📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Paid Search
🔹 Company: DEPT®
🔹 Location: Multiple locations (see below)
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising
🔹 Date Posted: June 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of paid search experts to execute flawless campaigns
- Overseeing daily account management, tactical creation, and performance tracking
- Fostering team growth and development
- Collaborating with client partners to deliver tactical plans aligned with overall brand strategy
- Managing client relationships related to paid search strategy, team, and performance
- Ensuring effective collaboration of paid search strategy and implementation for flawless execution of search campaign strategy
- Point of escalation for all activation team members within their track
- Overseeing team resourcing and identifying succession plans
- Driving development of channel-specific innovation, thought leadership, best practices, and training
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent leadership skills, and a deep understanding of paid search and its role within the integrated media ecosystem.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Leading a team of paid search experts to execute flawless campaigns that align with client goals
✅ Overseeing daily account management, tactical creation, and performance tracking
✅ Fostering team growth and development
✅ Collaborating with client partners to deliver tactical plans that ladder up to overall brand strategy and agreed KPIs
✅ Managing client relationships as related to paid search strategy, team, and performance
✅ Ensuring effective collaboration of paid search strategy and implementation for flawless execution of search campaign strategy and activation towards client overall goals
✅ Acting as a point of escalation for all activation team members within their track, understanding when to step in and coach the team on advanced strategy, optimizations, processes, or next steps to mitigate issues and drive search growth
✅ Overseeing team resourcing, consistently updating tracking to ensure utilization numbers are accurate and the team is fully utilized towards targets
✅ Identifying succession plans for their team and cultivating talent development for upward mobility and planning for unplanned employee attrition
✅ Working with reps to identify and vet new opportunities, drive the development of channel-specific innovation, thought leadership, best practices & training, and ensuring that best practices are implemented regularly
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration, strategic thinking, and leadership to ensure the successful execution of paid search campaigns and the growth of the team.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: A minimum of 8 years’ paid search experience (spanning all core Google Ads products) and a minimum 3 years of experience in a client-facing marketing role
Required Skills:
- Proven experience managing a team of 2+ direct reports / team members and demonstrated ability to mentor and develop direct reports into more senior roles
- Deep understanding of Google Ads, Apple Search Ads, and Microsoft Ads
- Ability to audit an account and present actionable insights to a client
- Experience speaking to growth strategy, SEO, CRO, analytics and measurement with marketing managers and C-Level executives alike
- Experience acting as an escalation point for clients, evaluating team services levels and proposing improvements
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with additional advertising channels (e.g., social media, display, etc.)
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in paid search, proven leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $112,000 - $135,000 USD (based on location and experience)
Benefits:
- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401k plan, plus matching
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Company Holidays
- Parental Leave
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: Salary ranges are based on the provided information and industry standards for similar roles and locations. Benefits are based on the company's benefits package as outlined in the job description.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 2008 (as DEPT®, previously known as DEPT Agency)
Company Description:
- DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more.
- The company has a team of 4,000+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents, delivering pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture.
- DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.
Company Specialties:
- Digital Craftmanship
- Campaigns
- Social
- Data Driven Marketing
- B2B Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Creativity
- Technology
- Strategy
- Digital
- Brand
- Advertising
- Design
- Data
- Intelligence
- Organisation
- UX
- Agency
- Content
- Digital Products
- and AI
Company Website: DEPT®
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® offers a dynamic work environment with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and making a positive impact on the planet.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director/Manager
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Client Partner(s) and works closely with them to deliver tactical plans that ladder up to overall brand strategy and agreed KPIs
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a senior leadership role within the paid search team or expand into other areas of the business
- Opportunities to work on high-profile client campaigns and contribute to the company's growth and success
- Chance to develop and mentor team members, fostering a culture of growth and empowerment
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a dynamic and innovative company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
Office Location(s): Chicago, IL (with additional locations available)
Geographic Context:
- Chicago, IL: Known for its vibrant culture, diverse neighborhoods, and rich history. It offers a mix of urban and suburban living options with a strong job market and numerous entertainment and recreational opportunities.
