Paid Search Strategy Lead

Laughlin Constable; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Laughlin Constable seeks an Associate Director of Paid Search to lead strategy, execution, and client counsel across a portfolio of accounts in Chicago. This hands-on role blends platform execution with senior-level strategic thinking to develop campaigns, optimize performance, and translate results into client-ready recommendations.

You will own the Paid Search roadmap, manage budgets, and drive performance across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and related platforms, while guiding junior

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive, hands-on Paid Search experience, preferably in an agency environment.
• Current, hands-on expertise in Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and Search Ads 360 or a comparable management platform.
• Proven ability to build, manage, and optimize complex campaigns with substantial media budgets.
• Deep knowledge of Search, Performance Max, automated bidding, audience signals, first-party data, and AI-powered formats.
• Ability to develop a strong Paid Search strategy and translate it into precise platform execution.
• Experience leading client relationships and presenting strategies, performance findings, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of conversion measurement, GA4, enhanced conversions, offline conversion imports, and attribution.
• Ability to develop forecasts, budget recommendations, testing roadmaps, and actionable performance analyses.
• Experience connecting platform performance to client business outcomes.
• Strong financial stewardship across budgets, pacing, forecasting, and billing.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication, and strategic storytelling skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
• Current Google Ads Search and Measurement certifications; Microsoft Advertising certification preferred.
• Experience integrating Paid Search with SEO and AI-search visibility strategies.
• Working knowledge of Paid Social and Programmatic Media.

Responsibilities

• Own Paid Search strategy and serve as the senior Search lead across assigned accounts.
• Translate client objectives and business challenges into actionable campaign, investment, testing, and measurement strategies.
• Lead client discussions, presentations, performance reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Communicate complex platform and industry changes in clear terms, including implications for client media strategies.
• Bring an independent agency perspective to platform recommendations aligned with client objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, expand programs, and strengthen client relationships.
• Personally build, manage, optimize, and troubleshoot campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and other relevant platforms.
• Manage Search, Performance Max, YouTube, Demand Gen, and other applicable Google ecosystem campaigns.
• Own campaign architecture, keyword and query strategy, bidding, budgets, audience signals, creative inputs, exclusions, and landing-page recommendations.
• Monitor pacing, performance, and spend allocation and make timely optimization decisions.
• Conduct account audits and identify structural, strategic, measurement, and performance opportunities.
• Maintain high standards for campaign setup, QA, documentation, and financial accuracy.
• Ensure campaigns are managed proactively rather than relying on automation or recommendations.
• In collaboration with Data team, analyze campaign performance and translate findings into implications and actions.
• Evaluate performance against business outcomes and develop testing roadmaps with clear hypotheses.
• Evaluate automated bidding, AI-powered formats, first-party data, and audience signals for impact.
• Produce client-ready reporting and strategic narratives explaining outcomes and next steps.
• Develop proactive POVs on changes in consumer search behavior, AI, automation, privacy, measurement, and platform capabilities.
• Partner with Data and client teams to improve conversion tracking, offline conversions, enhanced conversions, and attribution.
• Assess measurement gaps and communicate limitations of platform reporting.
• Work with Media Planning, Paid Social, and Programmatic teams to connect Paid Search to the broader journey.
• Translate search demand and query behavior into insights informing media, content, and decisions.
• Ensure Paid Search investment aligns with the broader integrated media strategy.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to junior team members and review work for quality.
• Share learnings and opportunities across the Performance Media team.
• Contribute Paid Search expertise to new-business pitches and case studies.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Related Field

Tools

Google Ads

Microsoft Advertising

Search Ads 360

GA4

Job description

Laughlin Constable seeks an Associate Director of Paid Search to lead strategy, execution, and client counsel across a portfolio of accounts in Chicago. This hands-on role blends platform execution with senior-level strategic thinking to develop campaigns, optimize performance, and translate results into client-ready recommendations.

You will own the Paid Search roadmap, manage budgets, and drive performance across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and related platforms, while guiding junior