PPC Manager

Job description

Role: PPC Manager Location: Bucharest, Romania Job type: Full time, Permanent – Hybrid Salary: 165,000 - 210,000 RON Gross Why QS? At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other. It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives. Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector. At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector. We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive. As a PPC Manager, this is what you’ll be doing: At QS, we are driven by the mission to help individuals achieve their career and educational potential. As a PPC Manager, you will play a key role in driving performance marketing initiatives that support QS Events globally. This role combines both strategic thinking and hands-on campaign execution, with ownership of Paid Search and Paid Social activity to drive high-quality student engagement and event registrations across key markets. Working closely with the Head of Performance and regional marketing teams, you will analyse campaign performance, identify opportunities to scale acquisition, and continuously optimise paid media campaigns to improve conversion outcomes and lead quality. You will bring a data-driven approach to performance marketing, ensuring campaigns are built on strong tracking frameworks, audience strategies, and ongoing experimentation. Role responsibilities: Own the paid media strategy for QS Events campaigns, developing scalable performance marketing initiatives that drive high-quality leads and registrations across key markets. Work closely with regional marketing teams and directors to ensure paid media campaigns align with wider business objectives and event priorities, while identifying opportunities to improve campaign structure and efficiency. Monitor and analyse the performance of QS Events campaigns, taking continuous optimisation actions to improve scalability, lead quality, and return on ad spend. Design and implement audience targeting and segmentation strategies that guide prospective students through the marketing funnel from awareness and engagement through to conversion. Drive testing and experimentation initiatives, including the adoption of AI-driven tools and automation features, to unlock incremental improvements in campaign performance. Partner with PPC executives to share best practices, introduce new optimisation approaches, and elevate campaign performance across the team. Analyse historical and real-time campaign performance data to provide actionable insights and recommendations that support strategic decision-making. Foster strong cross-team communication by sharing performance insights and campaign learnings with stakeholders across marketing and regional teams. Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role. Key skills and experience: The ideal candidate will have: Strong understanding of performance marketing and PPC acquisition strategies, with excellent attention to detail and a results-driven mindset. Proven experience managing Paid Search and Paid Social campaigns, with a track record of optimising multiple PPC accounts to drive measurable performance improvements. Experience leveraging automation and AI-driven features within paid media platforms to test, optimise, and scale campaign performance. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use website analytics, search data, and campaign insights to shape effective acquisition strategies. Solid knowledge of web analytics platforms such as GA4, with experience interpreting campaign performance and identifying optimisation opportunities. Confidence working with large datasets, performance reports, and conversion funnels to improve audience acquisition and campaign efficiency. Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and priorities effectively. A proactive problem-solving mindset, with the ability to identify critical issues and implement effective solutions. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate performance insights into clear recommendations for stakeholders. So, who are we and what do we do? QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success. We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures. Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education. Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London. With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education? We take investing in our people very seriously. As standard you will have: Salary of 165,000 - 210,000 RON Gross per annum Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only) 21 days annual leave (one additional seniority day is added to the annual leave each year, up to a maximum of 25 days per year) Sick without certificate leave: Three days paid medical leave, without medical certificate Wellness Allowance of 110 RON to support your personal wellbeing. Meal tickets Medical subscription to Regina Maria A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth, and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset: Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event Support for volunteering and study leave Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now! As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages, and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space. Equal opportunities QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.