Senior Manager, Paid Search (Google Ads)

NDG Communications | Fully Remote (U.S.)

Own Performance. Lead Accounts. Shape the Future of Paid Media.

NDG Communications is seeking a highly experienced Google Ads specialist who thrives in performance-driven environments and wants to play a key role in both client success and team leadership.

This is not a passive management role.

You will personally own and execute paid search strategy across a portfolio of client accounts while also serving as a second-in-command to the Director of Digital Marketing, contributing to team development, process improvement, and the evolution of our paid media practice.

You’ll work with some of the nation’s leading homebuilders—driving measurable impact across high-value campaigns where performance matters.

What This Role Is (and Isn’t)

This role IS:

• A hands-on Google Ads leadership role
• A client-facing strategist and operator
• A #2 leader within the paid media team
• A growth path to senior leadership

This role is NOT:

• A purely strategic or oversight role
• A generalist “do everything” marketing position
• A role removed from in-platform execution

YOUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIESPaid Search Leadership & Execution (Primary Focus):

You will own the performance of Google Ads campaigns from strategy through execution.

• Build, manage, and optimize campaigns across:
• Search
• Performance Max
• Display & You Tube (as applicable)
• Own keyword strategy, bidding strategies, audience targeting, and budget allocation
• Drive performance against KPIs including CPL, CPA, and conversion volume
• Execute ongoing optimization, including:
• Search term mining
• Bid adjustments and automation strategies
• Ad copy and creative testing
• Landing page performance feedback
• Develop and lead structured testing roadmaps (A/B and multivariate)

Expectation: You are in-platform regularly. You do the work—not just review it.

Client Ownership & Strategy Leadership

You will serve as the primary digital marketing lead for assigned client accounts.

• Own end-to-end performance for your client portfolio
• Translate business goals into actionable paid media strategies
• Lead monthly client calls and performance reviews
• Deliver clear, data-driven insights and recommendations
• Identify opportunities to scale budgets and improve efficiency

Departmental Leadership (Second-in-Command Role)

As the right hand to the Director of Digital Marketing, you will help shape the direction of the team.

• Contribute to paid media strategy, process development, and innovation
• Support internal training and mentorship of team members
• Help elevate execution standards across accounts
• Provide strategic input on tools, workflows, and testing frameworks
• Act as a senior voice in problem-solving and performance troubleshooting

Measurement, Tracking & Attribution

You will play a key role in ensuring performance is measured accurately and meaningfully.

• Oversee conversion tracking strategy using:
• Google Analytics 4
• Google Tag Manager
• Ensure proper attribution across campaigns and channels
• Analyze performance data to drive actionable insights
• Build and interpret reporting dashboards (Looker Studio or similar)

Cross-Channel Collaboration (Support, Not Ownership)

• Partner with paid social, SEO, and creative teams to align campaign strategy
• Provide input on full-funnel performance and messaging
• Contribute to integrated campaign planning

Note: This role is focused on Google Ads. Other channels are collaborative, not primary ownership.

QUALIFICATIONSMust Have Experience:

• 5–8+ years of hands-on Google Ads experience
• Proven success managing and optimizing campaigns with meaningful monthly ad spend ($50K+/month preferred)
• Deep expertise in:
• Paid Search
• Performance Max
• Conversion tracking and attribution
• Smart bidding strategies
• Demonstrated ability to improve performance metrics (CPL, CPA, ROAS)
• Strong experience in lead generation campaigns (highly preferred)

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in:
• Google Ads
• Google Analytics 4
• Google Tag Manager
• Looker Studio (or similar reporting tools)
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into strategy

Client & Communication Skills

• Experience in client-facing roles, leading strategy discussions
• Ability to clearly explain performance, insights, and recommendations
• Confident, concise communicator

Nice to Have (Not Required)

• Familiarity with Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)
• Exposure to programmatic platforms
• Understanding of SEO fundamentals

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• You consistently hit or exceed client KPIs
• You proactively identify and execute performance improvements
• Clients trust you as a strategic partner—not just an executor
• You elevate the performance and thinking of the team around you
• You grow into a key leader within the department

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

This role is intentionally designed as a leadership track position.

High performers will have the opportunity to:

• Take on expanded team leadership responsibilities
• Mentor and develop junior team members
• Influence agency-wide paid media strategy
• Grow into a Director-level role over timeWHY NDG

• Fully remote environment with a high-performing, collaborative team
• Work on meaningful campaigns with leading homebuilders nationwide
• Performance-driven culture focused on results, not vanity metrics
• Clear investment in professional growth and leadership development

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary based on experience
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous PTO (5 weeks total, inclusive of holidays and sick leave)

FINAL NOTE

We are looking for someone who:

• Thrives in a fully remote environment with a high-performing, collaborative team
• Loves the craft of paid search
• Takes ownership of results
• Wants to grow into leadership role

If that sounds like you, we should talk