Senior Specialist, Paid Search

Our mission is to create the Experience of a Lifetime for our employees, so they can, in turn, create the Experience of a Lifetime for our guests. We own and operate the most renowned destination resorts in the world as well as regional and local ski areas outside major cities, and connect them all through one unrivaled network. We are looking for ambitious leaders, innovators and creators to join our talented team. If you’re ready to pursue your fullest potential, we want to get to know you!

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

Job Summary:

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven Sr. Specialist, Paid Search to support the execution, optimization, and performance analysis of digital paid media campaigns. This role is a key contributor to the paid media team and is ideal for someone with hands-on experience managing Google Ads campaigns including paid search (PPC, SEM), YouTube and Demand Gen.

Reporting to the Paid Search Manager, this position will collaborate closely with paid media strategists, ad operations, and analytics teams. A significant portion of the role involves in-platform media activation, performance monitoring, and optimization. Experience using smart bidding strategies to optimize e-commerce campaigns is essential.

The ideal candidate is curious, detail-oriented, and passionate about paid media. This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple lines of business within the Vail Resorts Enterprise, providing broad exposure and impact.

Job Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end management of Google Ads search campaigns, including setup, ad copy swaps, daily optimization, and performance reporting. Extend support across complementary channels such as Demand Gen and YouTube when relevant to the strategy.
• Collaborate with the paid media team to develop paid search recommendations in response to line of business RFPs, including budget forecasts, audience segmentation, brand/non-brand keyword strategy and bidding strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams who develop creative assets and ad copy.
• Conduct keyword research to identify new opportunities.
• Responsible for maintaining campaign budget pacing. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure campaign efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyze campaign performance, generate insights, and deliver actionable recommendations to internal stakeholders. Apply a data-first approach to improve campaign performance against business benchmarks and conversion goals.
• Develop, recommend and execute A/B tests and experiments to optimize ad copy, improve relevance, and boost conversion rates. Provide post-test analysis.
• Stay current with media trends, platform updates, and measurement solutions (e.g., incrementality, brand lift studies, AI impact on Search).
• Create best practice documentation to be shared with internal stakeholders.

Job Requirements:

• 1–3 years of hands-on experience managing paid search (PPC, SEM) campaigns in Google Ads.
• 1–3 years of experience with Demand Gen, YouTube, and/or Performance Max campaigns in Google Ads.
• Strong understanding of SEM fundamentals, including keyword research, ad copywriting, smart bidding strategies, and campaign optimization.
• Experience creating and activating Google Ads audiences, including use of first and third-party data. Able to create audiences using Google Ads Pixel data. Able to support media budget planning and scale performance based on audience size and reach.
• Proficiency in Google Ads, Google Ads Editor, Google Analytics, and Adobe Analytics. Experience with Bing Ads is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of using performance metrics to guide strategy and optimization.
• Demonstrated success adopting a test & learn approach to continually test new tactics and ideas.
• Collaborative team player with clear and confident communication.
• Have a growth-oriented and solutions-driven approach.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, JIRA, Tableau

The expected Total Compensation for this role is $61,286 - $80,000. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.
 

Job Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)
• Free ski passes for dependents
• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Vail Resorts offers a ‘Hybrid’ work environment where employees living within 50 miles of the Broomfield office work on-site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and have flexibility to work off-site on Mondays and Fridays.  Employees living outside of a commutable distance can work remotely from British Columbia, Washington D.C., and the 16 U.S. states* in which we currently operate. This includes: California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Please note that the ability to work in person or off-site, and the particulars related to such work, are subject to change at any time; and, accordingly, the Company reserves the right to change its policies and/or require in-person/in-office work or off-site work at any time in its sole discretion. 

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. 

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  512306
Reference Date: 10/28/2025 
Job Code Function: Media