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Advice
Posted by on December 21, 2025 at 4:03 pmHey all ppc people!
I am a ppc manager in scandinavia, been working as a SEM specialist for 5 years now. And I’m in a bit of a pickle.
Working at a agency, and I am thriving. I like my boss, my salary, my co-workers etc. But I got offered a position at a different agency as a partner. This agency does NOT deliver the same quality work my current employer does. I doubt the co-workers is the ”A-team” of you know what I mean.
I am however quite a bit older than your average PPC manager and I’m thinking ”where do I do want to be in 5 years”. At my current job I cant really see a path where I am not just 5 years older grinding away as a SEM specialist.
And the idea of being a partner, building a department from scratch and reap some rewards for that might offer a different path.
But I do really like my current job. So I’m hoping for some advice from someone with some experience one way or the other.
It should be said, I have no plans grinding away in accounts as a 50 year old. Sooner or later I will have to pivot.
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1 Reply
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It’s mostly the tracking fix. Since you stopped double-counting, your ROAS ‘dropped’ because the old numbers were inflated and fake. Google’s algorithm also gets confused when the data changes right while you are scaling the budget. Don’t touch the budget or settings for at least 14 days. It needs time to learn how to bid using the new, correct data.
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Is there an opening at your current employer for a converstion about your trajectory and ambition? Perhaps there are more opportunities than you are aware of?
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If you are a partner on name only and have no real authority, then you won’t get to do the things you want to do. Make sure you are a true partner and can say yes/no to things to make it happen. Otherwise, you are spinning your wheels.
Plus I would talk with your current job and see what opportunities exist. Maybe they would create a position for you to help with your personal growth.
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I’d have an honest conversation with your current boss but plan on bolting for the new opportunity. But I’d base that on the possibility of being the source for change/improvement in your new gig.
Another option, which many people in your position take is to strike out on their own and freelance until they can start to build your own agency. This is exactly what I did.
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grinding accounts forever isn’t the endgame.
The partner offer only makes sense if you genuinely have the authority to raise standards, shape the team, and not just inherit mediocrity with a title. If your current agency can’t offer a clear path into leadership, equity, or strategic ownership in the next 1–2 years, that’s the bigger long-term risk.
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I had the same conversation with myself at around 5 years in, knowing full well I didn’t want to be like some of the 50 year olds treading water for seemingly eternity. My choice to broaden my marketing scope, and take on a more general marketing leadership trajectory. Wound up moving in house, managing broader marketing teams, handling some of the work on my own (learning as I went) and eventually also owning agency relationships and vendor procurement. I’d recommend this path as well if you want to gain responsibility as a leader.
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