We are building a best-in-class marketing team from the ground up and are seeking an experienced, analytical, and AI-forward Paid Media & Ad Operations Lead. In this highly visible, client-facing role, you’ll own all aspects of campaign execution, optimization, troubleshooting, compliance, and reporting for paid media across our client portfolio. You will work closely with our strategist/account lead and project managers to deliver measurable results, outstanding client service, and help establish and refine our core paid media processes as our team grows.
Key Responsibilities:
- Media Planning & Execution
Set up, launch, monitor, and optimize paid advertising campaigns across platforms including Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram, LinkedIn, and others. Execute banner, display, retargeting, and other digital campaign types per client and strategist briefs. Manage campaign trafficking and ad placements, uploading creative assets provided by the creative team. Work directly in-platform to ensure campaigns run smoothly, on time, and on budget.
- Budget & Spend Management
Track, manage, and optimize campaign budgets and spend, ensuring efficient allocation and maximizing ROI. Provide real-time updates and recommendations for budget utilization and optimizations. Confidently work with substantial ad budgets, understanding the rigor and process required for campaigns at scale.
- Process Leadership & Operations
Spearhead the development, documentation, and continual improvement of paid media processes, including campaign setup, QA, reporting, and budget tracking. Establish and refine standard operating procedures to support agency growth and client excellence.
- Client Communication & Support
Serve as the primary client-facing expert for all media execution, reporting, and ad operations questions. Present campaign performance, explain metrics and optimizations, and translate data into actionable insights for clients. Make proactive recommendations to clients based on campaign data and industry best practices.
- Reporting & Dashboard Creation
Build, customize, and maintain real-time dashboards (using Google Data Studio, Looker, Tableau, or similar) for internal and client reporting. Create detailed, deep-dive monthly campaign reports that analyze performance, trends, optimizations, and key learnings. Present monthly campaign reports to clients, clearly communicating results, insights, and actionable recommendations in a client-facing setting.
Leverage AI-powered tools and automation platforms to optimize campaign management, reporting, and workflows. Stay ahead of AI trends in ad operations and recommend/implement new solutions to increase efficiency and performance.
- Vendor & Platform Management
Liaise with vendors, ad tech platforms, and publishers for campaign setup, troubleshooting, and optimization. Ensure all campaigns are compliant with platform policies and requirements.
- QA, Compliance & Troubleshooting
Conduct thorough quality assurance for all campaign setups, including verification of tracking, URLs, and adherence to platform policies. Oversee campaign compliance and promptly address any policy issues or disapprovals. Identify and resolve campaign delivery issues and serve as the point of contact for escalations with platform support teams.
- Email & Drip Campaign Familiarity
Set up and manage basic email and drip marketing campaigns via platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar (no content creation required; technical execution only).
Required Qualifications:
- Extensive hands-on experience managing digital ad campaigns with substantial budgets, ideally with cumulative responsibility for campaigns in the high six-figure to multi-million dollar range.
- Proven ability to design, implement, and refine operational processes for campaign management, QA, reporting, and budget oversight, particularly in a fast-paced or start-up environment.
- 4+ years of digital paid media experience, including in-platform campaign management, budget tracking, and optimization.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining custom dashboards and advanced reporting tools (Google Data Studio, Tableau, Looker, etc.).
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and communicate actionable insights to both internal and client stakeholders.
- Experience interacting with vendors, ad platforms, publishers, and managing campaign trafficking.
- Expertise in technical QA, ad policy compliance, and troubleshooting ad delivery/platform issues.
- Comfort and enthusiasm for adopting and utilizing AI-driven tools in digital media operations.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and documentation skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in client-facing roles.
- Familiarity with setting up and managing email and drip campaigns (focus on technical execution, not content creation).
What Will Set You Apart:
- Experience with advanced AI-driven media buying, optimization, or reporting tools.
- Familiarity with a broad range of ad platforms, including emerging channels (e.g., TikTok, programmatic display).
- A strong track record of independently building and improving digital media processes in a multi-client or agency environment.
- Demonstrated history of troubleshooting and resolving complex campaign or platform issues efficiently.
About 500 Designs:
Join the team of passionate problem solvers at 500 Designs, the award-winning design agency based in sunny Irvine, California. As one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., we're looking for talented individuals to help us tackle new challenges with wonder and curiosity.
Our 140+ person team specializes in strategy, branding, UI/UX, web design, creative, and development, providing clients with top-notch solutions that make a real impact. From crafting comprehensive brand strategies to designing stunning websites, we're committed to delivering innovative and high-quality work that helps our clients thrive.
At 500 Designs, we're not just a workplace – we're a community of talented individuals who are dedicated to growing, learning, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. If you're a passionate problem solver who's looking for an exciting and fulfilling career in the design industry, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of design.
Learn More About Us:
Ready to help us build a world-class paid media operation from the ground up? Apply now and play a foundational role in shaping the future of our agency’s digital marketing practice!