Associate Director, Paid Search

Allen & Gerritsen; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen & Gerritsen (A&G) in Boston seeks an Associate Director, Paid Search Media to lead strategy, governance, and growth of our paid search practice across client accounts. You will drive performance, scale programs on Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging search channels, while mentoring a team and aligning with analytics and strategy teams.

You will bring curiosity to AI-enabled landscape, rigorous campaign governance, and a problem-solving mindset to deliver measurable business impact

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision, governance, optimization, and scaling of paid search programs across platforms.
• Mentor and develop the paid search team while aligning with analytics and strategy teams.
• Oversee account setup, testing, reporting, and client communications to ensure measurable business outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate paid search with broader media plans and channels.

Skills

Paid search strategy

Team mentorship

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Leadership

Data interpretation

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Analytics, or related field

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Job description

At A&G, we are recognized and envied for our craft and creative efficacy. Our mission is to seek and attract the most fearless talent and brave brands who want to do work that works. We believe in the power of creativity to transform brands, businesses, and communities, and we are driven by insights, imagination, and tireless collaboration. We exist to help brands be Unignorable.

At A&G, Media is built on curiosity, rigor, and humanity. We don't just plan media, we understand audiences, their motivations, and the emotional context in which brands show up. The Associate Director, Paid Search Media plays a critical role in bringing that philosophy to life.

The Associate Director, Paid Search Media is essential to driving the strategic vision, performance excellence, and growth of A&G's paid search practice across client accounts. This role is responsible for the overall strategy, governance, optimization, and scaling of paid search programs across platforms including Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging search channels. You will serve as the primary strategic authority on paid search, working closely with senior leadership across media, analytics, and strategy teams to ensure search programs deliver measurable business outcomes. You will lead and mentor a team while partnering with dedicated operations and media specialists to ensure flawless setup, execution, and evolution of client programs.

You are both a strategic leader and a practice innovator. You bring curiosity to the evolving search and AI landscape, rigor to campaign governance and performance, and a problem-solving mindset that drives continuous innovation, team development, and business impact.

Craftsmanship

Apply strong strategic thinking and execution oversight to paid search planning, account governance, and overall practice growth.

• Develop and oversee holistic paid search strategies across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and emerging search environments
• Guide comprehensive keyword research, competitor analysis, and search opportunity assessments to unlock brand growth
• Build, optimize, and manage complex keyword, audience, and ad portfolios to drive key client business objectives
• Establish standards for high-performing search ad copy aligned to user intent, brand identity, and integrated channel strategies
• Architect and oversee robust testing strategies (bidding, creative, landing pages) to continually improve campaign efficiency and ROI
• Monitor high-level campaign performance, pacing, and portfolio health to ensure strong results against primary business KPIs
• Maintain oversight of campaign documentation including authorizations, insertion orders, budget allocations, and flowcharts
• Collaborate with the analytics team to establish advanced measurement frameworks, custom reporting, and troubleshoot tagging or performance issues

Curiosity

Continuously explore new search opportunities, tools, and trends to improve campaign outcomes and advance agency expertise.

• Stay at the forefront of search platform updates, beta features, industry changes, and privacy policy shifts
• Identify and champion emerging search opportunities, including new campaign types, ad formats, AI capabilities, and targeting innovations
• Evaluate new search tools, automation features, and AI-driven platforms to enhance agency execution and client outcomes
• Monitor marketplace and competitive activity to identify strategic opportunities that improve client positioning within search environments

Creativity

Bring thoughtful search strategy that complements creative messaging and supports the broader media plan.

• Ensure search strategy aligns with broader campaign messaging, brand creative, and deeply informed audience insights
• Lead paid search strategic development for client pitches, media plans, and senior client presentations
• Identify cross-channel opportunities where search intent data can inform creative strategy and amplify broader marketing moments

Culture

Collaborate across teams while contributing to the growth, leadership, and mentorship of A&G's search practice.

• Serve as the senior point of contact and subject matter expert for paid search across internal teams and executive client conversations
• Partner closely with SEO leads to develop holistic, aligned total-search strategies (Paid + Organic)
• Provide active mentorship, career guidance, and knowledge sharing to develop talent across the media team
• Drive the ongoing evolution and innovation of A&G's paid search practice through thought leadership and team development

What You Bring:

• 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
• Demonstrated experience in team mentorship, talent development, or direct line management
• Deep understanding of how search marketing integrates into and enhances broader multi-channel media strategies
• Advanced analytical skills with strong expertise in interpreting complex performance data, attribution models, and making strategic optimization decisions
• Superior written, verbal, and executive client-presentation skills
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills
• Positive, collaborative attitude with a proactive leadership and problem-solving mindset

Why A&G?

• Join a vibrant team that values creativity, innovation, and making a positive impact.
• Work with a diverse range of clients across industries such as Travel, Tourism, Healthcare, Financial Services, Restaurants, Retail, Food & Beverage, Higher Education, Economic Development and Clean Energy/Sustainability.
• Be part of a culture that encourages continuous learning, professional growth, and having fun while doing great work.
• Collaborate with a team driven by insights, imagination, and tireless collaboration to create inventive brand experiences that evoke emotion, spur action, and create impact.
• Help brands and people transform into the best version of themselves so they can live their purpose each day and have a positive impact on the world.

*A&G is not offering immigration sponsorship for this position at this time.*

A&G is a fiercely independent agency in the cities where independence was born, Boston & Philadelphia. Innovation & culture drive its success.

A&G is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.