Senior Paid Media Manager
Hustle
Sydney or Melbourne | Up to $120,000 + Super | Hybrid
The Agency
We are working exclusively with one of Australia's most awarded independent performance marketing agencies. Named Best Large Integrated Agency and Performance Agency of the Year at the 2025 APAC Search Awards, this is a business with serious momentum.
A growing client roster of nationally recognised brands across retail, ecommerce, education and financial services. A team culture built around challenger thinking, integrated delivery and genuine career development. And now, an expanded footprint into Asia.
They have a defined career framework, and this role sits squarely on the path to Paid Media Director.
The Role
As Senior Paid Media Manager, you will own a portfolio of Tier 1 accounts and lead a pod of Executives and Specialists to deliver best-in-class paid media strategy and performance.
This is not a purely executional role. You will be the senior voice in the room with clients, the strategic lead on 12-month roadmaps, and the person your pod looks to when things need to be solved.
Channel split:
Paid Search: 40 to 45%
Paid Social: 40 to 45%
Programmatic / wider channels: approx. 10%
What You Will Be Doing
Client and Strategy
Own strategic oversight for Tier 1 accounts, including 12-month roadmaps and best-in-class channel innovation
Lead senior client relationships, performance reviews, strategic conversations and QBRs with senior stakeholders
Identify and raise opportunities to grow the portfolio through cross-sell and upsell
Contribute to new business pitches, audits and client presentations
Proactively manage account health and flag risk early with a clear save plan
Team Leadership
Lead, manage and mentor a pod of Executives, Specialists and Coordinators
Run regular 1:1s and actively support career development
Foster a challenger culture and push the team to question the status quo
Manage team capacity to ensure Tier 1 deliverables are met within scoped hours
Commercial and Operations
Own 100% accuracy across billing, financial reconciliations and budget forecasting
Audit team tasks to keep the pod focused on high-impact, high-value work
Identify friction points in workflows and implement process improvements
Act as first line of support when major account issues or performance challenges arise
What We Are Looking For
5 plus years in paid media with strong agency background preferred
Proven ownership of Tier 1 or large client portfolios across multiple accounts
Genuine dual channel strength across both paid search and paid social, not a specialist in one
Hands-on implementation experience, not just oversight
Formal experience leading or mentoring junior team members
Strong grasp of GA4 and GTM for measurement and attribution
Commercial accuracy across billing, forecasting and reconciliations at account level
Nice to have
Programmatic exposure, particularly DV360
Background in retail, ecommerce, education or financial services
Experience contributing to or leading new business pitches
Has built or improved internal QC processes or reporting frameworks
You
Calm and decisive under pressure, confident leading through performance challenges without losing client trust
Commercially sharp, you understand how agency profitability works, not just campaign ROAS
A natural coach and people leader who invests in your team's growth
Challenger mindset, never satisfied with good enough
Confident communicator with both clients and senior internal stakeholders
Self-directed, you run your patch without needing close management
The Package
Salary: Up to $120,000 base plus super
Location: Sydney or Melbourne, your choice
Office: Hybrid, flexible, most of the team are in 2 to 3 days per week
Career path: Clear progression framework
Interested?
If you are ready to own a premium client portfolio, lead a high-performing pod and take the next real step in your career, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.