Associate Director, Paid Search/SEM (Pharma Client)

Publicis Group; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Spark Foundry, part of Publicis Groupe, is seeking an Associate Director of Paid Search in Chicago to drive strategic search initiatives and lead campaign execution.

You will manage budgets, optimize programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet client objectives while mentoring junior staff and contributing to new business efforts.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Paid Search experience.
• 2+ years of leadership and management experience.
• Hands-on experience with Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and SA360.
• Experience applying search marketing to brand-building and direct response.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of paid search campaigns for clients (branded and direct response).
• Leverage search best-practices across all search tactics.
• Ensure all campaign billings are up to date and finance queries are answered promptly.
• Analyze search campaign performance against client KPIs and report trends and insights.
• Continuously develop skills through training and workshops.
• Support in new business pitches and related work as required.
• Delegate work and manage career progression of direct reports.

Skills

Paid search

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Advertising

SA360

Job description

Company description

Spark Foundry was built during the most transformative time in the history of advertising and marketing. We deliver everything a traditional media agency has to offer and have grown into one of the world’s most successful agencies by helping brands evolve their marketing by leveraging identity, commerce, artificial intelligence, and more to connect with people. Transformation is part of our DNA. Spark Foundry’s start-up spirit delivers high-touch approaches and a never-ending desire to challenge the status quo. Combined with Publicis Media’s powerhouse soul leveraging connected data assets, advanced AI applications, and investment clout, we “Bring HEAT to Brands.” No other agency possesses the expertise that we do to address today’s most pressing challenges to drive business transformation through media.

Overview

The Associate Director, Paid Search will apply search knowledge and expertise to actionable insights and recommendations for assigned client(s). The Associate Director will collaborate with the Manager. Paid Search in driving strategic search expertise within the team, helping to develop innovative strategies to meet and exceed client business objectives. They will also lead tactical execution and optimization of Search programs, and be responsible for optimizing, implementing, and analyzing marketing activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of paid search campaigns, including budget management, for assigned clients (branded and direct response campaigns)
• Leverage search best-practices across all search tactics
• Ensure all campaign billings are up to date and all finance queries are followed up in a timely manner
• Analyze search campaign performance against client KPI's and report on trends and insights to key stakeholders
• Continuously develop and grow skills by participating in ongoing training, workshops, etc.
• Support in any new business pitches and related work as required
• Responsible for delegating work and managing career progression of direct reports

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Paid Search experience
• 2+ years of demonstrated leadership and management skills
• Hands on keyboard experience in Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and/or SA360
• Experience in applying search marketing to brand-building and direct response initiatives
• Proven ability to lead and manage performance teams
• Strong command of search platform research and reporting resources
• Knowledge of syndicated research tools
• Familiarity with third-party ad serving technologies
• Technically strong quantitative skills, including analytical abilities and math proficiency
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving abilities
• Solid verbal and written communication skills, with polished presentations skills a must
• Ability to work successfully with teams on multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Desire to work in an industry which is constantly evolving and presenting new and unique challenges
• Ability to sell ideas clearly and deliver value
• Self-driven to meet and exceed revenue and goals for our clients

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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Compensation Range: USD $97,375.00 - USD $139,965.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 9/26/2026.