Director, Paid Search

twentysix; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

twentysix is seeking a seasoned Paid Search leader to guide a team of 4–5 managers and associate directors, shaping strategy and performance across a portfolio of enterprise clients. You will drive data-informed paid search initiatives, mentor staff, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and advance best practices while ensuring client satisfaction and sustained growth.

You will establish testing frameworks, oversee analytics, and communicate recommendations to clients and executives, while

Qualifications

• 7+ years of paid media advertising experience in agency/client settings.
• 2+ years prior staff management with mentoring experience.
• Extensive experience developing, optimizing, analyzing, and reporting on paid search campaigns.
• Experience with data analytics tools such as Google Analytics.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Suite, Excel, Asana.
• Experience with creating paid search customer acquisition campaigns for diverse clients.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead in boardroom and remote settings.
• Maturity and professionalism for large teams and accounts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 4–5 Paid Search Managers and Associate Directors.
• Oversee enterprise Paid Search client portfolios with focus on retention, growth, and strategic alignment.
• Drive integrated, data-informed Paid Search strategies aligned to client objectives.
• Serve as a senior strategic partner across client relationships and outcomes.
• Partner with Client Services, Paid Media leadership, and channel teams to identify growth opportunities.
• Establish testing frameworks and innovation roadmaps to advance performance.
• Ensure quality assurance and adherence to department processes.
• Support onboarding and mentorship across the Paid Search team.
• Contribute to department operations and strategic initiatives.
• Act as strategic advisor by surfacing opportunities, risks, and insights.
• Support new business initiatives through audits and strategic recommendations.
• Maintain expertise across Paid Search and other digital channels.
• In select cases, directly managing high-profile accounts.
• Serve as thought leader on AI and evolution of search with SEO team.

Skills

Team leadership

Paid search expertise

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Tools

Google Ads

Google Analytics

Excel

Asana

Job description

You Will Be

• Leading and developing a team of 4–5 Paid Search Managers and Associate Directors, providing strategic guidance, coaching, and professional development support

• Overseeing a portfolio of enterprise Paid Search clients, ensuring flawless execution, retention, growth, innovation, and strategic alignment across accounts

• Driving integrated, data-informed Paid Search strategies that align to client business objectives, cross-channel initiatives, and overall digital marketing goals

• Serving as a senior strategic partner and leadership presence across client relationships, providing oversight on recommendations, deliverables, escalations, and long-term growth opportunities

• Partnering cross-functionally with Client Services, Paid Media leadership, and channel teams to identify opportunities for account growth, operational efficiency, and integrated media strategies

• Establishing and maintaining testing frameworks, innovation roadmaps, and thought leadership initiatives to evolve client performance and advance Paid Search best practices

• Ensuring quality assurance, operational excellence, and adherence to department processes and standards across the account portfolio

• Supporting onboarding and mentorship across the Paid Search team, including training on strategy, communication, business acumen, and platform expertise

• Contributing to department operations, resource management, process improvements, and strategic initiatives to support continued team and business growth

• Acting as a strategic advisor to Paid Search leadership by proactively surfacing account opportunities, business risks, team insights, and recommendations

• Supporting new business initiatives through audits, pitches, and strategic recommendations for prospective Paid Search clients

• Maintaining expertise across Paid Search and broader digital marketing channels, including Paid Social, SEO, Content Marketing, Programmatic, and Email Marketing

• In select cases, directly managing high-profile accounts to stay current on evolving technologies, platform capabilities, and industry trends while testing and scaling new strategies across the department

• Serving as a thought leader on AI and the evolution of search, collaborating with the SEO team to translate emerging trends into holistic search strategies and actionable recommendations for clients

You Must Have

• 7+ years of experience working in paid media advertising comprising of media planning/buying in paid search within an agency/client environment

• 2+ years prior staff management with development and mentoring experience, as well as the ability to navigate difficult personnel situations and conflicts

• Extensive experience developing, optimizing, analyzing, and reporting on paid search campaigns

• Experience with data analytical tools such as Google Analytics

• Strong working experience in Google suite, Excel, Asana (project management)

• Experience with creating paid search customer acquisition campaigns for a diverse range of clients and verticals (multi-location and lead gen preferred)

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to identify and respond to situations quickly

• Inherent boardroom leadership and the ability to command a room (remotely) and lead a team.

• A maturity and professionalism appropriate for the size and scale of the teams and accounts we are managing