Associate Director Of Paid Media

360 Om | Performance Marketing Agency; Remote; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A global performance marketing agency is seeking an Associate Director of Paid Media to lead multi-channel strategies and manage a skilled team. This role involves championing AI adoption within the performance team and ensuring the agency's excellence in campaign execution. Ideal candidates have extensive paid media experience and strong leadership skills. The position offers a competitive salary, remote working options, and a collaborative culture that values innovation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Access to AI and automation tools

Supportive culture

Qualifications

• 7+ years of paid media experience, ideally in an agency.
• Proven track record of managing large budgets and driving ROI.
• Strong understanding of AI tools and their application in marketing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee integrated paid media strategy across client portfolios.
• Drive AI adoption and innovation within the Paid Media team.
• Manage and mentor team members in performance marketing.

Skills

Paid media experience

Meta Ads expertise

Strong collaboration skills

Analytical mindset

Leadership style

Tools

Google Ads

TikTok Ads

AI tools in marketing

Job description

Overview

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 are 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