Senior Director, Paid Search

Description

The paid search team sits inside the agency's search center of excellence, which gives its members access to training, shared best practices, tools and collaboration.

The Senior Director, Paid Search leads the search team, sets its strategy and oversees the search program so it meets or beats client goals. The role also represents the team inside and outside the company and builds thought leadership.

The ideal candidate pays close attention to detail, takes full ownership of training team members and getting work done, and keeps processes tight by spotting gaps in day-to-day account management. You will make sure team members understand each client's business and the market forces affecting it, recommend ways to expand or adjust the search program, and work with other paid search leads to improve culture and performance. You will also bring clients opportunities such as beta tests and industry insights.

Responsibilities

• Write long-term execution plans tied to client business objectives, then carry them out and track KPIs to measure results.
• Pull useful insights from campaign data, connect them to client goals and turn them into actions.
• Lead and manage search professionals by assigning work, monitoring progress and keeping campaign execution consistent. Train and mentor junior team members on a regular basis.
• Present strategy and tactical plans clearly to clients, staff and internal teams, and build lasting client relationships with open communication.
• Oversee forecasting, budgeting and pacing for search campaigns. Allocate resources efficiently and improve performance within budget limits.
• Understand the client's business and objectives well enough to spot chances to grow and expand campaigns.
• Guide the team's strategic vision for all paid search asset creation, using a test, learn and scale approach.
• Work with senior investment and strategy leaders across teams.
• Set best practices for platform execution and produce point-of-view papers.
• Make sure test plans are carried out, and work closely with the Associate Director on designing tests.
• Find ways to simplify workflows and make the team more efficient.
• Act as the first point of contact for day-to-day issues and challenges.
• Present new ideas and approaches to the client team, including upsell opportunities with third-party technology vendors or internal PHD tools such as Omni or SEO/SEM integration.
• Work with the company Media Group Center of Excellence to set the best route forward for paid search teams to execute their buys.
• Share effective approaches and new tests with the wider internal team. Submit client work for industry awards to recognise teams.
• Lead internal teams on vendor direction from Google and Bing to improve Optiscore and account quality score, adopt new features and betas, and keep refining the approach for better results.
• Handle complex paid search structures spanning multiple accounts and thousands of keywords, quickly sorting out what to prioritise.

Requirements

• Relevant post-secondary education, training or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of relevant paid search experience and 6+ years managing junior team members.
• Deep knowledge of paid search campaign management and optimisation best practices.
• Solid understanding of social, search within social platforms, generative AI, programmatic and other online advertising channels.
• Hands-on experience in Google Ads and MSFT Ads.
• Hands-on experience with bid management tools such as SA360, SKAI or Marin.
• Hands-on experience with Adobe Analytics or Google Analytics.
• Experience troubleshooting site tags.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to drive decisions.
• A proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven agency.
• Experience with multiple AI buying agents, such as Google and Bing Performance Max.
• Advanced use of scripts.
• A team player committed to training, cross-functional work and clear communication.
• Strong program management and organisation skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects, deadlines and priorities with ease.
• Excellent written and verbal storytelling.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams, and developing and mentoring talent.
• A test, learn and scale mindset.
• Preferred certifications: Google Ads Search, Microsoft Ads, Google Search Ads 360, AI Powered Shopping Ads, Google Analytics, and AI Powered Performance Ads.

Conditions

Pay range is $120,000 - $230,000.

Work in the office at least 3 days a week, unless the agency or your manager directs more office days, where local law permits.

For US job seekers: additional information is provided in the original posting.