Associate Director, Paid Search

Allen & Gerritsen • Boston, MA

2d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Paid Search Media drives the strategic vision, performance excellence, and growth of A&G’s paid search practice across client accounts. This role leads the strategy, governance, optimization, and scaling of paid search programs across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging search channels. The position serves as the agency’s primary paid search strategic authority, working with senior leaders across media, analytics, and strategy to deliver measurable business outcomes. It also leads and mentors a team and partners with operations and media specialists to ensure effective campaign setup, execution, and evolution.

The role combines strategic leadership with innovation: exploring changes in search and AI, maintaining campaign governance and performance, and advancing the agency’s capabilities, team development, and client impact. It includes developing cross-channel strategies, overseeing testing and measurement, advising clients and internal teams, and contributing to pitches, media plans, and senior presentations.

A&G describes itself as a fiercely independent agency in Boston and Philadelphia, focused on creativity, innovation, and culture. It serves clients across industries including travel, tourism, healthcare, financial services, restaurants, retail, food and beverage, higher education, economic development, and clean energy and sustainability. A&G is an equal opportunity employer and does not offer immigration sponsorship for this position at this time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Media, Analytics, or equivalent experience.
• 6–8+ years of full-time paid search marketing experience managing and strategizing large-scale campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.
• Proven ability to independently plan, architect, execute, and optimize multi-million-dollar paid search programs.
• Experience in team mentorship, talent development, or direct line management.
• Deep understanding of how search marketing integrates into and enhances broader multichannel media strategies.
• Advanced analytical skills, including expertise in interpreting complex performance data and attribution models and making strategic optimization decisions.
• Strong written, verbal, and executive client-presentation skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Positive, collaborative attitude with a proactive leadership and problem-solving mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee holistic paid search strategies across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging search environments.
• Guide keyword research, competitor analysis, and search opportunity assessments.
• Build, optimize, and manage complex keyword, audience, and ad portfolios to support client business objectives.
• Establish standards for search ad copy aligned with user intent, brand identity, and integrated channel strategies.
• Architect and oversee testing strategies for bidding, creative, and landing pages to improve campaign efficiency and return on investment.
• Monitor campaign performance, pacing, and portfolio health against primary business KPIs.
• Oversee campaign documentation, including authorizations, insertion orders, budget allocations, and flowcharts.
• Collaborate with analytics teams on measurement frameworks and custom reporting, and troubleshoot tagging or performance issues.
• Track search platform updates, beta features, industry changes, and privacy policy shifts.
• Identify and champion emerging search opportunities, including campaign types, ad formats, AI capabilities, and targeting innovations.
• Evaluate search tools, automation features, and AI-driven platforms to improve agency execution and client outcomes.
• Monitor marketplace and competitive activity to identify strategic opportunities for clients.
• Align paid search strategy with campaign messaging, brand creative, audience insights, and broader media plans.
• Lead paid search strategy development for client pitches, media plans, and senior client presentations.
• Identify ways search intent data can inform creative strategy and support broader marketing moments.
• Serve as the senior paid search point of contact and subject matter expert for internal teams and executive client conversations.
• Partner with SEO leads to develop aligned paid and organic search strategies.
• Mentor team members, provide career guidance, and share knowledge across the media team.
• Advance A&G’s paid search practice through thought leadership, innovation, and team development.

Benefits

• A culture that encourages continuous learning and professional growth.
• An opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients across multiple industries.
• A collaborative, creative, and innovative team environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior