Paid Search Manager

Hybrid | UK (Liverpool, Leeds or Dunfermline) | Full-time At Velstar , paid media is a key driver of growth for ambitious eCommerce brands. We’re looking for a Paid Search Manager to take ownership of paid search performance across a portfolio of clients, combining strong platform expertise with commercial thinking to deliver profitable growth. This is a hands-on, client-facing role for someone who understands how to balance automation with critical thinking, and who can translate platform performance into real business outcomes. The role As a Paid Search Manager, you’ll act as the subject matter expert within a cross-functional performance team. You’ll manage and scale paid search programmes end-to-end, from strategy and build through to optimisation and reporting. You’ll work with eCommerce clients who care about profitability, meaning your decisions will be grounded in margins, customer acquisition costs and commercial impact, not just platform metrics. What you’ll be doing Planning, building and managing paid search campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads (Search & Shopping) Monitoring budgets and pacing to ensure spend aligns with client commercial goals Optimising campaigns to improve profitable acquisition (CPA, new customer cost, margin contribution) Running structured testing to improve performance and conversion outcomes Evaluating automated campaign types and applying critical thinking to platform recommendations Using AI tools to improve efficiency across research, campaign builds, ad copy and analysis Applying smart bidding strategies with a clear understanding of optimisation signals Delivering clear, commercially grounded performance reports with actionable next steps Using analytics tools to build a full picture of performance beyond platform data Forecasting performance using historical trends and seasonality Identifying growth opportunities and making evidence-based recommendations Acting as a confident client-facing expert, presenting performance and insight clearly Collaborating with account and success teams to support strong client relationships Supporting audits, strategic projects and knowledge sharing across the Paid Media team What we’re looking for You’re a commercially minded paid search specialist who understands how to drive performance beyond surface-level metrics. You’re confident owning accounts, making decisions, and communicating clearly with clients. You’ll likely have: 2+ years’ experience in paid search, ideally within an agency environment Strong hands-on experience with Google Ads (Search and Shopping campaigns) Experience using Google Ads Editor for campaign builds and management Confidence applying AI tools and automation within paid search workflows A strong commercial mindset, understanding profitability and acquisition economics Experience working with eCommerce data and platforms Proficiency with analytics tools and interpreting large datasets A broad understanding of paid media and how search fits within the wider mix Strong communication skills, including presenting to clients The ability to manage multiple accounts independently and prioritise effectively Nice to have: Microsoft Ads experience Experience across both eCommerce and lead generation campaigns Familiarity with attribution tools and multi-touch reporting Experience supporting pitches or pre-sales activity What success looks like Success in this role is measured through: Delivery of profitable client performance aligned to commercial goals High-quality campaign execution, optimisation and budget management Strong strategic contribution and proactive identification of growth opportunities Positive client feedback and clear, confident communication Accurate, insightful reporting with actionable recommendations Effective workload management and consistent delivery across accounts Why Velstar? Hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week one of our offices) A hands-on role with real ownership of performance and outcomes The opportunity to work with ambitious eCommerce brands focused on growth A collaborative, cross-functional team environment A culture that values commercial thinking, curiosity and continuous improvement If you’re passionate about paid search, enjoy balancing data with commercial thinking, and want to make a real impact on client growth, we’d love to hear from you.