Associate Director, Performance in Manchester

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner‑led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

JOB PURPOSE

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in Manchester and London. We combine data, technology, creative content, and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like ad campaigns, augmented reality, and chatbots. Our clients include ASOS, Just Eat Takeaway, Twitch, TikTok, and The White Company.

Are you a visionary Paid Search leader with a proven track record of driving tangible revenue and market share growth? Do you thrive on the thrill of the pitch and the satisfaction of expanding client portfolios? We’re seeking a dynamic Paid Search leader to ignite our presence in the UKI, transforming our Paid Search discipline into a powerhouse of growth, innovation, people happiness, and client success. You will support the charge in evolving our Search discipline in a rapidly evolving and disrupting ecosystem. You won’t just keep up with Google’s AI shifts; you will proactively integrate generative AI across platforms into our daily operations to redefine what ‘performance’ looks like in an AI‑first world.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Take a strategic lead in the overall performance, profitability, and long‑term business growth of our Paid Search discipline.
• Accelerate and drive the transition from traditional Paid Search management to AI‑driven accounts.
• Be a key player in new business efforts, actively engaging in pitches, refining our sales narratives, and collaborating closely with our new business department to secure and expand our client base.
• Drive adoption of the right tech and tooling, alongside ensuring we have a data‑led approach across all accounts.
• Oversee top Paid Search clients and drive innovation, project growth, and excellence in delivery.
• Spend at least 60% of time on projects or sales initiatives.
• Enable and boost x-craft collaboration, bringing our Paid Search activities and offerings closer together with adjacent crafts, such as Content, Data, AI, Organic Search and Social.
• Ensure an agile development of our Paid Search proposition, aligning product‑market fit and traction with the right target clients.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Have at least 10 years of experience in Paid Search.
• Are highly autonomous and proactive, demonstrating the ability to own complex projects and make significant decisions with minimal oversight.
• You have a deep curiosity for AI and machine learning. You don’t just follow trends; you understand how to apply tools.
• Have a significant focus on business development, a successful track record with pitching, and client relationship management.
• You genuinely love the sales process.
• Are analytical, flexible, and able to work independently.
• Have great communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to persuade.
• Are ambitious, results‑oriented, and know how to plan and organise.
• Are located and directly available to start working from our London or Manchester offices.

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies.
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday.
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with big names and clients.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.