Director, Paid Search

Dentsu International Americas, LLC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401k

Flexible PTO

Paid holidays

Parental Leave

Job summary

Dentsu is seeking a Director, Paid Search in New York to lead a high‑performing paid search team. You will own media strategy, mentor staff, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams, driving innovative solutions and best practices across channels.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, hands‑on execution, and delivering outstanding media ideas and results in a hybrid work environment. A client‑facing leader with proven impact is ideal.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of digital and paid search experience
• Minimum of 3+ years managing a team
• Strong SEM expertise and knowledge of other channels

Responsibilities

• Owns media strategy and client relationships; acts as SME
• Translates client objectives into media strategies
• Mentors junior staff and drives best practices
• Leads cross‑functional collaboration to ensure a one‑team approach
• Drives innovation and thought leadership within the paid search practice

Skills

Paid search

Team leadership

Client relations

SEM expertise

Cross-channel knowledge

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description: dentsu Media is looking for an exceptional Director, Paid Search to lead our award‑winning paid search team. Overall, this job is for someone who loves search, gets excited about seeing their team succeed, enjoys problem solving, and seeks out ways to inspire, foster growth and build genuine partnerships with the team and clients. The leader in this role is responsible for providing strategic direction for their assigned teams and demonstrates an in‑depth knowledge of all aspects of their client’s business, the industry, and competitive landscape. They should be a talented media trailblazer with a proven track record of owning paid search strategy and execution from end‑to‑end, excels at improving operational efficiencies and team workflow, skilled at developing team members and capable of creating positive, meaningful change. The Director, Paid Search must be both strategic and hands on, have a strong project management sensibility and be engaged and tenacious about delivering outstanding media ideas and results. This high visibility role is perfect for those with a passion for innovation, collaboration and outstanding team management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Owns media strategy and client relationship. Serves as a trusted adviser and subject matter expert (SME) both internally and externally.
• Translates client business objectives into Media strategies
• Contributes to the agency's long held leadership position within the industry via new business wins and award‑winning case studies.
• Responsible for elevating the paid search practice (e.g., sharing advanced tactics with other teams, presenting at cross‑office meetings, mentoring junior employees not on your direct team) and operational standards, best practices, thought leadership, and the development of POVs.
• Contributes to the agency's long held leadership position within the industry via new business wins and award‑winning case studies.
• Manages and develops direct reports and is accountable for complete team development; includes driving our culture of Appreciation, Accountability, Ingenuity, and Inclusivity.
• Spearhead innovation for high profile, established client roster to drive their business forward.
• Actively demonstrate thought leadership to guide and advise clients, vet opportunities, and devise arguments and selling strategies.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional dentsu teams, balancing the needs of the client with the needs of the team/agency to ensure a “one team” mentality.
• Remain close enough to daily operations to be able to assist when junior team members need help and/or guidance.
• Able to lead and nurture team growth through effective mentorship. Influence behavior by providing detailed instruction, supporting rationale, and ongoing feedback that is tailored to the individual.

Qualifications:

• 9+ years of digital and paid search experience, leading teams and communicating with clients
• Minimum of 3+ years managing a team of employees
• Deep expertise in SEM, as well as a strong understanding of other channels including product listing ads/shopping, programmatic, display, paid social, and others.
• Able to navigate and speak to the complexities of the digital media landscape across disciplines, without necessarily needing to be an expert in each discipline.
• Is relied upon to confidently and proactively speak to the agency’s value and when to apply various services or solutions.
• Drives thought leadership, POVs, crafts presentations and inspires a culture of ingenuity
• Experience across multiple verticals with the ability to think strategically and make innovative recommendations that drive client goals
• Ability to nurture and retain client and employee relationships
• Proactive problem‑solving skills starting from a position of optimism
• Ability to analyze complex issues and to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs and recommendations to solve client challenges
• High levels of integrity, autonomy, and self‑motivation
• Persuasive storyteller and presenter. Must be comfortable developing and delivering strategic presentations which resonate with all audiences, and able to think on one’s feet. Generates client confidence as a trusted advisor by actively listening and understanding challenges and or roadblocks and speaking with authority on how we will address them.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Additional Information:

The annual salary range for this position is 125K-135K. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Benefits available with this position include: 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, and 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.

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our hybrid way of working combines remote flexibility with regular in‑person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Many of our employees who live within commuting distance (90 minutes) from one of our Headquarter or Hub Offices (New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles) are required to work in the office 2‑3 days per week including one Team Day. The minimum number of days may vary by office and role. Dentsu may designate other HQ or Hub offices at any time. Those who do not live near an office may be designated as a remote employee, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect you to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office from time to time. #LI-EB1 #LI-Hybrid Location: New York Brand: Iprospect 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.

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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 Who we are Our Social Impact Our work