Job Title

Associate Director, Paid Search

Job Description

The Associate Director, Paid Search is responsible for leading the Paid Search team and overseeing the strategy, execution, and optimization of all SEM campaigns. This role manages the end-to-end campaign process, including setup, activation, performance monitoring, and ongoing optimization. The Associate Director also cultivates strong relationships with platform partners and stays informed on emerging product updates, industry trends, and best practices to ensure the team’s offerings remain innovative, competitive, and aligned with client goals.

Location

Hybrid 3x a week (Stamford). In-office with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

Team

D/Cipher is People Inc.’s in‑house media platform and activation team, fueled by the rich user engagement data of People Inc., the nation’s largest publisher. D/Cipher helps advertisers make informed media buying decisions on and off People Inc. content. The Paid Search team is responsible for the execution, trafficking, and quality assurance of all paid search campaigns. The team works cross‑functionally with sales teams, clients, creative agencies, and third‑party vendors.

Key Accountabilities

Manage a team of paid media specialists to support execution and troubleshooting of search and social campaigns (50%). Create and implement new procedures to streamline paid media processes.

Manage platform relationships, product updates, and operational processes (20%).

Manage day‑to‑day search marketing and social campaigns across multiple platforms, including Google and Bing (10%). Manage bids and budgets across campaign flights to ensure cost efficiency and fulfillment. Compile keyword lists and generate/edit ad copy and ad groups.

Perform quality control on trafficking creative assets and ad tags using third‑party ad server tools (10%).

Leverage technology platforms to provide specialized reporting and strategic recommendations (10%). Stay current on platform changes, new channels, competitive landscape, and industry best practices. Collaborate across digital departments to strategically position paid search within the broader media mix and define tactical plans to support client needs.

All Other Duties As Assigned

All other duties as assigned by management.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent relevant work experience).

Experience: Minimum 5–6 years of proven experience in paid search, with demonstrated success collaborating with cross‑functional teams to develop integrated digital strategies.

Minimum 3+ years of experience in people management.

Outstanding leadership skills suited to a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.

Experience coaching and leading others and implementing procedures to streamline internal processes.

Strong proficiency working with industry tools including Google Ads, Bing Ads, and Google Analytics.

Experience in pixel/tag implementation for campaign setup, attribution and troubleshooting.

Up to date with the latest trends and best practices in paid search.

Self‑driven multitasker comfortable working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong professionalism, and exceptional attention to detail.

Polished presence and presentation skills.

Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and time management skills.

Travel Required

Less than 10%.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of People Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests can be made by emailing <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.

Pay Range

Salary: Connecticut: $100,000.00 – $120,000.00.

Benefits

People Inc. provides to employees (and their eligible family members) a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, unlimited paid time off, adoption or surrogate assistance, donation matching, tuition reimbursement, basic life insurance, basic accidental death &disability, supplemental life insurance, supplemental accident insurance, commuter benefits, short‑term and long‑term disability, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family care benefits, a generous 401K savings plan with a company match program, 10‑12 paid holidays annually, and generous paid parental leave. We also offer voluntary benefits such as pet insurance, accident, critical and hospital indemnity health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance.

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