JOB OVERVIEW:
The Associate Manager, Digital Media Activation plays a key role on the Darden Paid Digital Media team working with internal and external partners including: Digital Brand Managers, Brand Stakeholders; Media Strategy & Analytics, CRM, and Enterprise Digital Marketing (EDM), to develop and execute Paid Digital Media campaigns across Paid Search and Paid Social for multiple Darden Brands. He/she will lead the activation of core digital marketing strategies and technologies relating to Paid Search, Paid Social and other key Paid Digital Media Channels to facilitate best practices, driving profitable ROI across all Paid Digital Media activations. Responsible for the planning, execution and optimization of media campaigns across various platforms including but not limited to Google Ads and Facebook Ads, ensuring best practices are met in the day-to-day execution. This individual leads the implementation of intra-channel keyword/audience activation and targeting for respective brands, inclusive of 1st Party Data usage; and coordinates media strategies across multiple brands to leverage our scale, data, and insights for maximum efficiency in the restaurant category. This position also collaborates with brands and business partners to develop strategies on how best to utilize Paid Digital Media in conjunction with organic and local search, online video, and/or display / programmatic media; develops recommendations; and leverages members of the broader Marketing team to meet business objectives.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and supports Paid Search & Paid Social marketing activation and analysis.

• Champions cross-brand integrated media strategies and explains the benefits/results of initiatives to a wide variety of stakeholders including Senior Executives and below via integrated knowledge sharing or performance reviews.

• Sets KPIs with regards to Paid Digital Media ensuring optimal performance.

• Serves as stakeholder for digital marketing impact for IT/marketing technology development on web and mobile sites and mobile applications to safeguard working media investment across all Paid channels.

• Produces clear and concise strategic recommendations for Brand and Digital Marketing teams to drive profitable outcomes against brand business objectives through Paid Digital Media activation.

• Helps lead the enterprise relationship and contract negotiation with publishers to understand the efficacy of those partnerships and make recommendations to Darden brands on how to budget and leverage them on an ongoing basis.

• Develops and documents processes for best-in-class integrated media leveraging tools such as: Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Search Ads 360, Google Search Console, Google My Business, Google Trends, and more.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• 5 years of experience in paid, owned, and earned digital marketing with a specialized focus in Paid Digital Media (Paid Social, Paid Search, PPC, SEM, Display, Online Video etc.).

• Experience should include developing and supporting digital marketing strategies and managing large Digital Media budgets and accounts.

• Knowledge of current digital consumer and industry behaviors trends, attitudes, preferences, and needs required

• Knowledge and experience with fundamental site architecture as it impacts and influences search engine and digital marketing.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience working on cross-functional teams

• Strong project management skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in organizing and planning projects

• Proven track record of results orientation

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess data and draw key consumer, brand, and competitive insights

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced team environment

• Experience leading teams on critical projects and business impacting deliverables

• Ability to collaborate with a variety of different business partners, both internal and external

• Knowledge of Paid Media and Advertising

• Ability to travel up to 5%

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Paid Search, Search Ads 360, Google Data Studio, Snapchat, YouTube, Adobe Analytics, Bing Ads., Yelp, Waze, Open Table, Google My Business.

• Knowledge of current consumer and industry behaviors, trends, attitudes, preferences, and needs preferred

• Experience in and/or heavy interest in restaurant industry