Overview
Hybrid | UK (Liverpool, Leeds or Dunfermline) | Full-time
At Velstar, paid media is a core driver of growth for ambitious eCommerce brands. We’re looking for a Senior Paid Search Manager to lead performance across our largest and most complex client accounts, combining deep platform expertise with strong commercial thinking and team influence.
This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who not only delivers exceptional results but also sets the standard for how paid search is approached across the team.
The role
As a Senior Paid Search Manager, you’ll act as a subject matter expert within a cross-functional performance team, owning high-value client accounts end-to-end. You’ll manage strategy, execution and optimisation across complex, high-budget campaigns, ensuring activity is aligned to real business outcomes.
Beyond your own accounts, you’ll support and mentor junior team members, contribute to team standards, and help shape how paid search evolves at Velstar.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Owning and scaling paid search programmes across high-budget, complex eCommerce accounts
* Planning, building and managing campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads (Search & Shopping)
* Monitoring budgets and pacing to ensure alignment with commercial objectives
* Optimising for profitable acquisition (CPA, new customer cost, margin contribution)
* Running structured testing programmes to improve performance and conversion
* Evaluating automation and smart bidding critically, applying human judgement where needed
* Using AI tools to enhance efficiency across campaign builds, analysis and optimisation
* Delivering clear, commercially grounded reporting with actionable recommendations
* Forecasting performance using historical data and market trends
* Identifying and driving growth opportunities across accounts
* Acting as a confident client-facing expert, presenting strategy, performance and insight
* Collaborating with account and success teams to support retention and growth
* Supporting audits, strategic projects and knowledge sharing across the Paid Media team
Mentoring and team contribution
* Supporting and guiding junior team members day-to-day
* Sharing knowledge and best practice across the team
* Providing constructive feedback to improve overall output quality
* Helping unblock challenges and improve team capability
* Setting the standard for professionalism, reliability and delivery
What we’re looking for
You’re an experienced paid search specialist with strong commercial awareness and a natural leadership style. You’re comfortable owning complex accounts, making decisions, and helping others develop.
You’ll likely have:
* Significant experience in paid search, ideally agency-side across eCommerce clients
* Strong expertise in Google Ads (Search and Shopping campaigns)
* Experience managing large budgets and complex account structures
* Confidence using Google Ads Editor for builds and bulk management
* Proven ability to apply AI and automation effectively within paid search workflows
* A strong commercial mindset, understanding profitability and acquisition economics
* Experience working with eCommerce platforms and performance data
* Strong analytical skills and confidence working with large datasets
* Excellent communication skills, including presenting to senior stakeholders
* Experience mentoring or supporting more junior team members
* The ability to manage multiple complex accounts independently
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 performance across large, complex client accounts
* High-quality execution, optimisation and budget management
* Strong strategic input and proactive identification of growth opportunities
* Positive client feedback and clear, confident communication
* Accurate, insightful reporting with clear next steps
* Active contribution to team development and knowledge sharing
Why Velstar?
* Hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week in one of our offices)
* A senior role with ownership of high-value client performance
* The opportunity to influence standards and mentor others within the team
* A collaborative, cross-functional environment focused on growth
* A culture that values commercial thinking, expertise and continuous improvement
If you’re ready to take ownership of complex paid search programmes and play a key role in shaping team standards, we’d love to hear from you.
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