📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Search Engine Marketing
🔹 Company: Horizon Media
🔹 Location: New York, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-29
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing multiple teams and client portfolios across the Search Marketing practice
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external clients
- Developing and administering Search and Digital account strategy
- Mentoring junior staff and championing a test/learn innovation culture
- Driving new business engagements and evaluating new technologies/strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and leadership skills, with a focus on driving performance improvements and managing teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead applicable Client relationship(s) on behalf of Search team (25%)
✅ Manage subset of Search team across multiple clients, establishing/refining processes for creating, implementing, tracking, analyzing, and optimizing Paid Search campaigns (25%)
✅ Motivate and inspire cross-section of team members from junior analysts through associate directors to drive continual performance improvements in client business (25%)
✅ Drive new business engagements from RFP completion, strategy development, prospective client pitch through transition to Horizon management (15%)
✅ Evaluate new technologies/strategies/techniques across the search landscape and gauge potential for experimentation within existing/new client engagements (5%)
✅ Develop Paid Search strategy and testing methodology and roadmap for client(s) (3%)
✅ Manage daily relationships with key search engine representatives (2%)
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of client management, team leadership, and strategic planning, with a focus on driving performance improvements through data-driven decision making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 8+ years’ experience directly related to Search Engine Marketing (Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc.) with a focus on direct response campaigns (CPA, CPL, ROI, ROAS)
Required Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong command/expertise in managing bid optimization platforms (DART Search, Kenshoo, Marin)
- Advanced MS Excel fluency (pivot tables, charts, vlookup, sumifs)
- Experience in leveraging site analytics programs for SEM analysis/insights (Google Analytics, Omniture, CoreMetrics)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in managing teams and driving performance improvements
- Background in new business development and pitching to clients
- Familiarity with emerging technologies and trends in the search landscape
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in Search Engine Marketing and proven experience in managing teams and driving performance improvements.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $145,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Retirement Savings Plans
- Company Paid Holidays
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Mental Health and Wellness Resources
- Pet Insurance
- Childcare Resources
- Identity Theft Insurance
- Fertility Assistance Programs
- Fitness Reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Director-level role in Search Engine Marketing, with a focus on direct response campaigns.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Horizon Media is a leader in driving business-based outcomes for marketers, specializing in advertising services. They were founded in 1989 and have offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Company Size: Horizon Media has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company with a well-established culture and structure.
Founded: 1989
Company Description:
- Horizon Media is a leader in driving business-based outcomes for marketers
- Recognized as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company
- Consistently named Media Agency of the Year by MediaPost, Adweek, and AdAge
- Known for its highly personal approach to client service and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Company Specialties:
- Sports and Entertainment
- Social Media
- Media Buying
- Direct Marketing
- Social Design
- Social Buying
- Insights & Analytics
- Virtual/Augmented Reality
- SEO
- Mobile
- National & Local TV Investment
- Audio Investment
- Creative Services
Company Website: http://www.horizonmedia.com
ASSUMPTION: Horizon Media is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the advertising industry, known for its innovative approach to marketing and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the Director level, indicating a high level of responsibility and leadership.
Reporting Structure: The Director will manage multiple teams and client portfolios, with direct reports including Associate Directors and other team members.
Work Arrangement: This role has a hybrid work arrangement, with a mix of on-site and remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a more senior role within the company, such as Vice President or Chief Officer
- Opportunity to lead new business development and expand the company's client portfolio
- Chance to mentor and develop junior team members, contributing to the company's overall growth and success
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to make a meaningful impact on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Horizon Media has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, with the primary office for this role located in New York City.
Office Location(s): 75 Varick Street, New York, New York 10013, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major hub for the advertising industry, offering numerous networking opportunities and access to industry events
- The city is known for its diverse culture and vibrant arts scene, providing a rich environment for creative professionals
- New York City has a competitive job market, with many advertising agencies and media companies based in the area
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The New York City office provides a dynamic and stimulating work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Experience in Search Engine Marketing and team management
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in Search Engine Marketing and team management
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the role and the company's mission and values
- Prepare specific examples of how you have driven performance improvements and managed teams in previous roles
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experience
ATS Keywords: Search Engine Marketing, Paid Search, Bid Optimization, Team Management, Client Relationships, Strategic Planning, Performance Improvement
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on candidates with relevant experience and a strong cultural fit with the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Bid optimization platforms (DART Search, Kenshoo, Marin)
- MS Excel
- Site analytics programs (Google Analytics, Omniture, CoreMetrics)
- Search engine platforms (Google AdWords, Yahoo! Search Marketing, Bing)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in bid optimization platforms, MS Excel, and site analytics programs, as well as a strong understanding of search engine platforms.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Business is Personal: Horizon Media is committed to building personal relationships with clients and team members
- Innovation: The company encourages a test/learn culture and values creativity and innovation
- Integrity: Horizon Media is committed to acting with integrity in all aspects of its business
Work Style:
- Collaborative: The company values teamwork and collaboration, with a focus on driving collective success
- Data-driven: Horizon Media makes decisions based on data and analytics, with a focus on driving performance improvements
- Adaptable: The company values flexibility and adaptability, with a focus on staying ahead of industry trends and changes
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have experience building and maintaining strong client relationships?
- Are you comfortable managing teams and driving performance improvements?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, data-driven work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative, data-driven environment and have experience building and maintaining strong client relationships and managing teams.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple teams and client portfolios can be challenging and require strong organizational skills
- Driving new business engagements can be competitive and require strong pitching and presentation skills
- Evaluating new technologies and strategies can be time-consuming and require a strong understanding of the search landscape
- The hybrid work arrangement may require candidates to be comfortable working both on-site and remotely
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to managing multiple teams and client portfolios, driving new business engagements, evaluating new technologies and strategies, and working in a hybrid work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other Director-level roles in Search Engine Marketing, with a focus on team management and client relationships
- However, this role may differ from other similar positions in its focus on driving performance improvements and evaluating new technologies and strategies
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to more senior roles within the company, such as Vice President or Chief Officer
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other Director-level roles in Search Engine Marketing, but may differ in its focus on driving performance improvements and evaluating new technologies and strategies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a Paid Search campaign strategy for a new client
- Evaluating and integrating a new bid optimization platform into the company's tech stack
- Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the search landscape and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the types of tasks and initiatives that the Director may be responsible for in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its team members?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexibility?
- How does the company measure and track performance improvements for its clients?
- What is the company's culture like, and how does it support its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the work environment, and to assess whether the position is a good fit for their skills, experience, and career goals.
📌 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 in Search Engine Marketing and team management
- Prepare specific examples of how you have driven performance improvements and managed teams in previous roles
- 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.
