Associate Director, Paid Search

Summary

Join DEPT® as an Associate Director and lead paid search teams, managing complex SEM accounts, and driving profitability. You will be responsible for developing strategic paid search plans, mentoring team members, and ensuring alignment with client goals. This role requires a deep understanding of paid search channels, proficiency in various tools, and a proven track record of managing successful campaigns. You will collaborate with client partners and internal teams, creating compelling presentations and fostering a high-performing team environment. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative and supportive culture.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of paid search channels, a strong understanding of bid management platforms such as SA360, as well as a core understanding of DEPT services (Social, Programmatic, Decision Sciences, Creative, SEO/CRO), where they fit within the client funnel, and when to leverage/push tactical creation to meet client goals
• Proven track record of successfully managing accounts with varying goals, spend levels, and attribution models and incorporating the right agency tools, growth teams, and expertise to build stronger performance and growth
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in paid search advertising
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in client facing roles
• Proven track record of managing successful paid search campaigns for enterprise-level accounts
• Proficiency in paid search tools and technologies, including Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and analytics platforms
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights
• Experience leading and managing a team, with a focus on mentorship and professional development
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and internal teams
• Ability to foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment
• Ability to develop and implement strategic paid search plans that align with client objectives and drive business growth
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions and client needs

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day search lead for Dept’s enterprise paid media accounts
• Owns the paid search portion of their clients’ account roadmap, ensuring alignment with client goals & priorities
• Accountable for delivering on paid search budget & performance goals - recommending strategic pivots when necessary
• Ensure appropriate processes & best practices are in place for paid search management & spearhead implementation when they are not present
• Successfully collaborates with associated Client Partners & activation teams on accounts to advance holistic strategies
• Create Paid Search slides required for key client-facing decks, such as FBRs and tactical plans, ensuring that all content ladders up to overall strategic vision for the account
• Serve as an internal paid search team point of escalation - solving any account performance issues, prioritization needs, and team coordination to get deliverables and initiatives done on time
• Manage achievement of paid search KPIs and deadlines
• Conduct paid search forecasting for annual and monthly budgets and grow account profitability
• Regularly follows SMEs and attends training opportunities to stay current on agency POVs, thought leadership, and industry trends and continuously expand knowledge of digital marketing best practices
• Ensure new team members are appropriately onboarded to each account, not just with day-to-day knowledge & skills development, but by providing a full deep dive into each client’s business and priorities
• Take an active role in developing direct reports and others in the team who are people managers; ensure managers effectively convey expectations for growth and/or promotions to those reporting in; drive continuous growth opportunities within the team by ensuring employees complete required training and have exposure to new opportunities, etc
• Ensure paid search account teams within their portfolio are consistently delegating down to junior team members to make the most of our talent & expertise
• Leverage the PI & Inclusive Meeting Guide to help build more cohesive teams and troubleshoot any interpersonal conflicts
• Ensuring all team members within their track have career development plans and their managers are creating the right goals, tools, and training to help support career growth
• Maintain a consistent feedback loop with the Client Partners and their Activation team in terms of activation team performance and ability to meet account needs
• Ensure the completion of all administrative duties for their paid search team occurs - time tracking, client spend submission, skip level 1:1s, etc
• Supports new business search audits & pitches

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave