Senior Paid Media Manager - Social and Search

OVERVIEW OF JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Paid Media Manager to lead and execute paid media strategies across social and search channels. You will be a key player in driving our clients' online success by maximizing their return on investment (ROI) and achieving their business objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of the paid media landscape, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record of managing successful campaigns. You will be reporting directly to the head of Paid Media.

SO WHAT IS A Senior Media Manager?

The Senior Paid Media Manager defines and executes data-driven digital strategies to maximize the value of advertising investments for our clients. You will be responsible for developing advanced, paid social media, and paid search strategies, ensuring successful campaign implementation, budget optimization, and tracking of performance metrics. This role requires in-depth knowledge of programmatic buying technologies, audience targeting, and a keen ability to identify the best inventory and bidding strategies to achieve client goals. Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders will be key to delivering best-in-class results.

This is a high-impact position, offering substantial career growth potential in South Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

IMPERATIVE

• 5+ years of experience in digital marketing with a focus on paid media strategy, including social platforms and Search.
• Strong experience in managing high-budget campaigns with a clear focus on ROI and performance metrics.
• Extensive experience in optimizing cross-channel campaigns for video, mobile, and display advertising.
• Ability to interpret GA4 data and leverage insights to optimize campaigns.
• Technical troubleshooting skills related to buying platforms, with a focus on proactive solutions.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable strategy and reporting.
• Exceptional client communication skills, with experience in presenting complex performance insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Ability to work closely with senior team members to take direction with campaigns 
• Very diligent – staying on top of the details 
• Ability to succeed in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills

ADVANTAGE

• Experience working within a media agency in a senior PPC/Google Ads/Search role.
• Familiarity with Google Campaign Manager (CM), SSPs, and exchanges.
• Expertise in affiliate marketing and lead generation campaigns.
• Proficiency with Google Tag Manager 360 or other tag management platforms.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

• Effective Technical Communicator: Able to distill complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Passion for Digital Marketing and Ad Tech: Strong interest in staying ahead of online advertising technology trends and platforms.
• Autonomous and Resourceful: Proactive in identifying opportunities, solving problems, and taking ownership of tasks.
• Self-Motivated and Driven: Demonstrates initiative, continuously seeks improvement, and remains committed to excellence.
• Composure Under Pressure: Ability to stay calm and maintain performance standards in high-pressure situations.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively with colleagues and consultants, while also being able to take direction and align with broader strategy.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributes to the team's growth by sharing insights, experiences, and expertise. This is a requirement from all Senior team members.

TASKS

• Strategic Campaign Setup: Conduct thorough research and implement strategies based on the guidance from country consultants and client goals.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external consultants, account managers, and clients to craft and execute media buying strategies.
• Seamless Integration: Partner with the CM (Campaign Manager) team to ensure integration across the full GMP (Google Marketing Platform) stack for relevant clients.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve issues within the Campaign Manager platform, offering actionable solutions.
• Cross-Platform Execution: Manage and execute campaigns across DSP platforms for desktop, mobile, and video, ensuring high-quality results.
• Campaign Performance Analysis: Regularly assess campaign performance, offering optimization recommendations to ensure success.
• Performance Monitoring: Continually review revenue, performance, and pacing metrics, ensuring campaigns meet established KPIs and revenue targets.
• Holistic Data Analysis: Interpret campaign data across programmatic and other digital channels, providing clients with comprehensive performance overviews.
• Cross-Channel Insights: Analyze how different digital channels (e.g., paid search, display, social) interact and influence overall campaign outcomes.
• Proactive Growth: Continuously identify and pursue new opportunities within the programmatic advertising space.
• Accurate Reporting: Ensure all media costs and revenues are accurately reported on a monthly basis.
• Administrative Efficiency: Maintain up-to-date and precise campaign records, budgets, and media buying documentation.
• Self-Development: Proactively pursue ongoing professional development, continually advancing knowledge in digital media and marketing trends.

Collaboration with Client Manager

• Close daily collaboration with the Account Managers and Directors to understand client’s goals and needs, communicating campaign metrics and performance as needed
• Campaign performance analysis and presentation to client lead internally and externally
• First level of troubleshooting and triage on technical and performance related issues

KEY COMPETENCIES AND WORK ETHIC

• Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and professional in all forms of communication, both written and verbal.
• Mastery of Specialized Knowledge: Consistently updates and applies in-depth knowledge of digital marketing and media buying technologies.
• Competence: Delivers on promises, reliably meets deadlines, and focuses on finding solutions, even when faced with challenges.
• Positive Attitude and Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions and demonstrates integrity and honesty in all situations.
• Respect and Emotional Intelligence: Shows respect for all colleagues and clients, demonstrating emotional intelligence by understanding others' needs and emotions.
• Team Spirit: Strong ability to build relationships, motivate team members, and maintain a positive, collaborative environment.
• High Standards and Dedication: Consistently delivers high-quality work, displaying focus, organization, and attention to detail.
• Adaptability Under Pressure: Thrives in fast-paced environments, remaining calm and effective under pressure.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proactively finding solutions to complex challenges.
• Independence and Initiative: Takes initiative and makes decisions independently within company guidelines, while being proactive in personal development and skill enhancement.
• Continuous Learning: Displays an eagerness for knowledge, continuously learning from every situation to improve performance.
• Constructive Collaboration: Contributes thoughtfully to decision-making processes and respects diverse viewpoints and inputs.

Incubeta Company Values: 

• Earn Trust: Focused on maintaining and increasing customer focus, works with the customer in mind earning trust along each step with clients and colleagues
• Help Others Succeed: Makes an active contribution to a joint result (organizational target) or to resolving problems or conflicts. Think in terms of possibilities. Is able to solve issues and problems in a timely and effective manner, working as a team.
• Dare to Lead: Is willing to improve individual performance and stimulate others to act accordingly. Setting the standard and example. Being solution driven.
• Exceed Expectations: Carries out tasks without help from others; takes command of problem situations and aims to achieve more than the basic requirements. Goes above and beyond the basic expectations of the role and the business.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Incubeta is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Application Process:

If you feel you meet the criteria please kindly submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio of relevant work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.Please take note that if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks of applying, you should consider your application as unsuccessful.