Paid Media & PPC Advertising Strategist

Social Firm•Columbus, OH

About The Position

Paid Media Manager QUALIFICATIONS If you use Google Ads Editor , not just the web interface, and you’re serious about going deep, doing the work, tracking ROAS, and driving real results, this opportunity is for you. The Paid Media Strategist is a results-driven digital advertising professional who takes full ownership of the outcomes they create for clients. This person doesn't measure success by hours logged or tasks completed - they measure it by the returns their campaigns generate and the meaningful progress they drive toward each client's defined business objectives. ROAS is not just a metric to report on - it is the standard they hold themselves to every day. This person goes a mile deep. They are not satisfied with surface-level optimizations or generic campaign structures. They dig into the data, challenge assumptions, and keep pulling at a campaign until they unlock what makes it work. They understand that the best results come from genuine curiosity, relentless testing, and a willingness to stay with a problem until it's solved. They are a self-directed professional who understands that a salaried role in a fast-moving agency comes with real accountability. Deadlines, client timelines, and campaign performance don't pause at the end of a workday - and neither does this person when something needs attention. They bring stability and consistency to their clients and in return they give their full effort to the role. They are technically fluent across paid search, paid social, and programmatic platforms, and they bring strong strategic thinking to every engagement. They communicate clearly, present data in a way that tells a story, and are comfortable sitting across from a prospect or client's senior leadership as the subject matter expert in the room. They work closely with the sales team to evaluate and scope new opportunities, and they approach every client relationship with the goal of creating measurable, lasting growth - not just campaign activity. This person is confident, accountable, and never satisfied with good enough. They are proud of the results they create and energized by the challenge of creating more. WHAT SETS SOCIAL FIRM APART? Social Firm has been building brands and driving results for clients for more than 16 years - but don't let that fool you. We operate with the energy and ambition of a company that's just getting started. We're growth-oriented, data-driven, and focused on building and implementing systems for our partners - not just delivering services. That distinction matters to us, and it shows in how we work. We move quickly and proactively. We don't wait to be told what needs to improve - we identify it, bring a solution to the table, and act on it. That mindset is something we look for in every person we hire and something we work hard to reinforce as a team. If you see something that could be better, we want to hear your idea, not just your observation. We believe that when our people grow, the agency grows. That means investing in your development continuously - staying sharp, staying current, and bringing well-informed recommendations to our partners rather than just checking boxes. We go the extra mile because our partners expect it and because we hold ourselves to that standard. Our culture isn't an afterthought - it's something we protect. We're results-driven but not cutthroat. We communicate openly, operate with high integrity, and know how to have fun while winning for our clients. We're also active in our community and take our role in it seriously. Here's what you can expect: A fast-moving, test-and-learn environment where your ideas are welcome Genuine investment in your personal and professional development Transparent, open communication at every level Passionate teammates who take the work seriously and each other personally Exposure to a wide variety of clients, industries, and campaign types A growing agency with real momentum and room to move up Community involvement and a culture that's well-regarded beyond our walls Convenient Columbus location with on-site parking and quick access to downtown, Bexley, and the Short North 401K with company match Group Healthcare benefits available for full time employees Paid holidays Generous paid time off

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on experience managing paid search, paid social, and programmatic campaigns
Proven track record of delivering measurable results including ROAS, CAC, and client-defined KPIs
Experience working in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn, and programmatic platforms
Google Ads and Microsoft Ads certifications
Strong analytical ability with experience building reports and dashboards that communicate outcomes
Experience with Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, GA4, and conversion tracking setup
Proficiency with Google Sheets and/or Microsoft Excel for budget tracking and data analysis
Background managing campaigns in both B2C and B2B environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present confidently to clients and prospects
Ability to manage multiple client campaigns simultaneously under tight deadlines
Self-directed with a strong sense of ownership and accountability to results
Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience in a digital marketing agency environment
Experience with Looker Studio or Agency Analytics for client dashboard and reporting builds
Advanced programmatic experience including DSP platforms such as Simplifi or similar
Experience integrating CDP and first-party data segments for audience targeting
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or Business
Experience with Teamwork or comparable project management software
Familiarity with the StoryBrand framework and its application to campaign messaging
Experience collaborating with creative teams on integrated, idea-led media campaigns
Membership in a local marketing or advertising peer group or special interest group
Outside interests - hobbies, community involvement, or active roles in organizations

Responsibilities

Develop paid media strategies aligned to each client's defined business objectives and KPIs across paid search, paid social, and programmatic channels
Take full ownership of campaign outcomes - holding ROAS, CAC, and client-defined success metrics as the standard of performance
Act as SME in sales conversations, prospect meetings, and client strategy sessions
Build, manage, and continuously optimize campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube, and programmatic platforms
Conduct routine campaign analysis to identify optimization opportunities across targeting, creative, bidding, and budget allocation
Track and reconcile client budgets monthly, ensuring spend is aligned with strategy and delivering measurable return
Implement and maintain event and conversion tracking on client websites and landing pages using Google Tag Manager, GA4, and platform pixels
Build & maintain dashboards & scorecards that communicate outcomes, not just activity
Generate data-driven insights and proactive recommendations throughout the full campaign lifecycle
Leverage first-party data segments to improve targeting precision and campaign performance
Lead client meetings to review performance, present insights and align on strategy
Work closely with the sales team to evaluate, scope, and present new paid media opportunities
Collaborate with strategists and the StratMar Team Leader to ensure campaign efforts support broader client marketing goals
Own and maintain the paid media playbook, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and results
Stay current on platform updates, emerging ad formats, and industry trends
Leverage AI-powered tools to enhance campaign analysis, targeting, and performance