Paid Media Manager, Digital Marketing

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We're on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We're changing. Because students need a better way.

We're looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students-and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It's where you're empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you-from physical and mental to financial and professional. You'll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We're obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking "why not?" when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

Digital Advertising | Search, Social, Display & Landing Page CRO

About the Role

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for students at one of the most pivotal moments of their lives. Our mission is to power confidence as students plan for higher education, successfully complete it, and prepare for what comes next. We're transforming how students experience financial guidance-and we're looking for leaders who want to help drive that change.

We're seeking a Paid Media Manager, Portfolio Growth Marketing to lead and scale our Digital Advertising efforts across Paid Social, Programmatic Display, Paid Search, and full‑funnel performance marketing. This is a hands‑on, highly visible role for a performance‑driven marketer who thrives on experimentation, optimization, and measurable impact.

You'll own strategy and execution across paid media channels while partnering closely with analytics, creative, UX, and agency teams to continuously improve acquisition performance and conversion outcomes.

What You'll Do

Own & Scale Performance Marketing

• Lead Paid Media strategy and execution across Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Paid Social, and Programmatic Display DSP channels.

• Execute and optimize Meta Ads (Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads), LinkedIn Ads, TikTok Ads, and YouTube Ads to drive full‑funnel impact-from awareness through conversion.

• Assist with managing and optimizing Google Ads, Bing Ads (Microsoft Advertising), and broader PPC programs with a focus on efficiency, scale, and sustainable growth.

Drive Growth Through Optimization & Experimentation

• Partner with CRO, UX, and analytics teams to lead Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Landing Page Optimization, and Website Optimization initiatives.

• Design and execute A/B Testing and experimentation roadmaps across ads, landing pages, and funnel experiences.

• Optimize Conversion Strategy, Funnel Optimization, and Full‑Funnel Marketing performance using data‑driven insights.

Lead with Data & Accountability

• Own performance reporting and optimization against KPIs such as ROAS, CPA, CPM, conversion rate, and downstream business impact.

• Drive Media Planning, Forecasting, and Budget Management across channels to maximize ROI and support growth goals.

• Translate insights into clear recommendations and actionable next steps for cross‑functional partners and leadership.

Collaborate & Lead

• Provide Team Leadership through strong cross‑functional collaboration with creative, analytics, UX, product, and marketing partners as well as training and mentoring junior team members.

• Champion a test‑and‑learn culture that balances innovation with disciplined performance management.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in digital advertising or performance marketing, ideally in an agency, financial services, or high‑growth environment.

• 3+ years of hands‑on paid social advertising experience, including campaign setup, bid optimization, audience strategy, and measurement across Meta (Facebook, Instagram), LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

• Proven experience managing Paid Search and Display Advertising, including PPC, CPA‑driven campaigns, and Programmatic Display DSPs.

• Strong background in Growth Marketing, Full‑Funnel Marketing, and Conversion Optimization.

• Deep analytical skills with experience using tools such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives involving budget management, forecasting, and performance optimization.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across teams and partners.

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Why Sallie Mae

At Sallie Mae, impact matters. We put relationships first, challenge the status quo, and continuously invest in learning and growth. We support the whole you-with benefits designed for your physical, mental, financial, and professional well‑being, including:

• Competitive compensation and bonus incentives

• Generous PTO, floating holidays, and federal holidays

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and wellness benefits

• 401(k) with employer match and financial well‑being support

• Flexible hybrid work arrangements

• Paid parental leave, adoption reimbursement, and tuition assistance

• Career development and ongoing learning opportunities

Come do more than join something-change something. For students. For future generations. For the future of education.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the "essential functions" of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.

Feeling your best helps you do your best:

Our benefits take care of the whole you-so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• Competitive base salaries

• Bonus incentives

• Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed

• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer match

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more

• Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.

• Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs

• Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)

• Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives

• Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs

• Career development and training opportunities

Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!

Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call (855) 756-2007 and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.