Senior Paid Media Specialist

Senior Paid Media (Google Ads & Meta Ads) | R17 Ventures | Hybrid | Cape Town, South Africa

About R17 Ventures

We are a full-service digital powerhouse specializing in delivering performance and scalable results for clients across the globe. Our work is rooted in a comprehensive, omni-channel approach spanning four core areas: paid media, content creation, e-commerce platform development, and venture building. Our core values are passion, transparency, embracing individuality, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Key Responsibilities

Google Ads Mastery (Primary)

• Own large, complex Google Ads accounts end to end across Search, Shopping, Performance Max, Demand Gen and YouTube, for e-commerce and lead gen clients.
• Build account structures for scale and strong signal quality, and choose and calibrate bidding strategies based on data volume, margin and business goals.
• Use advanced levers such as feed optimisation and custom labels, value-based bidding, offline conversion imports, enhanced conversions and customer match.

Meta Ads (Secondary)

• Plan and optimise Meta campaigns with a strong grasp of creative testing and signal quality (CAPI, event match quality), working with Google as one system.

Commercial & Unit Economics

• Understand each client’s unit economics (AOV, margin, CAC, LTV, lead-to-close rates) and turn them into platform targets.
• Optimise toward profit and real business outcomes (revenue, contribution margin, new customers, qualified pipeline), not just platform-reported conversions.

Analysis & Insight

• Run deep analysis across search terms, auction insights, audiences, products, creative and landing pages to find the real growth levers.
• Use GA4, platform and CRM data to understand the full customer journey, challenge platform attribution and think in terms of incrementality.
• Spot tracking, feed, landing-page and performance issues early and diagnose their root cause.

Forecasting, Testing & Budgets

• Forecast performance and model scenarios for clients and pitches, grounded in unit economics.
• Manage budgets and pacing to maximise marginal return, and run structured testing roadmaps with clear hypotheses.

Client Leadership & Team Impact

• Turn data into clear commercial recommendations, push back with evidence when needed, and take full ownership of account performance.
• Work closely with pod leads, creatives and specialists, and raise the technical and commercial bar across the team.

What We’re Looking For

Must-Haves

• 5+ years hands-on experience in paid media / PPC
• Advanced experience across all Google Ads campaign types
• Solid working experience with Meta Ads
• CRO or landing page optimisation experience
• GA4, GTM, and attribution knowledge
• Experience with CRM integrations and lead routing
• Proven results across ecommerce and lead generation accounts
• Comfortable owning accounts independently and at scale

Nice-to-Haves

• Microsoft Ads experience
• Agency experience
• International market exposure (DACH / EU, UK, US)
• Experience with email marketing
• German speaker

Knowledge Sharing & Upskilling (Important)

We’re looking for someone who enjoys teaching and enabling others. This role includes:

• Cross-pod collaboration to upskill team members
• Staying up to date with platform trends, betas, and changes
• Sharing learnings, insights, and best practices across the business
• Supporting colleagues with account strategy and problem-solving
• Contributing to or leading training sessions, workshops, or internal playbooks

How You’ll Succeed in This Role

• You think in systems, not silos
• You care about incrementality and long-term growth
• You’re confident making decisions, and owning the outcome
• You challenge “best practice” when the data says otherwise

What We Offer

• A competitive, market-related salary with real earning potential through performance-based bonuses and upsell commission opportunities.
• A structured hybrid model: collaborate in person on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and work remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Flexitime that works around your rhythm: choose between 06:00-15:00, 07:00-16:00, 08:00-17:00, 09:00-18:00 or 10:00-19:00.
• A premium office at the V&A Waterfront with some of the best views in Cape Town, plus company-paid on-site parking.
• Meaningful healthcare support, including a 50% contribution toward Discovery Medical Aid and Vitality for the main member.
• Time off that recognises you are human, 25 days of leave with dedicated quarterly mental health days and birthday leave.
• Ongoing investment in your development through annual education and upskilling support.
• International career exposure through working with clients, markets and teams across the globe.
• A culture that genuinely enjoys spending time together, with memorable team socials - think Friday socials, paddle, quiz nights and sunset yacht cruises.
• Annual long-service rewards that recognise and reward your continued journey with R17

Our Hiring Process

1. Application Review
2. First Round Interview: Share your goals, get an insight into our culture, and explore alignment
3. Second Round Technical Interview: Real scenarios to demonstrate your strategic thinking & technical fit
4. In-Person & Culture Fit Interview: A deeper, in-person (where possible) assessment of values, mindset, and working styles
5. Offer: Align on role expectations, growth pathways, and long-term success

To Apply

If you are interested, please apply via this LinkedIn posting and complete the form to submit your application! If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.