📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Paid Search
🔹 Company: Code3
🔹 Location: Remote (East Coast strongly preferred)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (East Coast hours preferred)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing a team and elevating the paid search strategy
- Driving operational excellence and department growth
- Supporting hands-on client management and activation
- Fostering collaboration with other teams and clients
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in paid search, team management, and client stewardship. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working remotely and managing a team across different time zones.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and own the overarching paid search strategy and deliver activation excellence across search platforms and tactics
✅ Support team and clients on feed management and strategy
✅ Build and lead a team that delivers unbeatable paid search strategies and ad performance
✅ Actively identify, test, and scale innovative approaches, automation opportunities, and emerging technologies within paid search
✅ Manage department profitability via strategic improvement of workflow efficiencies and team utilization
✅ Foster collaboration between paid search team, client partnership, creative, growth, and activation teams
✅ Support growth team on new business initiatives and pitches by being the expert paid search voice and driving innovation in strategy and thought leadership
✅ Represent the agency’s strategic point of view and ethos in internal and external presentations and meetings
✅ Train team in media planning, forecasting, budgeting, and setup best practices, developing learning agendas, and performance analysis
✅ Be the paid search point of escalation internally and externally with the ability to effectively problem solve and identify areas of opportunity
✅ Provide critical perspective and stay ahead of platform updates, industry trends, and emerging technologies
✅ Provide executive leadership with holistic platform management insights for agency partnership negotiations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a hands-on approach to managing clients and teams, as well as a strong focus on strategic planning and innovation.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 7+ years of proven experience in developing paid search media plans, strategic presentations, and 1+ year of managing a team
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in developing paid search media plans and strategies
- Ability to manage a team in paid search strategy, hands-on-keys, and client management
- Excellent client presentation abilities
- Experience in growing revenue and client roster through strong strategy and relationships
- Experience serving as an escalation point for clients, supporting with fire drills, strategic guidance, and growth
- Proficiency in research platforms, paid search platforms, and analytics dashboards
Preferred Skills:
- Certifications in digital marketing and/or paid search media strategy (e.g., Google Analytics Certification, Microsoft Advertising Search Certification, Google Ads Search Certification, Google AI Powered Shopping Ads Certification)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in paid search, team management, and client stewardship are encouraged to apply. Experience working remotely and managing teams across different time zones is a plus.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $128,000 - $143,500 (commensurate with candidate experience and location)
Benefits:
- Full medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Generous retirement program
- Thoughtful parental leave and return program
- Flexible Time Off, holidays, quarterly Company “Recharge” Days, and holiday closure in December
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Commitment to transparent DEIB practices
Working Hours: Full-time, with a preference for East Coast hours due to the current client roster
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: Not specified
Company Description:
- Code3 is a performance marketing partner working at the intersection of media, creative, and commerce, to help brands succeed faster.
- The company manages digital advertising for disruptor and global brands across the world’s most powerful platforms.
- Code3 is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for its employees.
Company Specialties:
- Paid Search
- Social Media Advertising
- Display Advertising
- E-commerce Marketing
Company Website: http://www.code3.com
ASSUMPTION: Code3 is a well-established advertising agency with a strong focus on performance marketing and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior management
Reporting Structure: This role will manage a team of paid search specialists and report directly to the Head of Paid Media or a similar role.
Work Arrangement: Remote, with a preference for East Coast hours due to the current client roster.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the paid media department or the agency as a whole.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile client accounts and contribute to new business pitches.
- Chance to develop and implement innovative strategies that drive growth and improve operational efficiency.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for growth and development within the agency, as well as the chance to make a meaningful impact on the paid media department and the company as a whole.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote, with the option to work from the agency's headquarters in New York, NY.
Office Location(s): 151 W 26th Street, Floor 9, New York, NY 10001, US
Geographic Context:
- The East Coast time zone preference allows for better collaboration with the agency's headquarters and some clients.
- Working remotely offers flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere within the United States.
- The agency's headquarters is located in New York City, a major hub for the advertising industry.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a preference for East Coast hours (approximately 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST).
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement offers flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere within the United States. However, the preference for East Coast hours may require some adjustment for candidates living in other time zones.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications.
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager or a member of the leadership team to discuss the role and the candidate's experience and qualifications.
- Final interview with the Head of Paid Media or another senior leader to discuss the candidate's fit for the role and the team.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Team management and leadership abilities
- Client stewardship and presentation skills
- Technical proficiency in paid search platforms and analytics dashboards
Application Tips:
- Highlight your experience in paid search strategy, team management, and client stewardship in your resume and cover letter.
- Tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the agency's values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Prepare examples of your work and be ready to discuss your approach to paid search strategy and activation during the interview.
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, Team Management, Client Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Innovation, Media Planning, Forecasting, Budgeting, Performance Analysis, Research Platforms, Analytics Dashboards, Client Presentation
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, team management, and client stewardship skills, as well as their technical proficiency in paid search platforms and analytics dashboards.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Advertising
- Google Analytics
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard paid search platforms, analytics tools, and project management software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Work Style:
- Remote-friendly and flexible
- Data-driven and strategic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a remote work environment and enjoy collaborating with team members across different time zones?
- Are you comfortable managing a team and driving operational excellence in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
- Do you have a strong background in paid search strategy and activation, and are you eager to share your expertise with your team and clients?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be a strong cultural fit for Code3, with a collaborative, data-driven, and adaptable work style, as well as a deep understanding of paid search strategy and activation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team remotely and across different time zones may present unique challenges and require strong communication and leadership skills.
- Keeping up with the ever-changing paid search landscape and emerging technologies may require continuous learning and adaptation.
- Balancing the demands of client management, team leadership, and strategic planning may require strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Working remotely may present distractions and require strong self-motivation and discipline.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be comfortable navigating the unique challenges presented by a remote work environment and the fast-paced, dynamic nature of the paid search industry.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Paid Search Manager or Paid Media Director role at other advertising agencies, but with a greater emphasis on team management and strategic planning.
- The remote work arrangement and preference for East Coast hours set this role apart from similar positions at other agencies.
- This role offers significant opportunities for growth and development within the agency, as well as the chance to make a meaningful impact on the paid media department and the company as a whole.
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other senior-level paid search management positions at advertising agencies, but with a greater emphasis on team management, strategic planning, and remote work.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a major e-commerce client, including keyword research, ad copy testing, and bid management.
- Managing a team of paid search specialists to execute a high-profile launch campaign for a Fortune 500 client, including real-time optimization and performance analysis.
- Conducting a comprehensive audit of an agency's paid search accounts and recommending strategic improvements to drive growth and improve operational efficiency.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will have experience managing paid search campaigns and teams, as well as a strong background in strategic planning and innovation.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the paid media department, and how this role fits into that structure?
- How does the agency support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the paid media department?
- Can you provide examples of how the agency has adapted to changes in the paid search landscape and emerging technologies in the past, and how this role will contribute to that ongoing evolution?
- How does the agency foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within the paid media department and the company as a whole?
- Can you describe the agency's approach to client stewardship and how this role will contribute to that approach?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be curious and engaged, with a strong desire to understand the agency's culture, team dynamics, and approach to client stewardship.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in paid search strategy, team management, and client stewardship.
- Prepare examples of your work and be ready to discuss your approach to paid search strategy and activation during the interview.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or a member of the leadership team within one week of submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
