Senior Paid Search Director — Lead Strategy & Growth

Starcom; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Family Care

Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility 지원

Pet adoption support

Wellness and Health Programs

Tuition Assistance

Generous PTO and holidays

Matching Gifts

Flexible working arrangements

Work Your World program

Employee Resource Groups

Job summary

Starcom seeks an Associate Director, Paid Search to lead strategy and performance across key client accounts. You will mentor Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts, guiding a data-driven approach and balancing innovation with operational rigor in a fast-paced, matrix environment.

You will collaborate with cross-channel teams, drive testing and optimization, and ensure scalable programs aligned with client objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in paid media with emphasis on paid search/SEM.
• 2+ years leading and developing teams.
• Experience with bid management, analytics platforms, and performance metrics.
• Strong communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own paid search strategy and performance for assigned accounts, aligned to client business objectives.
• Lead performance discussions, planning conversations, and strategic presentations with clients.
• Develop cross-platform paid search roadmaps, including testing, optimization, and growth initiatives.
• Partner with analytics, programmatic, paid social, and broader media teams to deliver integrated recommendations.
• Oversee campaign structure, budgeting, forecasting, and pacing to ensure performance and financial accountability.
• Utilize platform automation and AI-enabled bidding and optimization tools with human oversight.

Skills

Paid media

Paid search

People management

Analytical skills

Client presentations

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Starcom seeks an Associate Director, Paid Search to lead strategy and performance across key client accounts. You will mentor Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts, guiding a data-driven approach and balancing innovation with operational rigor in a fast-paced, matrix environment.

You will collaborate with cross-channel teams, drive testing and optimization, and ensure scalable programs aligned with client objectives.