Associate Director, Search - Paid

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
• 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.

Interested?

This role is being handled by Oscar Sales. To apply, or to talk it through before you do, get in touch:

Beth Emms

(see below)

Oscar Associates (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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