Associate Director Of Paid Media

360 Om | Performance Marketing Agency; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 80 000 - 120 000; Full time

Job summary

A global performance marketing agency is seeking an Associate Director of Paid Media to oversee multi-channel strategy and drive AI innovation. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience, strong expertise in platforms like Meta Ads, TikTok, and Google Ads, and a track record of managing substantial budgets. The agency offers a competitive salary, a supportive culture, and opportunities to shape the future of paid media in a rapidly evolving environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday + Public Holidays

Exposure to AI tools

Qualifications

• 7+ years of paid media experience in an agency.
• Deep expertise in Meta Ads, TikTok, and Google Ads platforms.
• Strong understanding of AI tools in performance marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated paid media strategy across high-value client portfolios.
• Act as senior strategic lead for key clients.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of Paid Media Managers.

Skills

Paid media experience

Meta Ads expertise

TikTok knowledge

Google Ads proficiency

AI tools application

Analytical mindset

Job description

Associate Director of Paid Media

Department: Paid Media (PPC, Paid Social)

Location: Remote / SA

Reports to: COO

About OM

OM is a global performance marketing agency built for growth.

We help ambitious brands scale through data‑led strategy, creativity, and innovation across Paid Search, Paid Social, and Retention.

Our mission is simple : to deliver performance that matters.

We combine rigorous analytics with proactive communication, giving clients the confidence that every pound invested drives measurable return.

As an independent agency, we value agility, curiosity, and expertise — and we’re embracing AI to push the boundaries of performance marketing.

Role Overview

The Associate Director of Paid Media plays a pivotal leadership role within our performance team — overseeing multi‑channel strategy, leading innovation through AI adoption, and working closely with Client Account Directors to deliver business‑changing results.

You’ll blend strategic thinking with hands‑on expertise across Paid Search, Paid Social, and Programmatic.

You’ll champion best‑in‑class media execution while driving AI fluency across the agency — ensuring our teams and clients benefit from cutting‑edge tools and automation.

This role is ideal for a performance leader who thrives at the intersection of data, creativity, and technology.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead integrated paid media strategy across high‑value client portfolios.

Partner with Client Account Directors to align media strategies with broader commercial goals and client priorities.

Champion AI adoption and innovation across the Paid Media team — leveraging AI tools for research, optimisation, creative testing, and forecasting.

Collaborate with the Performance Director to evolve OM’s performance frameworks and automation strategy.

Identify emerging platform opportunities and ensure the agency remains at the forefront of performance marketing.

Client Partnership

Act as senior strategic lead for key clients, driving growth through insight and innovation.

Co‑lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and strategic planning sessions with Account Directors.

Translate complex performance data into compelling stories that demonstrate impact and value.

Proactively identify cross‑channel and cross‑service growth opportunities.

Team Development

Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of Paid Media Managers and Executives.

Embed a culture of AI fluency, encouraging the team to use and experiment with automation, predictive analytics, and AI‑powered insights.

Lead training and knowledge‑sharing initiatives to keep the department ahead of industry shifts.

Support hiring, performance reviews, and career development pathways.

Operational & Commercial Excellence

Ensure operational excellence in campaign setup, optimisation, and reporting.

Partner with Analytics, CRO, and Data Science teams to enhance tracking, attribution, and data accuracy.

Support forecasting, pacing, and profitability management across client accounts.

Drive efficiency through automation and process optimisation.

Skills & Experience

7+ years of paid media experience (agency background essential).

Deep expertise in Meta Ads, TikTok, and Google Ads platforms.

Strong understanding of AI tools and their application in performance marketing (e.g. ChatGPT, paid media automation, andromeda, AI creative optimisation).

Proven ability to lead strategic conversations with senior clients.

Strong collaboration skills — particularly with Client Account Directors and cross‑functional teams.

Analytical mindset with confidence in interpreting data and presenting actionable insights.

Experience managing multi‑million‑pound budgets and delivering ROI‑focused growth.

Inspirational leadership style, fostering innovation, accountability, and curiosity.

What We Offer

Competitive salary

Remote

25 days holiday + Public Holidays

Exposure to cutting‑edge AI and automation tools

Opportunity to shape the future of paid media at a fast‑growing independent agency

Supportive, collaborative culture where ideas are celebrated and impact is tangible