Associate Director, Paid Social

Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentsu X in New York is seeking an Associate Director, Paid Social to lead strategy, activation, and optimization for paid social campaigns. You will translate performance data into actionable insights for clients and drive cross-channel integration with analytics teams.

The role emphasizes team leadership, proactive storytelling of results, and ongoing client growth. A strong background in platform updates, budgeting, and process improvement is required in a fast-paced agency environment.

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in paid social, digital marketing, or interactive advertising.
• Experience managing campaigns across Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and Pinterest.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to translate data into insights.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, or managing team members is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop paid social strategy, oversee campaign execution, optimization, reporting, and performance across assigned client accounts.
• Partner with cross-channel teams to deliver integrated media solutions and achieve client objectives.
• Manage client relationships related to paid social, performance, reporting, and growth.
• Present performance insights, strategic recommendations, and platform updates to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor KPIs, deadlines, and client goals; communicate risks and opportunities.
• Coach and develop team members to ensure high-quality work and collaboration.
• Collaborate with analytics and client services on budget management, forecasting, and measurement.

Skills

Paid social strategy

Analytics & reporting

Client communication

Team leadership

Campaign optimization

Budget forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an Associate Director, Paid Social to join our team. In this role, you will oversee paid social campaign planning, activation, optimization, and reporting. You will support strategy development, monitor performance against objectives, and deliver audience-first recommendations that drive measurable results. The ideal candidate brings deep paid social platform expertise, strong analytical skills, and experience translating campaign performance into clear, actionable insights. As a client-facing partner, you will confidently communicate campaign performance, platform updates, industry changes, and optimization opportunities while building trusted client relationships. This role also includes managing and developing team members, ensuring high-quality execution, and collaborating across channels to deliver integrated media solutions. We are looking for someone with a passion for paid social who brings a proactive approach, strong accountability, deep platform expertise, and a well-developed strategic point of view. You have experience with reporting, budgeting, process management, and quality assurance, and can translate performance insights into actionable recommendations that drive client outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Develop a strong understanding of clients' businesses, objectives, industry landscape, and success metrics to inform paid social strategies and recommendations. Oversee paid social strategy, campaign execution, optimization, reporting, and performance across assigned client accounts. Partner with cross-channel teams to deliver integrated media solutions and achieve client objectives. Manage client relationships related to paid social strategy, performance, reporting, and ongoing account growth. Present performance insights, strategic recommendations, platform updates, and optimization opportunities to clients and internal stakeholders. Ensure campaigns follow platform best practices and incorporate emerging trends, tools, and innovations where appropriate. Monitor and drive performance against KPIs, deadlines, and client goals. Serve as an escalation point for account and team challenges, identifying solutions and communicating risks proactively. Build and maintain relationships with media partners and social platform representatives. Collaborate with analytics and client services teams on budget management, forecasting, and performance measurement. Identify opportunities to expand services, support client growth, and contribute to new business initiatives. Manage, coach, and develop team members, supporting professional growth and high-quality work. Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and consistent processes across teams. Partner with other media channels to align strategies and share insights that improve overall campaign performance. Support operational and tactical initiatives as needed to ensure team and client success.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience. 7 years of experience in paid social, digital marketing, or interactive advertising, including hands‑on experience building, managing, and optimizing campaigns. Experience managing campaigns across major paid social platforms, including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and Pinterest. Strong understanding of direct response and brand marketing strategies, audience planning, and media measurement. Knowledge of the digital marketing landscape, social media trends, and emerging platform capabilities. Ability to analyze campaign performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience sharing performance updates, strategic recommendations, and platform changes with clients and internal stakeholders. Experience managing client relationships and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Experience with budget management, forecasting, and performance reporting. Experience coaching, mentoring, or managing team members is preferred. Ability to identify challenges, evaluate solutions, and make informed recommendations to support business objectives. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.

Additional Information

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we're connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in‑person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000-$115,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 15 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Paid parental leave

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Location

New York

Brand

Dentsu X

Time Type

Full time

Contract Type

Permanent

Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.

Location

New York

Brand

Dentsu X

Time Type

Full time

Contract Type

Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We're leading the way - helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us.

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