Associate Director, Search - Paid in Manchester

Location: Manchester, Hybrid 3 days a week

Salary: Up to £57,000

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Hybrid, 3 days a week in the office

A global media network is looking for an Associate Director to lead paid search across a portfolio of high-profile, high-spending clients from its Manchester office. You will own search strategy and performance, act as the most senior day-to-day search contact for clients, and manage and develop a team alongside the Search Director. There is also a wider remit to represent the agency with platform partners and help shape best practice across the network.

The Role

• As a senior leader within the Search team, you will set the strategic direction for paid search across your client group and shape how search integrates into broader media strategies.
• Serve as the strategic lead for paid search across a portfolio of high-profile clients.
• Own the direction and effectiveness of search activation.
• Set the vision for your client group alongside the Director and influence cross-departmental processes and decision making.
• Play a key role in the wider search community, driving thought leadership, representing the agency with partners, and helping define best-in-class standards across the network.
• Report to the Search Director.

What You'll Be Doing

• Take full strategic ownership of paid search performance across a large-spending client portfolio, setting ambition and direction with senior client stakeholders.
• Develop paid search best practice and ensure adherence to controls and processes.
• Act as the escalation point for strategic paid search problems, proactively identifying risks, opportunities and growth pathways.
• Champion innovation by testing and scaling new Google and Microsoft products and AI capabilities.
• Operate as the most senior day-to-day search lead and strategic partner to client stakeholders.
• Influence integrated planning conversations, ensuring search shapes brand and performance outcomes.
• Represent the agency with platform partners, contributing to joint business plans, beta programmes and capability-building initiatives.
• Directly manage and develop a team, setting high standards for delivery, communication and craft expertise.
• Support resource shaping, succession planning and long-term team capability development.
• Contribute to recruitment for your team and act as an ambassador for the agency.
• Shape team culture through clear leadership behaviours, coaching and cross-office collaboration.
• Drive operational and process excellence, ensuring the team makes full use of the agency's AI tools, technology and automation capabilities.
• Contribute to commercial planning and identify opportunities for service evolution, scope expansion and new revenue.
• Ensure full governance and compliance across financial, operational and activation workflows.

What We're Looking For

• Deep platform expertise across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads and SA360, with a strong understanding of how AI, automation and audience signals are evolving performance marketing.
• Significant experience leading complex search clients, whether multi-market, high-profile or high-growth.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong track record of developing and managing people.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional workstreams and collaborate with Media, Planning, Data, Analytics and Creative teams.
• A leadership style built on collective working, trust, openness and championing growth and development.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, vision and dental insurance
• Group retirement plans
• Significant paid time off
• Preferential partner discounts
• Employee mental health awareness days
• Access to a global network for learning, development and internal mobility
• Employee resource groups and regular in-office events

Location & Working Pattern: Based in Manchester. Hybrid working, 3 days a week in the office. This is a UK-based role and candidates must have the right to work in the UK.