Freelance Senior Paid Media Manager - Social and Search

Freelance Senior Paid Media Manager - Social and Search Marketing Incubeta City Of Cape Town , South Africa Until 2026/08/08 Temporary Fully remote Job description

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Freelance Senior Paid Media Manager to lead and execute paid media strategies across social and search channels for a 6-12 month period. You will be a key player in driving our clients' online success by maximizing their return on investment (ROI) and achieving their business objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of the paid media landscape, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record of managing successful campaigns. You will be reporting directly to the head of Paid Media. SO WHAT IS A Senior Media Manager? The Senior Paid Media Manager defines and executes data-driven digital strategies to maximize the value of advertising investments for our clients. You will be responsible for developing advanced, paid social media, and paid search strategies, ensuring successful campaign implementation, budget optimization, and tracking of performance metrics. This role requires in-depth knowledge of programmatic buying technologies, audience targeting, and a keen ability to identify the best inventory and bidding strategies to achieve client goals. Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders will be key to delivering best-in-class results. Please note: While this is a high-impact, independent freelance position, it offers substantial integration into our team and core workflows, providing incredible project exposure within South Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Expérience

• 5+ years of experience in digital marketing with a focus on paid media strategy, including Social and Search platforms. Strong experience in managing high-budget campaigns with a clear focus on ROI and performance metrics. Extensive experience in optimizing cross-channel campaigns for video, mobile, and display advertising. Ability to interpret GA4 data and leverage insights to optimize campaigns. Technical troubleshooting skills related to buying platforms, with a focus on proactive solutions. Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable strategy and reporting. Exceptional client communication skills, with experience in presenting complex performance insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders. Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Bachelor's degree or higher in Marketing, Business, or a related field. Ability to work closely with senior team members to take direction with campaigns Very diligent – staying on top of the details Ability to succeed in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment Strong organizational and time management skills

ADVANTAGEOUS

Experience working within a media agency in a senior PPC/Google Ads/DV360 / Search role. Familiarity with Google Campaign Manager (CM), SSPs, and exchanges. Expertise in performance marketing and lead generation campaigns. Proficiency with Google Tag Manager 360 or other tag management platforms.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Effective Technical Communicator : Able to distill complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders. Passion for Digital Marketing and Ad Tech : Strong interest in staying ahead of online advertising technology trends and platforms. Autonomous and Resourceful : Proactive in identifying opportunities, solving problems, and taking ownership of tasks, a vital attribute for an independent freelancer. Self-Motivated and Driven : Demonstrates initiative, continuously seeks improvement, and remains committed to excellence. Composure Under Pressure : Ability to stay calm and maintain performance standards in high-pressure situations. Team Collaboration : Works effectively with colleagues and consultants, while also being able to take direction and align with broader strategy. Knowledge Sharing : Actively contributes to the team's growth by sharing insights, experiences, and expertise. This is a requirement from all Senior team members. Strategic Campaign Setup: Conduct thorough research and implement strategies based on the guidance from country consultants and client goals. Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external consultants, account managers, and clients to craft and execute media buying strategies. Seamless Integration: Partner with the CM (Campaign Manager) team to ensure integration across the full GMP (Google Marketing Platform) stack for relevant clients. Technical Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve issues within the Campaign Manager platform, offering actionable solutions. Cross-

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