📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Managing Director, Paid Search
🔹 Company: Brainlabs
🔹 Location: On-site in New York City, New York | Denver, Colorado
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-11
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the expansion of Brainlabs’ Paid Search revenue
- Building a world-class Search proposition
- Hiring and utilizing the best people, processes, and technology
- Delivering results to clients and growing revenue
- Collaborating internally to set an industry-leading AI-first Paid Search GTM and strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic vision and the ability to build profitable, long-term, high-value relationships with clients, partners, and future talent.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage the P&L and grow revenue across the NAMER Paid Search practice
✅ Be a Paid Search thought leader, promoting Brainlabs through partnerships, events, marketing/PR, and case studies
✅ Manage the Paid Search Head of Practice and support building out in-market teams
✅ Collaborate internally to set an industry-leading AI-first Paid Search GTM and strategy for Brainlabs
✅ Focus on new business pitches and existing client revenue opportunities
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve travel to attend industry events, meet with clients, and collaborate with remote teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified
Experience: 10+ years of Paid Search experience, including leading teams and proven thought leadership
Required Skills:
- Highly commercial with demonstrable experience in managing a successful practice P&L and a profitable business unit
- Strong presentation, pitching, and selling capabilities on $1m+ clients
- Comfortable in a QBR, on stage, or writing a POV
- A natural problem solver and a confident, dynamic, engaging, and authentic communicator
- Have hired and managed teams and can create success through others
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with AI and machine learning technologies
- Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic agency environment
ASSUMPTION: A bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience may be required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000 USD (This range is inclusive of the low, average, and high salary for this role based on industry standards and the company's size. Final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Dynamic and collaborative work environment
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work as needed)
ASSUMPTION: Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks common to the advertising industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 2012
Company Description:
- Brainlabs is a High-Performance Media Agency, focused on delivering profitable and sustained business impact through data-driven and AI-enabled media strategies.
- The company recruits outstanding talent and organizes them into dedicated Industry teams centered around clients.
- Brainlabs uses real-time data about real people to craft strategies and build media plans based on insights, not pre-purchased inventory.
Company Specialties:
- PPC
- Google Analytics
- Programmatic
- Paid Social
- CRO
- SEO
- Google Marketing Platform
- Consultancy
- Tech
- Creative
- Data Science
- Data Strategy
- Influencer
- Media Strategy
- Media Planning
- Organic Social
- DOOH
- Retail Media
- TV & Audio
Company Website: http://www.brainlabsdigital.com
ASSUMPTION: Brainlabs is a fast-growing, independent, full-service media agency with a strong focus on technology and data-driven strategies.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive/Management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Product Officer
Work Arrangement: On-site with flexibility for remote work as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow the Paid Search practice and expand into new markets
- Opportunities for internal promotion and career advancement within the company
- Chance to work with and learn from industry experts and thought leaders
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site with remote flexibility
Office Location(s): New York City, New York | Denver, Colorado
Geographic Context:
- New York City: A major global hub for advertising, marketing, and media industries
- Denver: A growing tech and business hub with a strong job market
- Both locations offer vibrant cultural scenes, diverse communities, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic agency environment and able to thrive in a hybrid or remote work setting.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
- Skills interviews with team members to evaluate technical competencies
- Final interview with the hiring manager to discuss the role, company, and next steps
Key Assessment Areas:
- Commercial acumen and P&L management skills
- Presentation, pitching, and selling capabilities
- Thought leadership and industry knowledge
- Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
- Cultural fit and alignment with Brainlabs' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your thought leadership, such as blog posts, presentations, or case studies
- Research Brainlabs' culture, values, and recent projects to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company
ATS Keywords: Paid Search, P&L Management, Thought Leadership, Client Relationship Management, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Team Management, Business Development, Marketing, Collaboration, Communication, Strategic Vision, Sales Skills, Event Management, AI Strategy
ASSUMPTION: The application process may take several weeks, and follow-up communication is essential to ensure you remain engaged and informed about the status of your application.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Advertising
- AI and machine learning platforms (e.g., Cortex AI)
- Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Slack, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with AI and machine learning technologies may be beneficial but is not always required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- High-Performance: We strive to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve
- Data-Driven: We make decisions based on data and insights
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals
- Innovative: We embrace change and seek new ways to solve problems
- Respectful: We treat everyone with kindness, respect, and fairness
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Innovative and adaptable
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Brainlabs' values in your daily work?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and new technologies in Paid Search?
- How do you balance short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals?
ASSUMPTION: Brainlabs values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team remotely and ensuring consistent performance across multiple locations
- Balancing the demands of client work with internal projects and strategic initiatives
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving Paid Search landscape
- Navigating a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable agency environment
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be adaptable, resilient, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on Paid Search and AI-driven strategies, setting it apart from other management roles in the advertising industry
- Brainlabs' emphasis on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement differentiates it from more traditional advertising agencies
- Career progression in this role may involve expanding into new markets or taking on additional responsibilities within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Paid Search at a fast-growing, innovative media agency.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive AI-driven Paid Search strategy for a major retail client
- Leading a team to optimize and scale a high-performing Paid Search campaign for an e-commerce client
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify new opportunities for Paid Search growth within a specific vertical
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and collaborative nature of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Brainlabs support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Brainlabs approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other teams and departments within the company?
- How does Brainlabs measure and track the success of its Paid Search campaigns and strategies?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.
📌 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 skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your thought leadership, such as blog posts, presentations, or case studies
- Research Brainlabs' culture, values, and recent projects to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
