Paid Search Manager

Job Description Overview We are seeking a performance‑obsessed, AI‑first leader to own Caesars Digital’s Paid Search and Programmatic channels. You will drive scale, efficiency, and competitive edge through modern account structures, advanced automation, sharp optimization, and continuous experimentation across search, app search, and major DSPs. You will run a high‑impact performance engine and partner closely with Brand, CRM/Lifecycle, Product, MarTech, and Analytics to maximize signal quality, cross‑channel impact, and business results. The ideal candidate brings deep channel mastery, strategic clarity, and operational pace—with a strong grasp of how AI reshapes search and programmatic, and a proven ability to accelerate growth in complex environments. We are seeking a performance‑obsessed, AI‑first leader to own Caesars Digital’s Paid Search and Programmatic channels. You will drive scale, efficiency, and competitive edge through modern account structures, advanced automation, sharp optimization, and continuous experimentation across search, app search, and major DSPs. You will run a high‑impact performance engine and partner closely with Brand, CRM/Lifecycle, Product, MarTech, and Analytics to maximize signal quality, cross‑channel impact, and business results. Responsibilities Strategy & Planning: Translate annual FTD and revenue targets into channel‑specific strategies for Paid Search, App Search, and Programmatic with clear roles, performance expectations, and investment levels. Architect modern, AI‑driven structures for search and programmatic – query‑less frameworks, audience‑first design, automation‑forward bidding, and adaptive segmentation. Build integrated multi‑channel plans aligned with Brand, CRM/Lifecycle, Product, and Media to ensure optimal marginal impact and efficient cross‑channel balance. Create scenario and pacing models that anticipate regulatory changes, competitive behavior, and platform algorithm shifts. Define channel guardrails and measurement frameworks that support aggressive growth while protecting ROI. Activation & Optimization: Lead daily and weekly performance management across all search and programmatic campaigns—driving precision optimization across bids, audiences, creative, placement mix, and automation strategies. Build and run a rigorous test‑and‑learn roadmap covering creative, offers, signals, incrementality, bidding strategies, and cross‑channel interactions. Ensure world‑class data, tagging, tracking, and trafficking hygiene, partnering with MarTech to maximize signal quality and feed health. Advance AI‑driven optimization workflows to increase speed, unlock new efficiencies, and sustain competitive advantage. Maintain elite QA standards across campaign launches, platform changes, and product updates. Budget Ownership & Financial Rigor: Own annual and in‑year budgets for Paid Search and Programmatic, ensuring disciplined allocation and reallocation toward highest‑return opportunities. Publish forecasts, pacing reports, and variance explanations with a high degree of financial rigor and accuracy. Maintain strict spend governance including IO hygiene, commitment management, and reconciliation. Monitor and manage CPA, ROAS, payback windows, and marginal returns to maximize both efficiency and scale. Agency & Partner Leadership: Direct multiple agency teams (search, programmatic, app search) against one unified plan with clear KPIs and shared performance expectations. Raise the bar on craft and excellence—inventory selection, bidding practices, creative fit, audience sophistication, and brand safety. Drive partner accountability by insisting on transparency, depth of insight, and timely action across all agency deliverables. Build strong relationships with major platform partners (Google, Microsoft, DSPs) to unlock beta access, new capabilities, and first‑mover advantages. Cross‑Functional Influence: Translate performance trends into crisp, executive‑level narratives with recommendations, decisions, and next‑best actions. Serve as the internal expert on how Paid Search and Programmatic contribute to the broader marketing mix and customer journey. Leadership Through Change: Lead transformation of how Caesars Digital approaches Paid Search and Programmatic—elevating talent, structures, standards, and operating models. Coach specialists and agency partners to become elite, AI‑first operators with high expectations for speed, experimentation, and accountability. Foster a culture that values clarity, pace, innovation, measurement hygiene, and relentless improvement. Bring stability and leadership in a fast‑moving environment—anticipating issues, removing barriers, and pushing the organization forward. Key Outputs (What Success Looks Like): ROI‑positive, AI‑driven media plans delivering against CAC/CPA, FTDs, ROAS, and payback windows. Modern channel playbooks for search, app search, and programmatic with guardrails, benchmarks, and test‑and‑learn frameworks. Forecasts and pacing that consistently land within ±2–3% of budget. Executive‑ready strategic readouts with clear insights, decisions, and next‑best actions. Demonstrable capability uplift across automation, signal quality, measurement, creative testing velocity, and agency performance. A more efficient, modernized, and competitive media engine built for scale. Qualifications: 5-8+ years in performance/growth marketing with hands‑on ownership of Paid Search and Programmatic at scale; experience in complex, matrixed, or highly regulated environments preferred. Deep expertise in modern paid search structures (query‑less, audience‑first, automation‑driven) and programmatic ecosystems (DSPs, audience design, inventory strategy, optimization levers). Demonstrated mastery of AI‑driven optimization, including bidding automation, signal enhancement, creative adaptation, and performance modeling. Strong fluency in budget planning, pacing, forecasting, financial rigor, and the metrics that govern sustainable growth (ROI, marginal ROAS, LTV/CAC, payback). Proven agency leadership experience—holding partners to high standards, driving clarity, and ensuring unified execution across multiple teams. High technical proficiency across measurement, experimentation, attribution (MMM/MTA), tagging/trafficking standards, app measurement, and signal quality best practices. A track record of change leadership—modernizing operating models, elevating talent, and raising executional standards. Exceptional executive communication: able to translate complexity into crisp insights, decisions, and action. Bachelor’s degree required; gaming, sports, or another complex/regulatory category preferred. Additional Requirements: High bar for brand safety, compliance, and responsible marketing, especially within a highly regulated category. Comfortable operating in fast‑cycle environments (major sports moments, peak seasonality, market launches) when the business requires rapid response. Ability to work across multiple brands and state‑by‑state regulatory frameworks, adapting strategies without losing speed or impact. Willingness to travel for market launches, partner meetings, business reviews, and onsite leadership sessions. Strong commitment to data integrity, measurement hygiene, and platform accuracy, ensuring decisions are grounded in reliable signals. Operates with a continuous‑improvement mindset, always raising the bar on automation, experimentation, and cross‑channel effectiveness. About Us Caesars Digital is part of Caesars Entertainment. We believe every Team Member should be treated like royalty. We are committed to delivering legendary service and creating unforgettable experiences for our customers. We are building digital platforms and partnerships across sports, entertainment, and gaming, and look for leaders who want to blaze the trail with us. Ready to make your mark on the Empire? Explore our open roles and discover how you can help shape the future of gaming. Join us. Blaze the Trail. Because at Caesars Digital, We Are All Caesars. #J-18808-Ljbffr Caesars Entertainment Corporation