📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Paid Search
🔹 Company: Code3
🔹 Location: Remote (East Coast strongly preferred)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-21
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (East Coast hours expected)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing a team and elevating the department's search strategy and activation
- Developing a roadmap for growth and driving operational excellence
- Connecting paid search strategies to broader business objectives
- Actively identifying, testing, and scaling innovative approaches and emerging technologies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in paid search and team management, capable of driving growth and innovation within the department.
📋 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 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
✅ Leverage storytelling skills to translate complex search strategies into compelling campaign recommendations
✅ Train team in media planning, forecasting, budgeting, 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
✅ Cultivate strategic partnerships with senior-level clients, acting as a trusted advisor on search and digital marketing
✅ Provide critical perspective and stay ahead of platform updates, industry trends, and emerging technologies
✅ Support executive leadership in management and negotiation of platform agency partnerships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a hands-on approach, with the ability to support hands-on-keys when needed.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 9+ years of proven experience in developing paid search media plans, strategic presentations, and 2+ years of managing a team
Required Skills:
- Advanced business acumen and understanding of client commercial and financial models
- Experience contributing to new business pitches
- Ability to manage a team in paid search strategy, hands-on-keys, and client management
- Ability to anticipate client requests, team, and agency needs and provide proactive solutions
- Ability to ensure team is delivering strategy and activation excellence for clients
- Ability to mentor and guide team members' growth within the agency and career through performance reviews and development plans
- Proficiency in research platforms, paid search platforms, and analytics dashboards
- Excellent senior-level 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
Preferred Skills:
- Certifications in digital marketing and/or paid search media strategy (Google Analytics Certification, Microsoft Advertising Search Certification, Google Ads Search Certification, Google AI Powered Shopping Ads Certification, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for vocalizing thought leadership will thrive in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $145,500 - $159,500 (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 an expectation to work East Coast hours due to the current client roster
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the Advertising Services industry, with consideration for the candidate's experience level and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services, operating at the intersection of media, creative, and commerce
Company Size: 201-500 employees, with a focus on hiring, retaining, and developing a diverse group of remarkable Coders
Founded: 2006 (as SocialCode, rebranded to Code3 in 2021)
Company Description:
- Code3 is a performance marketing partner working at the intersection of media, creative, and commerce, to help brands succeed faster
- The agency manages digital advertising for disruptor and global brands across the world’s most powerful platforms
- Code3 is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment, empowering Coders to achieve great work for clients and propel their own development forward and upward
Company Specialties:
- Paid Search
- Social Media Advertising
- Display Advertising
- Amazon Advertising
- Emerging Channels (Voice, OTT, etc.)
Company Website: http://www.code3.com
ASSUMPTION: Code3's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion creates an environment where applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and all identities are encouraged to apply.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the Head of Paid Media
Reporting Structure: This role will manage a team of paid search specialists and strategists
Work Arrangement: Remote (East Coast strongly preferred), with an expectation to work 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 new business initiatives and pitches, driving innovation in strategy and thought leadership
- Chance to mentor and guide team members' growth within the agency and career through performance reviews and development plans
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with a clear path for career advancement within the agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote, with the expectation to work East Coast hours
Office Location(s): New York, NY (Headquarters)
Geographic Context:
- The East Coast time zone preference allows for better collaboration with the agency's headquarters and clients
- Working remotely offers flexibility and a better work-life balance
- The agency's commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment ensures a positive work culture
Work Schedule: Full-time, with an expectation to work East Coast hours due to the current client roster
ASSUMPTION: While this role is remote, the expectation to work East Coast hours may impact applicants' consideration of the position.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Interview with the Head of Paid Media
- Interview with the Director of Paid Media Strategy
- Final interview with the CEO or another executive leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage and grow a team
- Expertise in paid search strategy and activation
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Code3's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the paid search landscape and emerging trends in your application materials
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to discuss during the interview
- Research Code3's clients and industry to show your enthusiasm and understanding of the agency's work
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, Strategy, Team Management, Client Relationship Management, Data-Driven Decision Making, Innovation, Problem Solving, Media Planning, Performance Analysis, Training, Storytelling, Automation, AI Applications, Collaboration, Growth Strategy, Digital Marketing, Strategic Presentations
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills, demonstrating their fit for this role and alignment with Code3's values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Advertising
- Google Analytics
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in these tools is required for this role, with the opportunity to learn and utilize new tools and technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Relentless: We push boundaries and test our way to success
- Gritty: We embrace challenges and find unorthodox solutions
- Nimble: We plan, activate, and measure as one team
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work closely with our team, partners, and clients
- Data-driven: We make decisions based on data and insights
- Adaptable: We embrace change and evolve our approach as needed
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Code3's values of being relentless, gritty, and nimble?
- How do you approach collaboration and data-driven decision making in your work?
- How do you adapt to change and evolve your approach in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Code3's values and work style, ensuring they align with the agency's culture and mission.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team remotely, with an expectation to work East Coast hours
- Balancing the need for strategic thinking and innovation with the day-to-day management of paid search campaigns
- Keeping up with the ever-changing media landscape and emerging technologies
- Managing client expectations and providing proactive solutions
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on managing a team and elevating the department's search strategy, rather than solely focusing on individual campaign management
- In the Advertising Services industry, this role requires a strong understanding of the broader media ecosystem and how paid search fits into the overall marketing mix
- Career path comparison: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within the agency, with opportunities to grow into leadership roles within the paid media department or the agency as a whole
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and aspirations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a major retail client, driving revenue growth and improving ROI
- Managing a team to optimize and scale a paid search campaign for a B2B software company, resulting in a 30% increase in leads generated
- Collaborating with the creative team to develop compelling ad copy and landing pages, improving click-through rates and conversion rates for an e-commerce client
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and provide examples of their work in their application materials and interviews.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall structure of the paid media department and the agency as a whole?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the paid search team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Code3 support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Code3 foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within the paid media department and the agency?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of the role, the team, and the agency, ensuring they are a strong fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to discuss during the interview
- Research Code3's clients and industry to show your enthusiasm and understanding of the agency's work
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
