Senior Paid Media Manager

Sydney or Melbourne | Up to $120,000 + Super | Hybrid

The Agency

We are working exclusively with one of Australia's most awarded independent performance marketing agencies. Named Best Large Integrated Agency and Performance Agency of the Year at the 2025 APAC Search Awards, this is a business with serious momentum.

A growing client roster of nationally recognised brands across retail, ecommerce, education and financial services. A team culture built around challenger thinking, integrated delivery and genuine career development. And now, an expanded footprint into Asia.

They have a defined career framework, and this role sits squarely on the path to Paid Media Director.

The Role

As Senior Paid Media Manager, you will own a portfolio of Tier 1 accounts and lead a pod of Executives and Specialists to deliver best-in-class paid media strategy and performance.

This is not a purely executional role. You will be the senior voice in the room with clients, the strategic lead on 12-month roadmaps, and the person your pod looks to when things need to be solved.

Channel split:

• Paid Search: 40 to 45%

• Paid Social: 40 to 45%

• Programmatic / wider channels: approx. 10%

What You Will Be Doing

Client and Strategy

• Own strategic oversight for Tier 1 accounts, including 12-month roadmaps and best-in-class channel innovation

• Lead senior client relationships, performance reviews, strategic conversations and QBRs with senior stakeholders

• Identify and raise opportunities to grow the portfolio through cross-sell and upsell

• Contribute to new business pitches, audits and client presentations

• Proactively manage account health and flag risk early with a clear save plan

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage and mentor a pod of Executives, Specialists and Coordinators

• Run regular 1:1s and actively support career development

• Foster a challenger culture and push the team to question the status quo

• Manage team capacity to ensure Tier 1 deliverables are met within scoped hours

Commercial and Operations

• Own 100% accuracy across billing, financial reconciliations and budget forecasting

• Audit team tasks to keep the pod focused on high-impact, high-value work

• Identify friction points in workflows and implement process improvements

• Act as first line of support when major account issues or performance challenges arise

What We Are Looking For

• 5 plus years in paid media with strong agency background preferred

• Proven ownership of Tier 1 or large client portfolios across multiple accounts

• Genuine dual channel strength across both paid search and paid social, not a specialist in one

• Hands-on implementation experience, not just oversight

• Formal experience leading or mentoring junior team members

• Strong grasp of GA4 and GTM for measurement and attribution

• Commercial accuracy across billing, forecasting and reconciliations at account level

Nice to have:

• Programmatic exposure, particularly DV360

• Background in retail, ecommerce, education or financial services

• Experience contributing to or leading new business pitches

• Has built or improved internal QC processes or reporting frameworks

You

• Calm and decisive under pressure, confident leading through performance challenges without losing client trust

• Commercially sharp, you understand how agency profitability works, not just campaign ROAS

• A natural coach and people leader who invests in your team's growth

• Challenger mindset, never satisfied with good enough

• Confident communicator with both clients and senior internal stakeholders

• Self-directed, you run your patch without needing close management

The Package

• Salary: Up to $120,000 base plus super

• Location: Sydney or Melbourne, your choice

• Office: Hybrid, flexible, most of the team are in 2 to 3 days per week

• Career path: Clear progression framework

Interested?

If you are ready to own a premium client portfolio, lead a high-performing pod and take the next real step in your career, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.