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with 3 days required in the office and the remaining days flexible for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment for productivity and personal needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Client Partner(s)
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Paid search expertise and strategic thinking
- Leadership and team management skills
- Client relationship management and communication
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant paid search experience, leadership skills, and cultural fit
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership style, team management, and client relationship management skills
- Be ready to discuss your approach to paid search strategy, optimization, and performance tracking
- Research the company and its clients to demonstrate your understanding of their business and industry
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, SEM, Google Ads, Apple Search Ads, Microsoft Ads, Team Leadership, Client Relations, Performance Tracking, Strategy Development, Talent Development, Knowledge Sharing, Campaign Execution, Optimization, Analytics, CRO
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your technical skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit within the DEPT® team.
🛠 Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Apple Search Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- Google Analytics
- Google Tag Manager
- Google Data Studio
- Google Optimize
- Google Merchant Center
- Google Ads Editor
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Screaming Frog
- Google BigQuery
- Google Sheets
- Microsoft Excel
- Asana
- Slack
- Zoom
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they are used daily for campaign management, optimization, and performance tracking.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Pioneering: Always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today
- Collaborative: Working together to achieve common goals, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other's growth
- Open: Transparent, honest, and approachable in all interactions
- Respectful: Valuing and considering the perspectives and contributions of all team members
- Inclusive: Fostering a diverse and equitable work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered
- Purpose-driven: Committed to making a positive impact on the planet and society
Work Style:
- Strategic: Thinking critically and creatively to solve complex problems and drive business growth
- Adaptable: Embracing change and continuously learning and improving
- Collaborative: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals
- Data-driven: Using data and analytics to inform decision-making and optimize performance
- Innovative: Pushing the boundaries of what's possible and challenging the status quo
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with DEPT®'s company values, particularly 'Pioneering' and 'Collaborative'?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or strategy?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals?
- Can you describe a situation where you used data to drive a strategic decision or improve performance?
- How do you innovate and challenge the status quo in your approach to paid search strategy and execution?
ASSUMPTION: DEPT® values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to continuous learning, and eager to contribute to the company's pioneering spirit and collaborative culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team with varying levels of experience and expertise, requiring strong leadership and mentoring skills
- Balancing the demands of multiple client campaigns and ensuring consistent high-quality performance
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest paid search trends, algorithms, and best practices, which can change rapidly
- Navigating a hybrid work environment, requiring strong communication and time management skills
- Managing client expectations and ensuring client satisfaction in a dynamic and fast-paced industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other paid search management positions in its focus on leading a team and fostering growth and development, rather than solely managing client campaigns
- As a Director, this role requires a higher level of strategic thinking, leadership, and team management skills than entry-level or mid-level paid search positions
- Compared to other advertising or marketing roles, this position has a more specialized focus on paid search strategy and execution, but still requires a strong understanding of the broader marketing landscape
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic leadership, team management, and paid search expertise, making it an attractive opportunity for experienced professionals looking to advance their careers in the advertising and marketing industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive paid search strategy for a major e-commerce client, driving a 25% increase in online sales within the first six months
- Leading a team to optimize a high-ticket B2B client's paid search campaigns, resulting in a 15% reduction in cost-per-acquisition and a 20% increase in qualified leads
- Managing a team to launch a new paid search campaign for a non-profit organization, generating a 30% increase in donations and a 25% increase in website traffic
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, leadership, and team management aspects of the Director, Paid Search role, as well as the ability to drive meaningful results for clients across various industries.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the paid search team I would be leading?
- How does DEPT® support the professional development and growth of its team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the paid search team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does DEPT® measure the success of its paid search campaigns, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
- What are the most important qualities DEPT® looks for in a Director, Paid Search candidate, and how can I demonstrate those qualities throughout the interview process?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help you better understand the role, the team, and the company's expectations, allowing you to make a more informed decision about your fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant paid search experience, leadership skills, and cultural fit
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership style, team management, and client relationship management skills
- Be ready to discuss your approach to paid search strategy, optimization, and performance tracking
- Research the company and its clients to demonstrate your understanding of their business and industry
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your initial 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.
