Retail Media Search Manager

ROLE: RETAIL MEDIA SEARCH MANAGER TEAM: MEDIA LOCATION: TORONTO (HYBRID ONSITE) COMPANY OVERVIEW Salt is a North American marketing agency that creates connected experiences through creative, digital & media innovation. Our mission is to “Earn the World’s Attention,” and Salt is built to find, develop, execute, and amplify the ideas that matter to our clients’ audiences. We are structured to do what’s right for our clients — connecting perspectives, operating across mediums, and ensuring meaningful, effective creative solutions. We live the values in our name. “Salt of the Earth” reflects how we work: collaborative, humble, and hard-working. We believe talent and culture create great work — so we're looking for people who are as smart as they are kind. ROLE OVERVIEW We are seeking an experienced Retail Media Search Manager to lead strategy, execution, and team development across retail media platforms. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in Walmart Connect, Target Roundel, and Amazon Ads — combined with the ability to lead a small team, own senior client relationships, and build the scalable playbooks that elevate how we work. A Skai Certification is required. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Team Leadership & Development Lead and mentor a team of 1–3 Retail Media Search Associates, providing day-to-day direction, performance feedback, and career development support. Set quality standards and review processes to ensure consistent, accurate campaign execution across all team accounts. Build onboarding materials, training guides, and optimization playbooks to scale team capabilities and reduce reliance on institutional knowledge. Identify skill gaps on the team and partner with leadership to address them through coaching, training, or resource development. Strategic Planning & Client Ownership Develop retail media strategies grounded in client business goals, category dynamics, and competitive landscape — across Walmart Connect, Target Roundel, and Amazon Ads. Own senior client relationships independently: present strategy, performance insights, and growth recommendations with confidence and authority. Proactively surface growth opportunities and bring forward-looking POVs on emerging platforms, tools, and retail media trends. Campaign Execution & Optimization Personally manage a portfolio of retail media search campaigns — handling daily budget pacing, keyword bidding, placement adjustments, and bid-strategy refinements with hands-on precision. Oversee and quality-check campaign execution across the broader team portfolio, ensuring consistent accuracy and on-time delivery. Identify cross-portfolio patterns and apply learnings systematically to raise performance across all accounts. Serve as the escalation point for complex campaign issues; troubleshoot and resolve with minimal disruption to client delivery. Use consumer behavioUr data, top-of-search tactics, and platform capabilities to drive continuous improvement in paid search outcomes. Reporting & Insights Ensure high-quality performance reporting across all team accounts — monthly, quarterly, and mid-year — highlighting key trends, category influences, and actionable recommendations. Synthesize patterns across the portfolio and translate findings into strategic guidance for both clients and internal stakeholders. Monitor marketplace events (e.g., seasonal trends, category promotions, platform updates) and develop proactive response frameworks for the team. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Media Strategy, Analytics, and Account Management to align retail search execution with broader media planning and client objectives. Contribute to Salt Media's Retail Media practice by sharing POVs on platform developments, test-and-learn results, and emerging best practices. Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure all deliverables are coordinated, on-brand, and delivered on time. REQUIREMENTS 5+ years of hands-on paid search experience, with at least 2 years managing retail media campaigns across Walmart Connect, Target Roundel, and Amazon Ads (Sponsored Products + Sponsored Brands). Skai Certification required; proven ability to guide and train others on platform mechanics and optimization strategy. Experience managing or mentoring junior team members; comfortable providing direct feedback and supporting professional growth. Strong strategic thinking — able to connect campaign-level performance to broader client business goals and translate data into clear recommendations. Excellent communication and presentation skills; comfortable leading client conversations with senior stakeholders. Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets for data analysis, trend identification, and client-facing performance reporting. Highly organized, with the ability to oversee multiple accounts and manage competing priorities across a team. Agency background strongly preferred. Open to Canadian candidates. This role is fully remote. Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Advertising, or related field preferred. PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it: Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid setup, up to 28 paid days off and winter holiday shutdowns Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness, RRSPs, or extra time off. Growth-Driven Culture: Dedicated Salt Days, top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development. Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary team trips, seasonal socials, and Salt Swag that reps your squad. Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses, exclusive lifestyle perks, and personalized wellness options. Culture of Belonging: DEI programs, active ERGs, and a workplace where every voice counts. WHAT WE STAND FOR Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always. Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time. Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey. Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward. Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact. The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $70,000–$85,000. Individual compensation within this range is determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, level of responsibility, internal equity, and business needs. This range represents the expected base salary for this role and does not include other elements of SALT’s total rewards program. Salt XC is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.