Associate Director, SEM

WPP Media•Los Angeles, NY

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Paid Search is accountable for day-to-day Paid Search operations and serves as the main point of contact for an account. The role provides strategic direction and leadership within the digital group to deliver effective and advanced communication plans. The Associate Director manages the career paths of supporting Paid Search staff, oversees teams on multiple accounts, and maintains strong client relationships. The position leads search-team workflow and oversight of recommendations, execution details, budgets, accounting, and performance. It also involves understanding clients’ products, marketing objectives, and digital goals; presenting regularly to senior clients; developing team members; improving operational efficiencies; and keeping senior management informed about client opportunities, risks, and business considerations. WPP Media describes a hybrid work approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. The posted US base salary range is $75,000–$180,000 USD. Compensation varies based on job-related factors, and benefits may vary by office or country.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, or Advertising, or equivalent professional work experience.
5+ years of experience with analytical tools such as Google Analytics, Webtrends, or Omniture, and search engine desktop tools such as Google AdWords Editor or Bing Ads Editor.
Significant client-facing and relationship-management experience.
Prior experience managing a team, with a proven track record of training and developing junior team members.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional organizational skills, multitasking capabilities, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Lead and own day-to-day search team workflow and oversee search recommendations, execution details, budgets, accounting, and performance.
Develop positive relationships with the search community, vendors, and Directors to support service levels and results.
Understand clients’ products, marketing objectives, and digital goals, with an emphasis on paid search, and provide insightful, consistent recommendations.
Interface with and present to senior clients regularly.
Train, motivate, and develop Search Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates, with minimal supervision.
Develop team members’ ability to think strategically about paid search’s role in the media mix.
Develop and document standard methodologies to improve operational efficiencies within the team and group.
Keep senior management informed about key client opportunities, potential risks, and other factors affecting business health.
Participate appropriately in team, agency, and industry initiatives.