At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise paid search campaigns to drive customer acquisition and maximise ROI.
- Company: Join Whitbread, a leading hospitality business with a dynamic marketing team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a bonus, pension contributions, discounts on stays, and excellent development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in digital marketing while working with top industry partners like Google and Microsoft.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing large-scale paid search programmes and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 52650 - 64350 £ per year.
Digital Marketing Acquisition - Paid Search Marketing Manager
Job Description
Posted Wednesday 19 August 2026 at 00:00
Job Title
Paid Search Marketing Manager
Contract Type
7 Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Office Based
Chancery Lane , London | Hybrid working, 3 days a week in the office
Are you a paid search expert who thrives on delivering commercial results, leading high-performing campaigns and turning data-driven insights into action?
At Whitbread, we're looking for a Paid Search Marketing Manager to join our Performance Marketing team on a 7-month maternity cover contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of anannual media budget, leading the strategy, performance and development of one of our most important customer acquisition channels.
In this highly visible role, you'll be responsible for driving best-in-class performance across Paid search products.
You'll work closely with agency partners, Google and Microsoft, whilst collaborating with marketing technology, data and technical teams to maximise channel performance, drive innovation and support business growth.
What you’ll be doing
- Own and deliver Whitbread's paid search strategy, ensuring activity aligns with commercial objectives and delivers maximum return on investment.
- Manage and optimise an annual paid search budget, providing forecasting, performance monitoring and recommendations to maximise value.
- Lead the execution and optimisation of campaigns across Paid Search, Performance Max, AI Max and other search advertising platforms.
- Act as the primary relationship owner for agency partners and key platform providers including Google and Microsoft.
- Identify opportunities for innovation, automation and channel growth, staying ahead of industry trends and developments in AI-powered search marketing.
- Work closely with marketing technology, data and technical teams to enhance channel capabilities, measurement and reporting.
- Develop reporting frameworks, dashboards and performance insights to support decision making and communicate results to senior stakeholders.
- Lead, coach and develop a Senior Paid Search Executive, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
Why you’ll love it here
- Bonus up to 20%
- Up to 10% contributory pension
- Up to 60% off Premier Inn and Hub stays
- Individual and company-wide performance incentives
- Discounts and cashback from a wide range of retailers and leisure providers
- Excellent development opportunities within one of the UK's leading hospitality businesses
What you’ll need
- Proven experience managing large-scale paid search programmes within a B2C environment.
- Strong expertise across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Performance Max and wider paid search channels.
- Experience managing significant paid media budgets, ideally £10m+.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience forecasting, managing spend and delivering ROI.
- Demonstrable experience leading agency relationships and managing external partners.
- Experience working within large, complex organisations with established governance, processes and stakeholder groups.
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret large datasets and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience presenting to and influencing senior leaders.
- Previous experience managing and developing direct reports.
- Strong understanding of attribution, measurement and performance reporting frameworks.
- Experience within hospitality, travel, aviation, rail, cruise or a large e Commerce environment would be highly advantageous.
- A passion for digital marketing trends, innovation and the growing role of AI within search marketing.
Be part of our Performance Marketing team at Whitbread and help drive millions of customer journeys through one of our most important growth channels.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Digital Marketing Acquisition - Paid Search Marketing Manager employer: Whitbread PLC
Whitbread PLC is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where fun and hospitality thrive. As a Restaurant Team Member at The Warrener in Thetford, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive training, and valuable employee benefits, all while being part of a supportive team that values your growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Marketing Acquisition - Paid Search Marketing Manager
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!
✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Marketing Acquisition - Paid Search Marketing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Whitbread PLC from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Whitbread PLC specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread PLC
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Whitbread PLC, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Whitbread PLC you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Whitbread PLC that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Whitbread PLC, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
