We partnered with a leading US marketing and advertising agency looking to hire a Senior Paid Media Manager.
The company was not looking for someone who could simply launch campaigns and monitor advertising accounts. It needed an experienced professional who could meet the expectations of a demanding agency environment and contribute at a senior level.
Finding the right combination of expertise, professional maturity and salary expectations was essential.
The recruitment strategy focused on expanding the talent search beyond the United States and exploring international markets, with Latin America offering an attractive combination of experienced marketing professionals, competitive compensation and convenient time-zone overlap.
The Recruitment Process: From First Candidates to Final Selection We approached the search with a focus on candidate quality rather than simply presenting a large number of CVs.
Week 1: final hired candidate presented to the founder Within the first week of recruitment, we identified and presented the candidate who was eventually hired by the agency. The final candidate came during the 1st week!!
Week 2: Candidate comparison and evaluation We continued sourcing and interviewing professionals to give the founder a clearer understanding of the available talent and different candidate profiles.
This was particularly important for a senior position where the final decision needed to reflect the agency's expectations, not just the availability of someone who met the basic job requirements.
Week 3: Final selection: A professional from Venezuela After reviewing and comparing several candidates, the company selected a professional based in Venezuela. The candidate successfully moved through the recruitment process and started working with the agency.
How much it cost?
The agreed compensation was $3,000 per month, with prospects for future growth.
According to SalaryGuide's US salary data, updated October 14, 2026, the median total compensation for a Senior Paid Media Manager working at a US agency is approximately $103,000 per year, based on 15 agency salary submissions.
Our placement's compensation was $3,000 per month, equivalent to $36,000 annually. US vs. Latin American recruitment cost comparison
Compensation benchmark
United States
Our placement
Monthly compensation equivalent
$8,583
$3,000
Annual compensation
$103,000
$36,000
Annual difference
—
$67,000
Approximate saving
—
65%
The comparison uses the US agency-specific Senior Paid Media Manager total-pay median and the agreed monthly compensation for our placement. It is an indicative compensation comparison, not a like-for-like calculation of fully loaded employer costs. Actual costs depend on benefits, payroll, taxes and employment arrangements.
What does this mean for the company? Based on these benchmarks, the difference is approximately:
$5,583 per month.
$67,000 per year.
Approximately 65% lower compensation compared with the US agency benchmark.
