Associate Director, Paid Search

Mindgruve; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Life and accident insurance

401(k) with matching

Job summary

Mindgruve, based in San Diego, CA, is seeking an Associate Director of Paid Search to lead client strategy, drive results, and mentor a growing team. This role requires senior-level expertise in Google, Microsoft, and SA360, along with strong client-management skills and industry leadership.

Local candidates preferred, with some remote options based on business needs. The role emphasizes independent decision-making, cross-team collaboration, and a track record of owning client relationships

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field is required.
• 7+ years of paid search experience with leadership and independent client management.
• Agency experience strongly preferred.
• Track record of owning client relationships and delivering results with minimal oversight.
• Active Google, SA360, and Microsoft Ads certifications are required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary agency voice on paid search for assigned client accounts, requiring no QA on external communications.
• Lead and present at client-facing meetings including reporting, QBRs, and strategic reviews.
• Develop and deliver insights and recommendations that project confidence and deep expertise.
• Independently identify and diagnose campaign issues across assigned and non-assigned accounts.
• Regularly evaluate strategic approach across the account portfolio and propose updates proactively.
• Manage and mentor Supervisors, Strategists, and Analysts on the Paid Search team.
• Contribute to departmental best practices and the team learning agenda.
• Participate in hiring processes for roles below this level, providing relevant feedback.
• Balance client responsibilities with departmental and company-wide initiatives.
• Provide QA and constructive feedback on team deliverables across all levels.
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of conversion goal management in Google, Microsoft Ads, and SA360, including VBB setup.
• Confidently manage search administrative tasks including billing, advertiser verifications, and Google Partner requirements.
• Oversee account architecture, bid strategy, and testing roadmaps across client portfolios.
• Evaluate and implement tools, automation, and platform innovations.
• Participate in new business pitches including account audits, analyses, and presentation creation.
• Identify process inefficiencies and propose improvements to increase team productivity.
• Establish positive rapport with direct reports and agency stakeholders as a trusted team leader.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Communication

Organization

Agency experience

Paid search proficiency

Bilingual (Spanish/Portuguese)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

SA360

Bid management

Job description

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We are a global digital agency comprised of strategists, creatives, media experts, data scientists, and engineers driven by one common purpose — accelerate business growth through marketing and digital transformation. Named a top 3% Google Premier Partner and recognized by Inc. 5000 and Adweek’s 75 Fastest Growing Companies, we’re constantly looking for "A" players to join our team.

The rapid growth is attributed to our strongest asset — our people. Our teams are highly collaborative and work closely with each client to set clear goals and objectives so that we can deliver exceptional results. Mindgruve is a place where every opinion is valued. Not only will you be empowered to contribute ideas, but you will also play a key role in the execution and driving success for brands across a variety of industries. Sound fun? Perfect — you’ll fit right in.

The Associate Director, Paid Search leads strategic direction for client paid search programs, serves as a primary voice of the agency to clients, and contributes actively to team development and new business efforts. This role requires independent strategic decision-making across both client accounts and departmental operations.

What You'll Do Here:

Client Strategy & Communication (40%)

• Serve as the primary agency voice on paid search for assigned client accounts, requiring no QA on external communications
• Lead and present at client-facing meetings including reporting, QBRs, and strategic reviews
• Develop and deliver insights and recommendations that project confidence and deep expertise
• Independently identify and diagnose campaign issues across assigned and non-assigned accounts
• Regularly evaluate strategic approach across the account portfolio and propose updates proactively

Team Leadership & Development (25%)

• Manage and mentor Supervisors, Strategists, and Analysts on the Paid Search team
• Contribute to departmental best practices and the team learning agenda
• Participate in hiring processes for roles below this level, providing relevant feedback
• Balance client responsibilities with departmental and company-wide initiatives
• Provide QA and constructive feedback on team deliverables across all levels

Technical Execution & Oversight (25%)

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of conversion goal management in Google, Microsoft Ads, and SA360, including VBB setup
• Confidently manage search administrative tasks including billing, advertiser verifications, and Google Partner requirements
• Oversee account architecture, bid strategy, and testing roadmaps across client portfolios
• Evaluate and implement tools, automation, and platform innovations

Business Development & Operations (10%)

• Participate in new business pitches including account audits, analyses, and presentation creation
• Identify process inefficiencies and propose improvements to increase team productivity
• Establish positive rapport with direct reports and agency stakeholders as a trusted team leader
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned

We Need a Person With:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field required
• 7+ years of paid search experience, with demonstrated leadership and independent client management
• Agency experience strongly preferred
• Track record of owning client relationships and delivering results with minimal oversight
• Active Google, SA360, and Microsoft Ads certifications required
• Strong customer service and client management skills
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written
• Professional demeanor with the ability to interface with poise and confidence with leadership and clients
• Ability to ensure confidentiality with business matters and employee privacy
• Ability to proactively address cross-team needs and drive departmental efficiency
• Strong industry POV capabilities and ability to serve as agency voice to clients
• Advanced proficiency in paid search platforms, attribution tools, and tracking frameworks
• Experience with new business development and pitch presentations

Compensation:

• Salary: $110,000 - $122,000 (Pay range is based on a market reference point and potential job offers may vary based on the skills, education, experience and geographic location of the individual candidate. The compensation range reflects base rate only.)

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Additionally, for eligible full-time employees, we offer a competitive benefits package including medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; a flexible spending account; voluntary life and accident plans; and a 401(k) retirement plan with matching. We have six office locations in the US: San Diego, California, Los Angeles, California, Covington, Kentucky, Denver, Colorado, Nashville, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina. We're seeking local candidates (or those open to relocation) who are able to work collaboratively with us in one of our office's; however, based on business needs and unique job functions, some roles may be eligible for remote work. (Bonus points if you’re bilingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese.)

Mindgruve is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.