[Hiring] Search Advertising Manager @Lithia & Driveway

Role Description

The Search Advertising Manager leads the development and execution of Paid Search (SEM) and emerging AI/LLM-driven search ads experiences. This role owns search advertising performance across the full funnel—awareness, conversion, and retention—by leveraging data, cross-channel insights, and advanced search technologies.

• Drive strategic direction of the Search Advertising channel to ensure maximum visibility, efficiency, and ROI
• Develop & implement best practices across traditional Search and AI-driven search channels for advertising
• Establish Search Advertising standards, focus areas, core KPIs, and SLAs for vendor partners
• Evaluate Search Advertising vendor partners across the Lithia dealer network while planning and executing quarterly audits
• Implement tracking solutions across web assets (GA4, GTM, pixels, tags) to ensure reliable data capture and reporting
• Oversee Google partnership as well as corresponding platforms including Google Ads, Google Merchant Center, YouTube, etc.
• Negotiate competitive fee structures with on-program Search Advertising partners
• Identify, test, and implement new search advertising tactics, automation, and optimization techniques
• Manage and optimize campaigns across Google Ads, Bing Ads, and other relevant platforms
• Oversee keyword segmentation, bidding strategies, audience targeting, and creative testing
• Adapt paid strategies for emerging AI search experiences (e.g., SGE, OpenAI Search, Chat-based retrieval systems)
• Guide teams in prompt-driven optimization, structured content development, and AI-friendly strategies
• Evaluate and integrate AI tools for workflow enhancements, content generation, insights, and automation
• Analyze search advertising and AI advertising performance and deliver actionable insights
• Build dashboards, reporting frameworks, and experiment analyses
• Translate data into clear strategic recommendations
• Collaborate with Media, Content, Analytics, and Creative teams
• Provide search advertising input for landing pages, site architecture, and campaign planning
• Educate teams on evolving search and AI trends and recommend best practices to improve performance

Qualifications

• 4–6+ years in Search advertising, ideally in growth-focused environments
• Proven experience managing substantial paid search budgets and campaign complexity
• Strong understanding of analytics platforms (GA4, GSC, Looker, etc.)
• Familiarity with AI/LLM search systems, prompt optimization, AI content workflows, and emerging search models (e.g., SGE, Perplexity, ChatGPT Search)
• Strong attention to detail, urgency, critical thinking, and time management
• Collaborative team player with experience working cross-functionally and with external agencies

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Paid Holidays & PTO
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Lithia Learning Center
• Vehicle Purchase Discounts
• Wellness Programs