Paid Search Associate Director

Zenith; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

Reflection Days

Shared Parental Leave

Job summary

Zenith International, part of Publicis Groupe, is hiring a Paid Search Associate Director to shape high-performing search strategies and drive client growth. You’ll lead a hands-on team, turn insights into action, and partner with clients and specialists to deliver measurable improvements.

The role blends strategic thinking with operational leadership, uses automation and bid-management tech, and offers a collaborative culture with learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven track record managing paid search campaigns and translating client objectives into strategies.
• Experience with Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising; proficient in reporting and optimisation tools.
• Strong client relationships with senior stakeholders and strategic guidance ability.
• Organised with ability to prioritise multiple tasks while ensuring quality.
• Experience supporting or leading others with a collaborative approach.
• Experience supporting or managing others and fostering inclusive collaboration.
• Curiosity about automation and emerging tech to scale performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day paid search directions, aligning activity with client business strategy.
• Develop long-term search strategies for sustainable growth and performance gains.
• Build trusted relationships with senior clients, offering clear guidance and high-quality service.
• Guide the team to deliver operational excellence with clear priorities and processes.
• Utilise automation and bid-management tech to identify and address opportunities.
• Collaborate with agency specialists to develop integrated solutions and new commercial opportunities.
• Mentor and recognise team performance and development.

Skills

Paid search management

Google Ads

Microsoft Advertising

Analytics & reporting

Client relationship management

Team leadership / coaching

Automation & AI in bidding

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Advertising

Bid-management tools

Job description

Company Description

We are Zenith, the ROI agency, but we’re about so much more than numbers. Since 2005, we’ve been helping some of the world’s biggest and most exciting brands turn ambitious ideas into meaningful business growth. As part of Publicis Groupe, our global community of 6,000+ specialists across 95 markets brings together media, data, technology, commerce and content to solve complex challenges and create work that makes a difference.

We believe the best work happens when great people come together. We’re curious, collaborative and always looking for new ways to think, challenge convention and push what’s possible. From strategy and planning to performance, data, content and trading, our teams work across disciplines to create smarter, more personal experiences for the brands we partner with.

And we’re serious about our people too. We want Zenith to be a place where everyone feels seen, heard and represented, with opportunities to learn, grow and make your mark. From our regular social events, mentoring, learning opportunities, recognition and community initiatives, we’re building a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work, share ideas and have a lot of fun along the way.

So, if you’re ambitious, curious and excited by the pace of change in our industry, you’ll fit right in. Whether you’re a media expert, creative thinker, data enthusiast, tech lover or simply someone who wants to make an impact, there’s a place for you at Zenith. Come and help us create a more meaningful kind of ROI – for our clients, our people and our culture.

Overview

We are hiring a Paid Search Associate Director to shape high-performing search strategies and help clients achieve meaningful, measurable growth. You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, turning insights, automation and new ideas into stronger campaign performance. Working closely with clients, specialists and agency partners, you’ll create excellent work while supporting a collaborative team where people can develop and thrive.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day direction of paid search accounts, ensuring activity supports each client’s wider business strategy.
• Develop long-term search strategies that unlock sustainable growth and measurable performance improvements.
• Build trusted relationships with senior clients, offering clear guidance and consistently high-quality service.
• Guide your team to deliver operational excellence, with clear priorities, effective processes and accurate outputs.
• Use automation, AI, bid-management technology and campaign audits to identify and address performance opportunities.
• Work with agency specialists and partner teams to develop integrated solutions, innovative products and new commercial opportunities.
• Support team development through clear goals, constructive coaching, knowledge-sharing and recognition of great work.

Qualifications

• Strong experience managing paid search campaigns and translating client objectives into effective strategies.
• Working knowledge of platforms such as Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising, with confidence using reporting and optimisation tools.
• Analytical skills, including the ability to interpret performance data and turn it into clear, practical recommendations.
• Experience building positive client relationships and communicating effectively with senior stakeholders.
• An organised approach, with the ability to prioritise multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Experience supporting or managing others, with a commitment to learning, development and inclusive collaboration.
• Curiosity about automation and emerging technology, alongside sound judgement about how they can improve performance at scale.

Additional Information

Zenith International offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Zenith International, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs – for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition – please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change – building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.