Programming Strategist Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Blue Wheel

Blue Wheel is a digital performance marketing agency that helps brands connect the people, platforms, and insights that drive growth across modern commerce. With more than 100 team members and four offices across the U.S., we've built a culture where curiosity is encouraged, ownership is expected, collaboration is valued, and trust is earned through action. These principles guide how we work with clients and how we support one another as a team. If this sounds like a team you want to build with, we'd love to meet you.

About the Role

As a Paid Search Strategist, you will be responsible for developing strategy, implementing, tracking, and managing PPC campaigns across various digital channels for our clients on behalf of Blue Wheel. Using your expertise and up-to-date grasp of marketing strategies and best practices, you will manage campaigns from concept to execution to analysis. You will work collaboratively with internal Client Services account stakeholders to craft and execute powerful marketing strategies. You will also be an external voice for Blue Wheel, working directly with clients to articulate strategic and performance insights, provide recommendations, and deliver forward-thinking solutions

Responsibilities

Client Strategy & Growth Alignment

• Collaborate with Client Service teams to understand each client's brand, goals, and key performance metrics in the DTC space
• Develop and execute paid search strategies that align with client objectives, including customer acquisition, revenue growth, and return on ad spend (ROAS
• ).Proactively identify growth opportunities, such as new audience segments, emerging platforms, and advanced bidding strategies
• Align campaign strategies with broader omnichannel marketing initiatives, ensuring a seamless customer journey across paid search, social, email, and organic channels

Campaign Execution & Optimization

• Develop, launch, and manage paid search campaigns across platforms like Google Ads and Microsoft Ads
• Implement data-driven optimizations, adjusting keyword bids, audience targeting, creative assets, and budget allocations to maximize performance
• Utilize automation tools (e.g., Smart Bidding, Performance Max, SA360) and manual bid strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Perform ongoing A/B testing on ad creatives, landing pages, and targeting to drive incremental performance improvements
• Leverage first-party data (CDPs, CRM platforms) and third-party audience segments to refine targeting strategies for retention and acquisition

Data Analysis & Performance Reporting

• Prepare, compile, and present internal and external performance reports with actionable insights tailored to DTC client KPIs, such as CAC, LTV, and ROAS
• Monitor and interpret campaign data, identifying trends, performance gaps, and new opportunities for scaling campaigns
• Utilize analytics tools such as Google Analytics (GA4), Looker Studio, and attribution platforms to measure and communicate performance
• Provide insights on budget pacing, forecasting, and investment strategies to maximize efficiency and profitability for clients

Client Communication & Thought Leadership

• Attend all internal and external calls related to your client accounts, serving as the subject matter expert on paid search and programmatic strategies
• Lead discussions on campaign performance, optimizations, and strategic shifts to ensure alignment with client goals
• Educate clients and internal teams on evolving trends in search, programmatic, and digital advertising
• Develop case studies and insights from successful campaigns to inform future strategies and support new business pitches

Creative Development & Execution

• Write, test, and iterate ad copy tailored for DTC consumer behavior, optimizing for engagement, conversions, and brand voice consistency
• Coordinate with creative teams to develop and deploy compelling ad assets, including image, video, and interactive ad formats
• Ensure that ad creatives align with DTC brand messaging, landing page experiences, and consumer psychology
• Experiment with new creative approaches, such as DSAs, RSAs, and interactive ad units, to enhance engagement and performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with paid social, email, and lifecycle marketing teams to ensure cohesive messaging and customer journey alignment
• Partner with CRO teams to refine landing pages and improve conversion rates
• Collaborate with developers and analytics teams to implement tracking solutions, pixel integrations, and audience segmentation strategies
• Share insights and performance data with media buyers, strategists, and content teams to refine holistic DTC growth strategies

Budget Management & Forecasting

• Manage and optimize ad spend across multiple DTC brands, ensuring cost efficiency and performance scalability
• Continuously track pacing and profitability, making strategic recommendations to reallocate budget where needed
• Forecast monthly and quarterly media spend based on historical performance, seasonal trends, and client goals

Innovation & Testing

• Stay ahead of industry trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes to keep client strategies competitive
• Experiment with emerging ad formats (e.g., Performance Max, AI-driven bidding strategies, video discovery ads) to drive incremental gains
• Conduct rigorous A/B testing across audience targeting, bidding strategies, and creative messaging to refine best practices
• Document test results and performance insights to continuously enhance agency-wide media buying strategies

What to Expect (First 30 Days)

• Learn Blue Wheel's culture, systems, reporting tools, and paid search best practic
• es.Build strong working relationships with Client Services teams, fellow channel strategists, and account stakeholders
• Complete onboarding and familiarize yourself with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, GA4, Looker Studio, and internal reporting processes
• Conduct account audits and review campaign structures, historical performance, budgets, and client objectives
• Gain a deep understanding of your assigned clients' businesses, target audiences, and growth goals
• Attend internal and client meetings to learn communication expectations and account strategies
• Begin monitoring campaign pacing, performance trends, and budget allocations across assigned accounts
• Contribute to campaign optimizations, keyword strategy, bidding recommendations, and testing initiatives
• Support performance reporting by identifying insights, opportunities, and recommendations tied to client KPIs
• Start taking ownership of strategic discussions and serving as a paid search subject matter expert for assigned accounts

By the end of your first 30 days, you'll have a strong understanding of your clients, actively contribute to campaign strategy and execution, and begin taking ownership of performance-driven initiatives that support client growth

Preferred Qualifications

• Google Ads and Microsoft Ads certifications
• Proven experience managing paid search campaigns in an agency environment
• Hands-on experience with SA360, Performance Max, and other advanced search tools
• Strong proficiency with analytics tools, including Google Analytics (GA4) and Looker Stuio
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets across multiple accounts while driving measurable RIO.

Employee Benefits

Employees at Blue Wheel are offered the following benefits and perks while employed:

• Healthcare: Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, Life & Disability, FSA/HSA Options
• Retirement: Company-sponsored 401(k) option with Company match
• PTO: Generous Paid Time, Sick Time, Floating Holidays, Volunteer Day, and Bereavement
• Paternal Leave: Paid 12-week leave for primary parent and 2-week for secondary parent
• Holiday: 10 paid holidays, along with light week between Christmas and New Years
• Fringe: Mental Health Days, Health and Wellness Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Employer-paid Coaching Sessions

Blue Wheel operates and hires in the following states: CT, CO, FL, ID, IL, KS, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, TX, and WA