Associate Director, Search

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human‑centred creativity, and AI‑driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact‑obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Position Overview

Detail‑oriented, hands‑on Associate Director, Paid Search, to help drive the execution and performance of paid search campaigns across our portfolio of pharmaceutical clients. In this role, you will take ownership of day‑to‑day campaign management, optimization, and reporting, while leading a small team and collaborating with internal teams to ensure flawless delivery. This is a hybrid role, based in any of our US offices—including Boston, Chicago, Carmel, or Lambertville—or remotely within the US, depending on team and business needs.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Managers that own day‑to‑day management of paid search campaigns across Google Ads & Microsoft Ads
• Build and refine keyword strategies, ad copy, bidding approaches, and audience targeting to meet performance goals
• Help monitor budget pacing and performance across accounts to ensure efficient spend and delivery
• Analyze campaign data regularly to identify optimization opportunities, address underperformance, and implement tactical improvements
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (media, analytics, client services) to ensure seamless campaign planning and execution
• Support the creation of test‑and‑learn strategies to improve performance and unlock new insights
• Assist with client deliverables, including performance reporting, POVs on platform updates, and tactical recommendations
• Lead a small team, supporting their development through platform guidance and process oversight
• Stay current with SEM trends, platform features, and industry best practices

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• 6+ years experience in search engine marketing (SEM), including hands‑on experience with Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and associated tools (e.g., SA360, Google Ads Editor)
• 2+ years of people management experience
• Pharmaceutical Industry experience is Required
• Deep understanding of SEM tactics, campaign structure, keyword research, bid strategies, audience segmentation, and testing frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and build scalable processes
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite
• Strong analytical mindset and creative problem‑solving skills
• Desire to continually learn, improve, and grow within the media buying industry
• Ability to self‑manage under deadlines
• Demonstrates professional verbal and written communication skills

Pay Range

$70,000 - $115,000. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job‑related, non‑discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

Benefits

Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region, including free snacks, generous holiday and paid time off, options for private medical, dental, and vision plans, and support in saving for the future. Other perks include mental wellness coaching and support and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Real Chemistry operates. Should you require accommodations throughout the interview process please let your recruiter know.