PPC Ads Specialist

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Ad Specialist

We are looking for candidates based in the Dublin or Cambridge area.

As a member of the CEG Online Digital Marketing team, reporting to the Head of Paid Media, we are seeking a results-driven PPC Ads Specialist to lead the development, execution, and optimisation of paid search marketing campaigns promoting our organisation s online postgraduate programmes. The role will manage paid search activity across approximately 1-2 brands, a portfolio of around 15 programmes and targeting audiences in more than 10 countries.

This role focuses primarily on platforms such as Google Ads (Search, Display, You Tube) and Microsoft Ads. The primary objective is to drive high-quality leads, improve conversion rates and optimise cost per lead (CPL), while contributing to overall return on ad spend (ROAS).

The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and highly performance-focused, with a strong understanding of keyword strategy, bidding models, and conversion tracking. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, analytics, web, SEO, and sales, while contributing to budget management, reporting, and ongoing optimisation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced PPC professional who thrives in a data-driven, fast-paced environment and has a proven track record of delivering lead generation campaigns, managing budgets and driving measurable commercial outcomes.

• Own the day-to-day paid search strategy and performance across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads, translating business acquisition targets into campaign plans, testing priorities and optimisation roadmaps.
• Plan, launch, and manage PPC campaigns across Google Ads (Search, Display, You Tube) and Microsoft Ads
• Conduct in-depth keyword research, build and refine keyword lists, and manage match types and negative keywords

• Take ownership of budget pacing, forecasting and allocation across campaigns, proactively reallocating spend to maximise qualified lead volume and improve acquisition efficiency, identify cost‑saving opportunities and scale performance within agreed budget parameters.
• Exercise day‑to‑day judgement over campaign budget allocation and optimisation to maximise ROI, within agreed budget parameters, escalating material changes or strategic decisions to the Head of Paid Media as appropriate.
• Manage and optimise an annual paid media budget

• Hands‑on implementation, optimisation and troubleshooting of Google Tag Manager, Google Ads conversion tracking, GA4 and attribution measurement.
• Own the ongoing quality assurance of paid media measurement, ensuring conversion tracking and attribution data are accurate and reliable, and coordinating resolution of discrepancies with technical teams.
• Monitor and analyse key PPC metrics (CPC, CTR, Quality Score, CPA, CAC, conversions)
• Use GA4, CRM systems, and reporting tools to generate actionable insights

• Develop and refine audience targeting strategies, including remarketing and in‑market audiences
• Collaborate on landing page optimisation to improve Quality Score and conversion performance

• Bachelor s degree in Marketing, Business or related field

• 5+ years' experience managing large-scale Google Ads and Microsoft Ads campaigns, with proven success delivering lead generation and customer acquisition targets.
• Strong knowledge of keyword research, campaign structure, audience targeting, bidding strategies and conversion optimisation.
• Hands-on experience with Google Ads, GA4, Google Tag Manager, conversion tracking, attribution, and campaign measurement.

• Strong analytical,…