At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.
No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.
But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.
The Director of Paid Search is the end-to-end owner of Cars.com's consumer SEM program (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging AI search surfaces), responsible for strategy, budget/KPI ownership, execution quality, and team leadership. It exists because SEM is an 8+ figure, business critical acquisition channel that needs a single accountable owner to drive volume and efficiency while navigating the shift to AI-driven search (AI Overviews, agentic search, Performance Max).ABOUT THIS ROLE
Own the consumer SEM program end-to-end. Set strategy, execution standards, and the performance roadmap for an 8+ figure annual SEM budget across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and emerging AI-driven search surfaces, with clear accountability for high-intent traffic, leads, revenue, and efficient payback.
Set goals and own the numbers. Define channel goals, forecasts, budgets, and KPI frameworks — CPL/CPA, ROAS, impression share — in partnership with Marketing leadership, Finance, and Analytics. Own budget allocation and pacing, and make fast, data-driven reallocation decisions to scale volume while improving efficiency.
Live in the account. Oversee campaign architecture, bidding strategy, keyword coverage, audiences, feeds, ad copy and creative testing, and landing page optimization daily; maintain pristine account hygiene and a relentless testing calendar.
Build and scale automation and AI. Drive feed-based automation, API integrations, Smart Bidding, signal-based strategies, scripting, and emerging AI-agent workflows to operate at scale — and act as the strategic owner for embedding AI/ML and generative AI into SEM workflows across bidding, query expansion, ad copy generation, and reporting.
Grow beyond the ad. Think product-first about the full funnel — partner with Product, Engineering, Design, and Lifecycle to improve landing pages, conversion rates, and onboarding, not just media efficiency.
Stay ahead of AI-driven search. Anticipate how AI is reshaping discovery — AI Overviews, agentic search, Performance Max, an evolving SERP — and ensure Cars.com maintains strong visibility across traditional and AI-driven search surfaces.
Own measurement. Define and maintain the SEM measurement framework — attribution, incrementality testing, media mix modeling (MMM), conversion tracking, and reporting automation — and translate performance into executive-ready narratives that connect search to acquisition, revenue, and payback.
Strive for zero flaw campaigns. Set quality-assurance standards for ad copy, destination URLs, tracking parameters, and budget controls that protect spend, data integrity, and the brand.
Manage partners. Own agency and platform relationships (Google, Microsoft) — strategic roadmaps, quarterly business reviews, troubleshooting, and performance improvement plans.
Build and lead the team. Develop a team of SEM specialists, setting clear ownership and consistent operating rhythms. ABOUT YOU
10+ years in performance / growth marketing with deep, hands-on paid search expertise and a proven track record managing 8-9 figure annual SEM budgets tied to acquisition, revenue, ROI, and payback goals.
Expert-level command of Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising — advanced campaign types, Smart Bidding, scripts, feeds, and enterprise bid management (Search Ads 360) — plus the full testing and optimization toolkit. You genuinely enjoy spending your day in the account.
Experience in marketplace, classifieds, e-commerce, or high-volume B2C lead-gen businesses where SEM is a core, large-scale acquisition channel.
A builder-operator who has built scale through automation and AI. Feed-based automation, API integrations, signal-based and Smart Bidding, scripting, and hands-on experience embedding AI/ML or generative AI into SEM workflows — bidding, ad copy, query expansion, and reporting.
Demonstrated results growing paid search volume while improving CPL/CPA and ROAS through rigorous testing and iteration.
Fluent in attribution, incrementality, MMM, etc; comfortable with large datasets and querying.
You care deeply about account hygiene, testing velocity, QA, and continuous optimization, and hold the account to a high standard every day.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.Preferred:
Experience at a two-sided marketplace or classifieds business (specifically travel, real estate, jobs, ticketing, etc.).
Hands-on experience building SEM automation via the Google Ads API or scripts, feed-based signals for automated bidding, or partnering with product and engineering on internal tooling.
Experience managing SEM through periods of platform change — AI Overviews, Performance Max, and agentic/AI search — and aligning paid search with SEO.
Familiarity with adjacent biddable media (paid social, shopping).
In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.Salary Range$154,200.00-192,750.00Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:
Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
Generous PTO
Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day
Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!
For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.
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