Associate Director, SEM

Monks•Denver, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Paid Search reports to the Paid Search Director of Account Services. The role leads a team of Senior Managers, Account Managers, and Analysts, overseeing their daily work and professional development. It also directly manages paid search efforts for 1–3 large client relationships, including strategy development, execution oversight, and direct client communication. The position focuses on improving client KPIs and delivering paid search strategies aligned with client goals across Google, Microsoft Ads, and other search partners. The ideal candidate is a people-focused leader with paid search expertise, knowledge of other digital acquisition channels, and an interest in a fast-growing digital agency focused on client performance and ROI. The role includes responsibility for team development, account performance, client communications, and revenue growth from renewals. It is subject to Monks’ Return to Office policy: employees who live within commuting distance of an office will be expected to work from the office a set number of days per week, as determined by the company’s policy.

Requirements

5+ years of agency Google advertising experience.
Direct experience managing paid search budgets of $100,000 or more in monthly ad spend.
Experience directly managing both B2B and B2C Google advertising efforts.
Strong ability and interest in analyzing data and working with Excel spreadsheets.
Strong, persuasive communication skills when discussing paid search performance with clients and team members.
Demonstrated leadership orientation and interest in helping others succeed.

Nice To Haves

Well-versed in digital acquisition channels beyond paid search.
Attributes commonly associated with the candidate include being driven and innovative.
Ability to work hands-on with campaign details while also setting broader team and paid search direction.

Responsibilities

Manage and coach a growing team of Paid Search Senior Managers, Account Managers, and Analysts.
Lead paid search for B2B or B2C lead-generation and direct-to-consumer ecommerce clients.
Optimize campaigns to achieve core KPIs.
Train team members in advanced Google, Bing, and other search-partner advertising skills, including strategy, forecasting, reporting, analytics, and data visualization.
Support team members’ professional development through ongoing feedback, goal reviews, and quarterly one-on-ones; provide support and recognition.
Support department-wide and agency-wide thought leadership and training initiatives.
Generate and oversee revenue growth from client renewals.
Participate in onboarding, renewal calls, and other important communications with top Google advertising accounts.
Develop a detailed understanding of clients’ products, industries, marketing goals, and objectives.
Work with the team to create and oversee paid search strategies across Google and Microsoft Ads.
Conduct weekly account reviews with account managers and provide optimization assistance and account troubleshooting.
Analyze performance data and KPIs.
Directly manage paid search efforts for 1–3 large client relationships, including strategy development, execution oversight, and client communication.