Overview

The Director, Paid Social and Search is a performance media leader responsible for setting the strategic vision and driving business impact across clients’ paid search and paid social programs. This role owns end‑to‑end strategy, performance, and financial stewardship across search and social, while serving as a client advisor and people leader. You will guide teams through an evolving performance media landscape—shaping innovation, championing best practices, and ensuring search and social are fully integrated into holistic media strategies. This role balances strategic leadership, operational excellence, talent development, and accountability for business results.

Responsibilities

Lead, motivate, and develop high‑performing paid search and paid social teams, ensuring campaigns meet or exceed performance, financial, and quality goals

Own paid search and paid social strategy across platforms, aligning activation and optimization to broader brand and business objectives

Serve as a trusted senior advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, fostering strong, long‑term relationships

Define success frameworks, including KPIs, measurement approaches, testing methodologies, and optimization strategies across search and social

Guide teams in applying advanced optimization techniques, platform automation, and AI‑enabled tools with sound strategic judgment

Champion the value of performance media by educating clients and internal teams on platform innovation, emerging capabilities, and industry best practices

Deliver clear, compelling presentations that communicate strategy, insights, performance results, and forward‑looking opportunities

Own financial management for assigned accounts, including forecasting, staffing plans, and overall account health

Partner closely with cross‑channel leaders (analytics, programmatic, paid social, search, and broader media teams) to deliver integrated solutions

Establish and reinforce best practices, quality assurance standards, and scalable processes across search and social operations

Develop a deep understanding of clients’ businesses, categories, and objectives to proactively shape strategic recommendations

Drive thought leadership on emerging trends, technologies, and responsible AI usage to enhance performance, insights, and operational efficiency

Foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning across teams

Coach, mentor, and develop talent through training, feedback, and performance management

Qualifications

7+ years of experience in performance marketing, paid search, paid social, or digital media with increasing responsibility

4+ years of people management experience, including leading managers and senior practitioners

Proven experience driving results across brand and performance objectives using paid search and paid social

Deep understanding of paid search and social platforms, optimization methodologies, and measurement frameworks

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights

Executive‑level presence with comfort presenting to and influencing senior client stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity while balancing strategic vision and operational detail

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, data analysis)

Bachelor’s degree preferred

EEO Statement

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Benefits

Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more

Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility

Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption

Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance

Tuition Assistance

Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more

Matching Gifts programs

Flexible working arrangements

’Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere; Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)

Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

Compensation

Compensation Range: $121,315.00 – $174,300.00 Annually. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

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