Associate Director, Paid Search (SEM)

Company description

With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellogg Company, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa and more.

Overview

The Associate Director, Paid Search is responsible for leading performance marketing initiatives towards client and company objectives. The Associate Director will manage and direct Performance Media teams, including Managers, Senior Analysts and Analysts. Proven account management and team leadership experience is essential, along with experience in online marketing and digital media.

The ideal candidate must have strong team management, and extensive SEM experience. Our paid search team works across a diverse range of sectors on some of the largest and most dynamic clients within the agency. We are looking for an enthusiastic leader and paid search expert who is keen to submerge themselves into a number of projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and monitor client service delivery executions of the assigned accounts

• Oversee process development and ensure best practices are in place

• Assures quality control of all media planning and implementation

• Prepare and present annual financial and staffing plans

• Implement planning process for the assigned accounts and holistic media planning across paid search platforms and initiatives

• Coordinate efforts across different digital media channels to drive optimized recommendations

• Continuously evaluate and improve upon all digital media opportunities

• Attend to client meetings as needed, interface as needed with executive level and middle management level on client side during meetings and presentations

• Embrace and encourage a culture based on team work, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity

• Motivate, lead, and manage internal teams, working collaboratively to drive programs that meet our clients' performance and business objectives

• Drive adoption of stated account management best practices through example setting, positive reinforcement and behavioral correction

• Conduct performance reviews and career path plans

• Provide training to direct reports as needed

• Facilitate the development and documentation of best practices for improving operational efficiencies within the team and the group

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred, preferably in marketing, advertising, business, engineering, statistics, economics, sociology, or equivalent

• 5+ years of of related experience within paid media

• 2-4+ years of digital marketing preferred with desirable focus on search engines, display and/or social media

• 2+ years of successful team management experience

• Demonstrated understanding of online marketing principles

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret campaign performance data and provide insights and optimization recommendations

• Understanding of best practices for leveraging paid social media for brand communication

• Must possess strong leadership skills and be comfortable presenting ideas to senior level stakeholders

• Resourceful, curious, and motivated individual with an ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team setting

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate to advanced understanding of Excel

Additional information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more

• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility

• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption

• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance

• Tuition Assistance

• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more

• Matching Gifts programs

• Flexible working arrangements

• 'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)

• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Compensation Range: $97,375.00 - $139,965.00, annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 03/16/2026.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email protected]. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.