---
title: 'Senior Manager, Paid Media at WorldStrides'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-paid-media-worldstrides-united-states-bn6627h900kf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Senior Manager, Paid Media at WorldStrides

- **Company:** WorldStrides
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $85k–$95k
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des/jobs/5406206008

## Job description

Company Introduction

WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Description:

WorldStrides is reorienting its Marketing organization around lead generation and pipeline growth — and Paid Media is the engine that will get us there at scale. As Senior Manager of Paid Media, you will own the full paid media strategy across all three segments (K-12, International, Performing Arts) and all channels (Search, Social, Display, Programmatic, YouTube). You have a test-and-learn mindset, a deep command of performance data, and the creativity to build campaigns that move educators and students. You will own significant media budget and be accountable for MQL targets.

Responsibilities:

Paid Media Strategy & Execution

- Develop and own the annual paid media strategy across K-12 Domestic, International, and Performing Arts — aligning channel mix, budget allocation, and audience targeting to MQL and pipeline goals
- Manage and optimize campaigns across Google Ads (Search, Display, YouTube), Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and programmatic platforms
- Build a systematic test-and-learn framework — testing audiences, creative formats, bidding strategies, and landing pages to improve performance quarter-over-quarter
- Expand into new channels including direct mail amplification and streaming audio where ROI warrants

Budget & Performance Management

- Own the paid media budget — reporting weekly on spend efficiency, CPC, CPL, and MQL contribution by channel and segment
- Build attribution models with Marketing Ops ensuring paid media receives accurate funnel credit
- Manage agency relationships and platform partnerships, holding them accountable to performance SLAs

Creative & Landing Page Collaboration

- Brief Creative on paid ad requirements by channel and test hypothesis — creative is your partner, not your vendor
- Partner with the Sr Manager, Website Content to ensure landing page experience matches paid messaging and converts efficiently

## WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

- Paid media channels delivering agreed % of total MQL volume each quarter
- Cost-per-MQL improving year-over-year through systematic optimization
- Test-and-learn cadence delivering at least 2 validated performance improvements per quarter
- Full attribution model in place with Marketing Ops by Q2

Qualifications:

- 5–7 years of hands-on paid media experience including direct budget ownership
- Expert-level proficiency in Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and programmatic buying platforms
- Demonstrated experience owning MQL or pipeline targets in a B2C or B2B2C environment
- Strong analytics skills — you live in dashboards, GA4, and performance data
- Experience managing external media agencies and holding them accountable
- Experience in K-12 education, travel, or seasonal consumer categories with long consideration cycles (preferred)
- Familiarity with Salesforce or HubSpot attribution and CRM integration (preferred)
- Experience using AI tools for creative testing and media optimization (preferred)

Work Perks

- Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match.
- Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement
- Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually
- Opportunities for paid and discounted travel
- Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities
- Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations
- Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave
- Team Member Discount Program
- Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment

The salary range listed for this position represents WorldStrides’ good-faith estimate of the base compensation for the role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills and qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. The range does not include other forms of compensation or benefits that may be offered as part of the total rewards package.

## Compensation Range

$85,000—$95,000 USD

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.

## About WorldStrides

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: WorldStrides is the largest educational travel company in the United States, providing immersive travel experiences for K-12 and university students to learn beyond the classroom.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by Eurazeo; earlier investors include Metalmark Capital)
- **Headquarters**: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- **Founded**: 1964
- **Founders**: Phil Wendel (social studies teacher)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Educational travel, experiential learning, student tourism, study abroad.
- **Target customers**: B2B (schools, educators, administrators) and B2C (students and parents). Primarily serves K-12 and higher education institutions.
- **Mission statement**: “Igniting a passion for lifelong learning, enabling learners to see beyond the classroom and to discover the world — and themselves — in new ways” [worldstrides.com/en-us/about](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/about).

## Products & Services
- **K-12 Teacher-Led Programs**: Customizable educational tours for classes, led by teachers, designed to bring curriculum to life.
- **K-12 Individual Student Programs**: Immersive career exploration, study abroad, and travel opportunities for students without a school group.
- **Higher Education Programs**: Faculty-led study abroad, service learning, internships, and research trips with transferable academic credit.
- **Heritage Festivals**: Performance-based travel experiences for music, dance, and theater groups.
- **Oxbridge Academic Programs**: Summer study programs at Oxford, Cambridge, and other prestigious institutions.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $125.1M (2025 estimate) – [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides).
- **Total Funding**: $20.0M across 2 rounds (historically raised from Metalmark Capital and others).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Eurazeo (parent company), Metalmark Capital, partner universities worldwide.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 1,364 employees (+19.7% YoY, +358 people) – [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides).
  - Operations in 38 countries with on-the-ground support.
  - Over 10 million students served since 1964; 800,000+ students travel each year.
  - 48,589 LinkedIn followers (+61.4% YoY).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale & Experience**: 55+ years in educational travel, largest U.S. player with a vast global network.
- **Safety Infrastructure**: Extensive health & safety systems built over decades, critical for student travel.
- **Academic Rigor**: Programs tied to curriculum and transferable credit, trusted by educators.
- **Vertical Integration**: Owns the entire student journey from marketing to on-tour support.
- **Brand Trust**: Deep relationships with schools and administrators built over 55 years.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expanding Programs**: Continues to add individual student programs (career exploration, study abroad) and seasonal offerings (Oxbridge, Heritage Festivals).
- **Sustainability & Responsibility**: Committed to social, environmental, and ethical responsibility.
- **People First**: Investing in team member growth with tuition reimbursement, ERGs, and inclusive culture (from careers page).
- **Technology & Innovation**: Hiring in IT (Service Desk Analyst, Emergency Travel Coordinator) to modernize operations.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Purpose-driven, inclusive, and values-centered (“One Team, Elevated Standards,” “People and Communities First”). Employee resource groups (ERGs) foster community.
- **Work Environment**: Offices in Charlottesville, VA (HQ); Vienna, VA; Chicago, IL; Orlando, FL; Mérida, Mexico, and more. Hybrid/remote flexibility possible (not explicitly stated, but multiple office locations).
- **Perks & Benefits** (from [worldstrides.com/en-us/careers](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/careers)):
  - Generous PTO from day one.
  - Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, vision insurance with HSA.
  - 401k with employer match.
  - 8 weeks paid parental leave for all new parents (including adoptive).
  - 4 paid mental health days per year.
  - Tuition reimbursement and certificate assistance.
  - Team member & family travel discounts on WorldStrides programs.
  - Discounts on car rentals, hotels, cruises via IATA membership.
  - Seasonal opportunities and internships for university students.
- **Growth & Learning**: Robust online learning library, specialized training, tuition reimbursement; “lifelong learners” ethos.

## Sources
1. [worldstrides.com/en-us/about](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/about) – Company story, mission, values, leadership.
2. [worldstrides.com/en-us/careers](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/careers) – Benefits, culture, hiring priorities.
3. [worldstrides.com/en-us](https://worldstrides.com/en-us) – Homepage overview and program highlights.
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des) – Current job openings and roles.
5. [linkedin.com/company/worldstrides](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides) – Company size, revenue, funding, employee growth.

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- [Global Partnership Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/global-partnership-specialist-worldstrides-united-states-pwsawt4d82x6) — United States
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