Director, Digital Marketing (Paid Search)

Hogan & Associates Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Hogan & Associates Executive Search is representing Uline in a search for a Director of Digital Marketing — Paid Search. The role commands ownership of a multi-million-dollar paid search program and leads acquisition, digital merchandising, and growth across thousands of SKUs.

Based in-office at Uline’s site near Chicago, this senior leadership position demands strategic vision, data-driven execution, and team development to drive revenue and optimize ROAS across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in Paid Search/SEM.
• Experience managing large budgets (e.g., $10M).
• Strong leadership and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve Paid Search strategy across Google, Microsoft and emerging platforms.
• Translate priorities into full-funnel acquisition strategies and growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities via audience segmentation and bid-strategy innovation.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Digital Marketing team.
• Collaborate with Catalog/Merchandising/Advertising to optimize full marketing mix.

Skills

Paid Search

Leadership

Analytics

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Skai

Education

Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Ads

Skai

Analytics platforms

Job description

POSITION IS IN-OFFICE

LOCATION: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

(est. 35 minutes from O’Hare airport)

(est. 56 minutes from Chicago)

OUR FIRM

Hogan & Associates Executive Search is a retained search firm based in Minneapolis specializing in global executive and senior-level searches. Known for building effective leadership teams, we assist organizations in addressing critical talent and market challenges. Our clients value our deep expertise in various business sectors, functional roles, and talent market dynamics. We provide tailored recruitment services, delivering strategic counsel and market insights during every stage of the search process to ensure optimal outcomes.

ROLE DESCIPTION

Our Client, Uline is seeking a Director of Digital Marketing (Paid Search) to lead and scale one of the company’s most critical growth channels. This role owns a multi-million-dollar paid search program and drives performance across a vast, high-intent product catalog.

You will operate at the intersection of strategy, execution, and leadership—optimizing acquisition, advancing digital merchandising, and unlocking new growth opportunities across thousands of SKUs. This is a high-impact leadership role for a data-driven operator who thrives in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

WHY ULINE

• Industry leader: North America’s top distributor of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials
• Scale: 9,800 employees, 14 locations, and a rapidly growing digital business
• Impact: Paid Search is a core revenue engine, not a support function
• Ownership: High visibility and direct influence on business performance

In addition, the Director, Digital Marketing — Paid Search will also be responsible for the following:

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Own and evolve Uline’s Paid Search strategy across Google, Microsoft, and emerging platforms, driving measurable revenue growth and customer acquisition.
• Translate business priorities into full-funnel acquisition strategies, balancing demand capture with scalable growth initiatives.
• Identify and unlock new opportunities through audience segmentation, automation, bid strategy innovation, and channel expansion.

Performance & Budget Ownership

• Manage and optimize a significant multi-million-dollar media budget, delivering best-in-class ROAS, CAC, and revenue growth.
• Establish a culture of test-and-learn experimentation, continuously improving campaign performance and efficiency.
• Balance cost of acquisition vs. customer lifetime value, ensuring sustainable, profitable growth.

Digital Merchandising & Conversion Optimization

• Lead digital merchandising strategy to enhance product visibility, discoverability, and conversion across uline.com.
• Partner across teams to ensure product data accuracy, completeness, and optimization across all digital touchpoints.
• Leverage customer, product, and behavioral data to improve site search, navigation, and conversion funnels.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of Digital Marketing Managers and Campaign Managers.
• Build a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop future leaders while maintaining a hands-on understanding of campaign execution and performance drivers.

Cross-Functional Influence

• Partner closely with Catalog, Merchandising, and Advertising teams to optimize Uline’s multi-channel marketing ecosystem.
• Serve as the primary relationship lead with Google and Microsoft, influencing roadmap, beta adoption, and strategic direction.
• Collaborate with Analytics to ensure consistent reporting, attribution clarity, and actionable insights.
• Contribute to broader departmental strategy, aligning Paid Search with enterprise-wide marketing objectives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred)
• 10 years of Paid Search / SEM experience
• Experience managing large budgets ($10M )
• Strong leadership and analytical skills
• Expertise in Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Skai, and analytics platforms