US/Canada-Based Paid Ads Manager Needed for Board Game Kickstarter Pre-Launch Campaign

We are preparing to launch an exciting new hand-drawn board game on Kickstarter and need a strong, self-starting paid ads manager to help drive pre-launch momentum. We are currently 45 days from launch and are aiming for approximately: 2,000 qualified email leads 1,500 Kickstarter followers Strong pre-launch engagement from board game, tabletop, fantasy, and Kickstarter backer audiences. Note: We have a robust prelaunch campaign in place for last few months with 2.2k people on the waitlist. This is not a generic e-commerce product. We need someone who understands how to build interest before a crowdfunding launch, test creatives quickly, and focus on actual conversion quality - not vanity clicks. The game features completely hand-drawn art, with artists who have worked on leading PlayStation titles. We already have a creative team in place, including artists, a Kickstarter campaign manager, copy support, and a video/ad creative person. What we need now is someone who can fully own the paid ads side. We already have landing page and tracking infrastructure in place, but we need someone who can review the setup, identify gaps, and manage the ad strategy properly. What You’ll Own You will be responsible for: - Building and managing paid ad campaigns for pre-launch lead generation - Setting up campaign structure, audiences, testing, retargeting, and optimization - Reviewing tracking, pixels, conversion events, landing pages, and funnel performance - Advising on ad creative angles and messaging - Working with existing video/image assets and identifying what additional creatives are needed - Tracking lead cost, follower conversion, landing page performance, and audience quality - Making weekly recommendations without needing constant hand-holding - Coordinating with our Kickstarter/campaign manager and creative team - Helping us understand what is working, what is not, and where to spend Platforms / Channels Primary experience should include some combination of: - Meta Ads / Facebook / Instagram - Kickstarter pre-launch campaigns - Board game, tabletop, gaming, fantasy, or collectible audiences - Retargeting campaigns - Lead generation funnels - Crowdfunding or product launch campaigns Experience with Kickstarter, tabletop games, card games, board games, miniatures, TCGs, or fantasy products is a major plus. Who This Is For This role is for an experienced independent ads manager who can come in, assess the current situation, and start moving. We need someone who: - Is based in the United States or Canada - Has real paid ads experience, not just theory - Can show examples of past campaign results - Understands lead generation and pre-launch funnels - Can work hourly or milestone-based - Does not require a large upfront retainer - Is comfortable starting with a paid trial or small initial milestone - Can make decisions and explain them clearly - Does not need us to do half the strategy for them Who This Is Not For Please do not apply if: - You are outside the United States or Canada - You only send generic AI-written proposals - You cannot provide examples of previous paid ad work - You require a large upfront payment before proving fit - You are an agency outsourcing the work to someone else - You need constant direction on basic campaign setup and optimization - You have no experience with launch campaigns, crowdfunding, or lead generation AI tools are fine for efficiency. They are not a replacement for real campaign judgment, testing, and strategy. Engagement Structure We prefer to start with either: Option 1: Paid Trial A small paid trial to audit our current setup and propose the first campaign structure. Option 2: Hourly Hourly work with clear weekly deliverables and reporting. Option 3: Milestone-Based Initial setup milestone, then weekly optimization milestones. We are not looking for a large upfront retainer. We want to see competence, ownership, and results early. To Apply Please start your proposal with: “Pre-launch ads require testing.” Then answer the following questions directly: - Are you based in the United States or Canada? - Have you managed ads for a Kickstarter, crowdfunding campaign, tabletop game, board game, card game, or similar product? Please give examples. - What ad platforms would you prioritize for a board game Kickstarter pre-launch and why? - In your first 7 days, what would you audit, set up, or change? - What metrics would you track to determine whether our lead generation is healthy? - What is your hourly rate? - Are you open to starting with a small paid trial or milestone before a larger engagement? - Please include one example of a campaign where you managed spend, tested creatives, and improved performance. Generic proposals will be declined. I am looking for someone practical, experienced, and direct. Most of our team members have been with us for multiple years - so looking for someone interested in a mutually lucrative long term partnership.