Search Manager - 12 month FTC

Search Manager - 12 month FTC

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
OLIVER Agency

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale pan-European search strategies for a global brand.
  • Company: Join OLIVER, the pioneer in bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment focused on creativity, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving measurable commercial growth with cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in paid search, strong leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in‑house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.

As a part of The Brandtech Group, we’re at the forefront of leveraging cutting‑edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision‑making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.

About the role:

This is a 12 month FTC opportunity to shape and scale pan‑European search and lead gen for a leading global brand at a pivotal moment of transformation. You’ll play a central role in building a high‑impact performance engine across markets, helping move the programme from stable BAU to measurable commercial growth.

This role will lead the delivery of the PPC / Lead Gen proposal across markets, owning the end‑to‑end design, implementation, scaling and optimisation of search activity (paid search, shopping, Performance Max, branded + non‑branded search, and channel experimentation).

Translate the strategy into operational plans, campaign architectures, measurement and governance, ensuring successful market launches, smooth transition, reliable performance reporting and continuous scale.

Build and lead a high‑performing search capability working with the accounts team, commercial stakeholders and creative partners to deliver measurable growth and efficient ROI across large, multi‑market businesses.

This role is right for you if...

  • You are a search specialist with proven experience scaling paid search at enterprise scale (multi‑market, multi‑product, complex stakeholder environments).
  • You combine hands‑on technical expertise (campaign build, bidding automation, feeds, measurement) with strong commercial judgement and the ability to present and win stakeholder buy‑in.
  • You enjoy translating strategy into repeatable operating models and leading teams to deliver consistent, accountable results.

You will be the single point of ownership for delivering the partner proposal. This includes campaign structure and multi‑market roll‑out plans working with localisation / transcreation team, transition plans, data/measurement design and operational governance.

Day to day, you’ll run the search strategy, set prioritisation across markets/business units, allocate budget and resources, define experiments and scale winners.

You’ll be supported by an Account Director, Analytics Director and Performance Marketing Director, and you will line‑manage a Performance Marketing Executive who will report into you and help run execution and campaign optimisation.

You’ll work closely with creative, analytics, tech and commercial stakeholders to ensure campaign creatives, funnels and data capture are optimised for measurement and scale.

What you will be doing:

  • Lead the implementation and operationalisation of the strategy: campaign architecture, market prioritisation and launch sequencing.
  • Define and own KPIs and dashboards (performance, budget pacing, lift, incremental ROI) and ensure timely, accurate MI to inform decisions.
  • Scale campaigns across markets: localisation/transcreation, audience strategies, feed and landing page requirements, and creative testing programmes.
  • Set governance and access controls for ad accounts and platforms; define security and safe automation guardrails and change control processes.
  • Design and run test & learn frameworks to identify scalable growth levers and feed insights back into channel & creative teams.
  • Line‑manage the Performance Marketing Executive: set priorities, coach and develop capability.
  • Collaborate with the accounts team to manage commercial scope, SLAs, and client communications to ensure alignment and transparency.

What you need to be great in this role:

  • Proven track record (typically 5+ years) delivering and scaling paid search in large businesses or via agency partnerships for enterprise clients.
  • Deep expertise across Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max), Microsoft Ads, feed/merchant centre management, and experience with large account structures and cross‑market roll‑outs.
  • Strong experience of automated bidding strategies, campaign experimentation, and applying automation safely at scale.
  • Clear commercial focus – ability to build forecasts, financial plans, ROAS/CPA targets, and to manage pacing against multi‑million (or higher) budgets.
  • Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills – capable of motivating a direct team, coordinating with an accounts team and presenting to senior client stakeholders.
  • Experience working across international markets, with sensitivity to localisation, language and transcreation needs.
  • Demonstrable experience scaling search campaigns with significant monthly spend and multi‑market complexity.
  • Experience managing a team and working closely with client‑side account teams.

Required skills:

  • Technical: GA4, Google Tag Manager (or server‑side tagging), familiarity with programmatic/paid social integration, and marketing APIs.
  • Platform experience: Google Ads certifications, Shopping/MC, Performance Max, Microsoft Ads, and Search Ads (or similar).
  • Analytical: comfortable with attribution concepts, incrementality testing and translating data into actionable optimisation plans.
  • Process and programme management: able to build transition plans, operating models and run cross‑functional rollouts at pace.
  • Communication and presentation: able to explain technical approaches in client‑friendly language and to present performance and roadmaps to senior stakeholders.
  • B2B lead generation and/or large e‑commerce experience.
  • Experience with enterprise‑level ad account governance, agency transitions, and platform migrations.
  • Familiarity with privacy‑led measurement approaches and consented data architectures.

Our values shape everything we do:

  • Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
  • Be always learning and listening to understand.
  • Be actively pro‑inclusive and anti‑racist across our community, clients and creations.

OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.

OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science‑based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.

Search Manager - 12 month FTC employer: OLIVER Agency

At OLIVER, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions creativity and innovation in the heart of London. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering employees the chance to lead impactful projects while leveraging cutting-edge AI technology. With a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, we empower our teams to thrive in a dynamic environment where every voice is valued and every idea has the potential to make a difference.

OLIVER Agency

Contact Detail:

OLIVER Agency Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Search Manager - 12 month FTC

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role of Search Manager. Highlight your experience with PPC and lead generation to make a strong impression.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Search Manager - 12 month FTC

PPC Management
Lead Generation
Campaign Architecture
Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Performance Max)
Microsoft Ads
Automated Bidding Strategies
Data Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with paid search and lead generation. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Search Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires a strong grasp of Google Ads and campaign optimisation, be sure to mention any relevant certifications or hands-on experience you have. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical expertise clearly.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate clarity!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!

How to prepare for a job interview at OLIVER Agency

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and the latest trends in paid search. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with campaign builds and automated bidding strategies, as this role demands a deep understanding of these platforms.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since you'll be managing a Performance Marketing Executive, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past and how you plan to foster collaboration across different stakeholders to achieve campaign success.

Be Data-Driven

This role requires a clear commercial focus, so come prepared with insights from your previous campaigns. Discuss how you've used data to inform decisions, set KPIs, and optimise performance. Being able to translate complex data into actionable plans will impress your interviewers.

Understand the Brand's Vision

Research OLIVER and its unique model of in-house agencies. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission of driving creativity and efficiency. Showing that you align with their values and understand their goals will set you apart from other candidates.