Associate Director, Search - Paid
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
Benefits
- Group retirement plans
- Competitive
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.
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Associate Director, Search - Paid in Manchester employer: Oscar Associates Ltd
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