Retail Media Search Manager

ROLE: RETAIL MEDIA SEARCH MANAGER TEAM: MEDIA LOCATION: TORONTO (HYBRID ONSITE) COMPANY OVERVIEW At Salt Media , we're on a mission to earn the world's attention. As the media division of Salt XC, we're building a different kind of agency where media, commerce, creative, data and technology work as a single connected team. Our people combine strategic thinking with AI-powered tools, automation and advanced analytics to help some of North America's most recognized brands solve complex business challenges and drive measurable growth. We move quickly, challenge convention, and believe the best ideas come from curious people who are empowered to experiment. If you're looking to do career-defining work alongside smart, ambitious teammates in an environment that's shaping the future of media, we'd love to meet you. 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…