Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re looking to hire a Paid Media Manager to work hybrid on-site in Santa Monica, CA.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the strategy and execution of programmatic and YouTube media channels across performance, brand, and original content campaigns. The Paid Media Manager will collaborate with internal teams and external media agencies, conduct in-depth media testing, and manage campaigns using platforms like Google DV360, Yahoo, The Trade Desk, and Google Ads for YouTube.

Paid Media Manager Responsibilities:

• Develop and own Programmatic and YouTube strategy aligned with subscriber acquisition, brand, and original content goals.

• Oversee daily workflow of all Programmatic and YouTube campaigns, including proposal development, activation, maintenance, and post-buy recaps.

• Manage the agency of record for planning, execution, and optimization of both brand and direct response campaigns.

• Track, monitor, test, and optimize campaigns against key performance metrics.

• Optimize and manage budget across DSPs to ensure positive return on marketing spend.

• Partner with analytics team to maintain an incrementality-focused testing roadmap with continuous A/B and other experiments.

• Use MMM (Marketing Mix Modeling), audience insights, viewership trends, and competitive intel to develop go-to-market strategies.

• Monitor subscriber acquisition performance and provide strategic insights and recommendations.

• Deliver comprehensive post-campaign analyses and share results with internal and external stakeholders.

• Collaborate on creative and landing page testing to ensure an optimal user experience.

• Work cross-functionally with campaign managers, creatives, channel leads, ad ops, product, and analytics teams to successfully execute campaigns.

Paid Media Manager Qualifications:

• 6+ years of digital planning experience with a strong focus on Programmatic and YouTube.

• Expertise with major DSPs: DV360, The Trade Desk, Yahoo, and Google Ads.

• Proven success running brand and performance/direct-response campaigns.

• In-depth understanding of acquisition strategy, ideally within DTC or subscription-based businesses.

• Strong experience with data-driven testing and strategies (A/B testing, Brand Lift Studies, Ghost Bidding, Geo Experimentation).

• Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills.

• Hands-on experience with biddable media channels and in-platform planning.

• Familiarity with campaign tracking, mobile/digital attribution, and tag management.

• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

• Knowledge of digital marketing creative best practices.

• Effective communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic environment.

• Flexible, proactive, and a collaborative team player.

• Experience in the entertainment industry (preferred).

• Previous agency experience (preferred).

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Life Insurance.

• 401(k) Program.

• Commuter Benefit.

• eLearning & Ongoing Training.

• Education Reimbursement.

*Eligibility requires working over 30 hours per week on an assignment lasting at least 10 weeks.

If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, apply today! Our team will connect with you to discuss next steps, support you through the interview process, and advocate for your success.

About Onward Search

Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing, and technology professionals. We work with our nationwide clients to continuously pipeline and fill specialized roles. As such, not all jobs contain an application deadline.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment.
EOE/M/F/D/V/SO

Inclusive Hiring Practices

We’re committed to making every part of our hiring process accessible and inclusive. If you need any accommodations or adjustments to support you during the application or interview process, please contact us at inclusivehiring@onwardsearch.com.

Employment Eligibility

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. We are unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp / Independent Contractor arrangements. All freelancers will be hired as W2 employees.

Benefits

We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan to all eligible full-time temporary employees. Onward Search is a drug-free workplace.

Virtual Interview Process

To help streamline the hiring process and ensure a more flexible and accessible experience for all candidates, we’ve partnered with Apriora, a virtual interviewing platform. For select job openings, you may receive an invitation to interview with Alex, our virtual interviewer, via email at alex@onwardsearch.com.

Alex will guide you through a brief set of questions to help us better understand your background and interests. The virtual interview can be completed on your own time, and your responses will be reviewed by our recruiting team as part of the screening process.

To learn more about the platform, visit Apriora’s website.

Job Seeker Scam Alert

We’ve become aware of fraudulent recruiters impersonating Onward Search representatives to collect personal or financial information from potential job seekers. Please be vigilant and always protect your information. Learn more about potential threats and how to protect yourself by visiting our job seeker scam alert page.