity
- Act Like An Owner
- Respect Every Person
Work Style:
- Collaborative and proactive mindset
- Strong communication skills
- Analytical and strategic thinking
- Test-and-learn approach
- Focus on continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you demonstrated your ability to create community and embrace opportunity in previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you acted like an owner and drove measurable results through strategic experimentation?
- How do you approach learning and growth in your current role, and what steps do you take to ensure continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Clearlink's values and work style emphasize collaboration, continuous learning, and a test-and-learn approach, making this role an excellent fit for candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires managing a large budget and balancing multiple priorities, which can be challenging at times
- Clearlink's fast-paced environment may require candidates to adapt quickly to new tools, technologies, and processes
- The remote nature of the role may present unique challenges in terms of communication and collaboration
- The focus on East Coast hours may require some flexibility in work schedule to accommodate team meetings and stakeholder communication
ASSUMPTION: While these challenges may present obstacles, they also offer opportunities for growth and learning in a dynamic and supportive work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other paid media buying positions in its focus on affiliate marketing and monetized content, requiring a strong understanding of The Penny Hoarder's unique business model
- As a senior role within a large organization, this position offers more autonomy and opportunities for growth than entry-level or mid-level positions in the field
- Compared to other senior roles in digital marketing, this position places a strong emphasis on strategic experimentation and collaboration with affiliate and editorial teams
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in affiliate marketing and a strong understanding of The Penny Hoarder's business model will be best suited for this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic plan to scale paid search performance while maintaining efficiency across multiple campaigns
- Designing and implementing A/B tests to improve conversion rates and user quality on landing pages
- Collaborating with affiliate and editorial teams to optimize campaign performance and alignment with monetized content
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and analytical nature of the role, highlighting the importance of strong problem-solving skills and a test-and-learn approach.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the paid media buying team, and how this role fits within the broader organization?
- How does Clearlink support the growth and development of its employees, and what opportunities are there for professional advancement within the role?
- Can you provide examples of how Clearlink fosters a culture of learning and growth, and how this is reflected in the day-to-day work of the paid media buying team?
- How does Clearlink approach diversity, equity, and inclusion, and what initiatives are in place to support these values within the organization?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success in this role, and how are they tracked and reported on?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the team, and the organization, and shows that you have given careful consideration to the fit between your skills, experiences, and Clearlink's culture and values.
📌 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 skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and collaboration abilities
- Research Clearlink's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment
- Follow up with Clearlink's recruiting team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
