Associate Director, Search Marketing

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Serving as escalation point of contact for day-to-day clients.
• Shaping and articulating the department and agency's view on customer segmentation, media strategy tactics and execution.
• Managing the strategic components of an integrated SEM campaign, with other digital and offline media.
• Overseeing development of program strategies and analyses for clients (e.g., target audience recommendations, timing/scheduling strategy, etc.).
• Accountable for testing schedule, learning agenda, performance forecasts.
• Drawing insights from program results, keeping clients and internal teams informed on strategic implications.
• Identifying and addressing client issues, as well as new opportunities within existing client business.
• Owning and clearly responding to client questions and issues related to media, serving as day-to-day contact.
• Managing assigned accounts within the media department with minimal oversight, including media planning, negotiations, implementation, performance tracking, and analysis.
• Working closely with account, creative and measurement teams to ensure media plans and creative/measurement work are strategically aligned, client needs are met and quality levels are maintained.
• Managing and motivating junior staff, providing ongoing feedback, performance evaluation, career direction and training.
• Prioritizing teamwork, delegating responsibilities, and implementing a task management system.
• Providing creative solutions to client challenges and troubleshooting issues with limited direction.
• Fostering relationships with internal teams (Media, S&A and other capabilities) and external teams while managing multiple client stakeholders.
• Understanding big picture implications and how insights can be applied across programs and channels.
• Active knowledge sharing with capability and broader agency.

Requirements

• A four-year degree and 7 to 9 years of digital media experience, including 6+ years of SEM experience.
• Deep familiarity with the digital environment and a clear understanding of media planning and buying process (multi-channel knowledge and DoubleClick Search expertise required).
• Strong understanding of media research tools and their effective use.
• Keen attention to detail and an analytical approach to achieving objectives.
• Solid quantitative and research skills; proven data interpretation capability and ability to translate data insights into a story.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Experience working with Tag Management Solutions, DMP, MTA and Site Analytics tools.
• Strong ability to understand client objectives and translate them into search and media strategies.
• Excellent client presence and ability to lead discussions with internal and external leadership.
• Stellar communication and presentation skills—poised, articulate and convincing.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Familiarity with prompt-based interaction and commonly used generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL·E, Midjourney) is a plus.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with prompt-based interaction and commonly used generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL·E, Midjourney) especially for tasks like ideation, research, or content generation.

Qualifications

• A four-year degree and 7 to 9 years of digital media experience.
• 6+ years of SEM experience.
• Deep familiarity with digital environment and media planning/buying process.
• Experience with media research tools, Tag Management Solutions, DMP, MTA, and Site Analytics tools.
• Strong client management and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Familiarity with AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL·E, Midjourney is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• Robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent.
• Medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.
• Application accommodation support via USMSTACompliance@publicis.com.
• Compensation range: $95,950 - $150,995 annually.
• Eligible for participation in freelancer/temporary employee medical plan and 401(k) after meeting certain criteria.
• Regular roles include medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off.