At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data to optimise paid search performance and drive impactful marketing decisions.
- Company: Join the UK's leading rail holiday provider with a passion for exceptional customer experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 25% off tours, 33 days holiday, and a vibrant office environment.
- Why this job: Use your analytical skills to shape marketing strategies and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience with data analysis, Excel, and a keen interest in PPC performance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth in a dynamic eCommerce setting.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
At Great Rail Journeys, we’re the UK’s leading provider of holidays by rail, offering escorted tours, river cruises and tailormade adventures across more than 40 countries worldwide. With five decades of experience, we’re experts in showcasing the beauty and diversity of the destinations we travel to, taking people to places only rail can reach. Every year we proudly take over 50,000 customers on unforgettable journeys, creating moments of great connection through thoughtful planning, exceptional service and a genuine passion for what we do. We care deeply about our customers and never lose sight of the small touches and attention to detail that make a holiday truly special. Our customer first ethos sits at the heart of every decision we make, helping us deliver the high-quality tours our customers love and return to year after year.
Our stunning Hudson Quarter office in York right opposite the station is a modern, collaborative space designed to bring people together, with 4 days in the office, it’s the perfect place to maintain our strong culture and teamwork. Our brilliant benefits package includes:
- Up to 25% off Colleague Discount on our tours
- 33 days Holiday (incl BH) Plus the Option to Buy 3 Extra Days
- Commuter Club discount
- Westfield Health Cash Back Plan
- Eurostar Agent Rates
- 5% matched Pension Plan & Salary Exchange
The PPC Analyst plays a key role in turning data into smart, confident decisions that improve our paid search performance across the UK and US. We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys and has experience digging into data, spotting patterns, testing ideas, and using evidence to guide spend optimisation. This role suits someone knowledgeable, hungry, adaptive, and comfortable working in complexities, someone who uses logic, structure, and curiosity to move performance forward.
You will take a hands-on approach: analysing trends, validating data accuracy, and translating signals into clear actions for the team. Your work will strengthen our digital acquisition performance through thoughtful analysis, fast learning, and a strong bias for action. If you love using data to shape decisions and enjoy solving problems in a constantly changing environment, this is the role for you.
Daily Responsibilities
- Support the structure and optimisation of paid search activity that aligns with our marketing and product strategies.
- Conduct precise keyword research and review ad copy performance using clear performance evidence.
- Work with the eCommerce teams to ensure landing pages are performing as expected and highlight any issues that affect conversion.
- Analyse campaign data through platforms such as Google Analytics and Looker Studio, ensuring accuracy before insight is shared.
- Run controlled A/B tests, documenting outcomes clearly so decisions are grounded in fact.
- Track platform updates, competitor shifts and performance signals that may influence results.
- Provide clear, timely reporting and insight to stakeholders, ensuring recommendations are supported by sound data.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure performance data is aligned, up to date and fully understood.
- Any other duties reasonably expected for the role.
Skills
- A naturally analytical thinker with a logical, structured approach to solving problems.
- Comfortable working with data in Excel, including pivot tables, SUMIFS, XLOOKUP and other core formulas.
- Strong bias for action, enjoys testing ideas, learning fast, and making informed decisions even when the answer isn’t obvious.
- Curious, hungry, and adaptable; able to work through and adjust quickly as digital performance shifts.
- Confident analysing trends and using insight to inform spend optimisation and campaign performance.
- Strong communicator, able to translate analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for the team.
- Comfortable collaborating across teams and working within an eCommerce environment.
Who you are
You’re confident working with data in Excel and enjoy using formulas, pivot tables, and logical thinking to solve problems. You’re curious about PPC performance and understand how metrics, tracking, and optimisation work together to drive results. You’re comfortable using tools such as Power BI, Google Analytics, or Looker Studio, with a strong focus on validating data. Commercially minded, you understand what good digital marketing looks like and what truly drives growth. You’ve worked in an eCommerce environment, can manage multiple markets with accuracy, and communicate clearly, turning numbers into simple, meaningful actions others can act on.
PPC Analyst employer: Great Rail Journeys
Contact Detail:
Great Rail Journeys Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PPC Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your data analysis skills! Since the PPC Analyst role is all about turning data into decisions, brush up on your Excel and analytics tools. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive results in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Great Rail Journeys.
We think you need these skills to ace PPC Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the PPC Analyst role. Highlight your analytical skills, experience with data tools, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to optimise paid search performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about PPC and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions and improve performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role is all about data, make sure to mention your proficiency with Excel and any other analytics tools you’ve used. We want to see how you’ve applied these skills in real-world scenarios to achieve results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Great Rail Journeys!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Rail Journeys
✨Know Your Data
Before the interview, brush up on your data analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used tools like Google Analytics or Excel to drive PPC performance. Think of specific examples where your insights led to actionable changes.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your curiosity about PPC and digital marketing trends. Research recent changes in the industry and be ready to share your thoughts on how they could impact campaign performance. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Practice articulating how you would approach a drop in campaign performance or how you'd optimise ad copy based on data. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to translate complex data into actionable insights, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. Focus on how you communicated findings to stakeholders and the impact those recommendations had on the business.