Senior Performance Marketing Manager, SMB
WFA Digital Insight
As demand for digital marketing specialists continues to surge, with a 25% increase in job postings over the past year, professionals with expertise in paid media and performance marketing are in high demand. Nerdwallet, a leader in personal finance and small business resources, is seeking a seasoned Senior Performance Marketing Manager to drive their SMB verticals forward. With the US small business market expected to grow 10% by 2027, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their SEM expertise, analytical mindset, and ability to evolve acquisition strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.
Job Description
About the Role
Nerdwallet is the go-to financial resource for small businesses, providing entrepreneurs with the tools and expertise needed to achieve their financial goals. As a Senior Performance Marketing Manager, you will play a crucial role in driving the growth of our SMB verticals, including lending, credit cards, insurance, and banking. You will be responsible for developing and executing scalable growth strategies, managing day-to-day SEM operations, and partnering with cross-functional teams to drive business outcomes.The ideal candidate will be a driven, analytical marketer with a passion for experimentation and continuous optimization. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of tools and technologies, including Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, and Salesforce, and will be expected to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and platform changes.
You will report to the Director, Performance Marketing, and will work closely with other teams, including Product, Analytics, BI, Creative, and broader Marketing teams, to improve acquisition performance and align channel strategy with broader SMB business goals.
What You Will Do
- Own and optimize day-to-day SEM operations across SMB lending, credit cards, insurance, and banking verticals
- Design, execute, and analyze structured experiments across audiences, creative, bidding strategies, and landing page experiences
- Develop and maintain reporting frameworks and dashboards using Salesforce, Looker, Snowflake, and other analytics tools
- Manage and optimize campaigns across Google Ads, SA360, and Microsoft Ads, applying best practices in campaign architecture, automation, and performance optimization
- Build and scale emerging paid social acquisition programs across platforms such as Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok
- Independently drive initiatives from concept through launch and post-performance analysis
- Partner cross-functionally with other teams to improve acquisition performance and align channel strategy with broader SMB business goals
- Stay informed on industry trends, platform changes, privacy developments, and emerging growth opportunities
What We Are Looking For
- 3-6 years of hands-on SEM and performance marketing experience, ideally within financial services, fintech, or other regulated industries
- Deep familiarity with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and SA360, with experience managing large, complex account structures and optimizing toward measurable business outcomes
- Proficiency with analytics and business intelligence tools such as Salesforce, Snowflake, Looker, or similar platforms
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to build reports, interpret complex performance data, identify actionable insights, and influence strategy through data-driven recommendations
- Demonstrated success designing and executing structured experiments and translating findings into scalable improvements
- Experience with or strong interest in paid social acquisition channels, including Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, or similar growth platforms
Nice to Have
- Experience with emerging technologies, such as AI-powered marketing tools or blockchain-based advertising platforms
- Familiarity with agile project management methodologies and tools, such as Jira or Asana
- Strong programming skills, such as Python or R, with experience working with large datasets
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a range of cutting-edge tools and technologies
- Collaborative, dynamic work environment with a team of experienced professionals
- Flexible working hours and remote work options
- Professional development opportunities, including training and conference attendance
- Access to a range of employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement planning, and paid time off
How to Stand Out
- Be prepared to showcase your SEM expertise and experience working with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and SA360
- Highlight your ability to analyze complex performance data and develop scalable growth strategies
- Emphasize your experience working with cross-functional teams and driving business outcomes through data-driven decision making
- Showcase your passion for experimentation and continuous optimization, and be prepared to discuss your approach to structured experiments and A/B testing
- Be prepared to discuss your experience working with paid social acquisition channels and emerging technologies, such as AI-powered marketing tools or blockchain-based advertising platforms
- Research Nerdwallet's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with their mission and goals
- Prepare examples of your work, including campaign results and case studies, to demonstrate your expertise and impact
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.