At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global paid search strategy and optimise campaigns across multiple markets.
- Company: Join a values-led, inclusive organisation focused on personal growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £75k, 10% bonus, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with global visibility.
- Qualifications: Extensive paid search experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Base pay range: Up to £75k basic with 10% bonus. Must have in-house and agency experience.
Are you a senior paid search specialist who enjoys combining strategy with hands-on delivery at scale? We’re recruiting a Senior Paid Search Manager to take a leading role in shaping and optimising paid search activity for a global, direct-to-consumer business. This is an exciting opportunity to operate within a central digital marketing function, influencing performance across multiple international markets. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, agency partners and regional teams to ensure paid search remains a key driver of growth.
The Role
- Reporting into senior digital leadership, you’ll be responsible for the direction, performance and ongoing evolution of paid search activity globally.
- Acting as a subject-matter expert, you’ll help define best practice, improve efficiency and unlock new opportunities across performance marketing.
- This role will suit someone with strong paid search expertise who is comfortable working in a matrix environment and enjoys balancing strategic thinking with detailed execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of a global paid search strategy aligned to wider digital and commercial goals.
- Oversee campaign execution, optimisation and testing across multiple markets and platforms.
- Drive performance improvements through advanced bidding strategies, automation and platform innovation.
- Partner closely with agencies and internal teams to ensure consistency, governance and best practice.
- Analyse performance data and translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
- Support collaboration across e-commerce, revenue and marketing teams to maximise impact.
- Identify opportunities to apply performance-led thinking to adjacent digital channels.
- Act as a paid search expert within the business, supporting knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement.
About You
- Extensive experience in paid search and performance marketing at a senior level, including SEA and SEM.
- Strong knowledge of search platforms, tools and optimisation methodologies.
- Proven experience managing large-scale budgets and delivering measurable ROI.
- Confident working with automation, AI-driven bidding and attribution approaches.
- Commercially minded, analytical and comfortable presenting insights to senior audiences.
- Experience gained within a paid media agency or working closely with agency partners is highly desirable.
- Collaborative, proactive and able to influence across global, cross-functional teams.
Why Join?
You’ll be joining a values-led, inclusive organisation that genuinely supports flexibility, collaboration and personal growth. The culture encourages autonomy while offering exposure to global teams and senior decision-makers. If you’re looking for a senior paid search role with global scope, visibility and the chance to make a real impact - we’d love to hear from you.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Marketing
Industries: Computers and Electronics Manufacturing and Retail Appliances, Electrical, and Electronic Equipment
Senior Paid Search Manager in Cardiff employer: Morgan McKinley
Morgan McKinley offers an exceptional work environment for a Terraform & AWS DevOps Engineer, providing the opportunity to collaborate with a leading UK insurance and financial services company. Employees benefit from a culture of innovation and support, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic, multi-vendor setting. The company's commitment to employee well-being and career advancement makes it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Paid Search Manager in Cardiff
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Morgan McKinley and show them what you can bring to the table.
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Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Morgan McKinley are looking for.
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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Morgan McKinley on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Paid Search Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Morgan McKinley. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Morgan McKinley:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Morgan McKinley’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Morgan McKinley will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Morgan McKinley, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
