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Director, Paid Search

Dentsu
New York Posted Nov 10, 2026
Full-time

About this role

Job Title: Director, Paid Search

Job Description:

dentsu Media is looking for an exceptional Director, Paid Search to lead our award-winning paid search team. Overall, this job is for someone who loves search, gets excited about seeing their team succeed, enjoys problem solving, and seeks out ways to inspire, foster growth and build genuine partnerships with the team and clients. The leader in this role is responsible for providing strategic direction for their assigned teams and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of their client’s business, the industry, and competitive landscape. They should be a talented media trailblazer with a proven track record of owning paid search strategy and execution from end-to-end, excels at improving operational efficiencies and team workflow, skilled at developing team members and capable of creating positive, meaningful change. The Director, Paid Search must be both strategic and hands on, have a strong project management sensibility and be engaged and tenacious about delivering outstanding media ideas and results. This high visibility role is perfect for those with a passion for innovation, collaboration and outstanding team management.

Key Responsibilities

  • Owns media strategy and client relationship. Serves as a trusted adviser and subject matter expert (SME) both internally and externally. Translates client business objectives into Media strategies

  • Contributes to the agency's long held leadership position within the industry via new business wins and award-winning case studies.

  • Responsible for elevating the paid search practice (e.g., sharing advanced tactics with other teams, presenting at cross-office meetings, mentoring junior employees not on your direct team) and operational standards, best practices, thought leadership, and the development of POVs.

  • Contributes to the agency's long held leadership position within the industry via new business wins and award-winning case studies.

  • Manages and develops direct reports and is accountable for complete team development; includes driving our culture of Appreciation, Accountability, Ingenuity, and Inclusivity.

  • Spearhead innovation for high profile, established client roster to drive their business forward.

  • Actively demonstrate thought leadership to guide and advise clients, vet opportunities, and devise arguments and selling strategies.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional dentsu teams, balancing the needs of the client with the needs of the team/agency to ensure a “one team” mentality.

  • Remain close enough to daily operations to be able to assist when junior team members need help and/or guidance.

  • Able to lead and nurture team growth through effective mentorship. Influence behavior by providing detailed instruction, supporting rationale, and ongoing feedback that is tailored to the individual.

Qualifications

  • 9+ years of digital and paid search experience, leading teams and communicating with clients

  • Minimum of 3+ years managing a team of employees

  • Deep expertise in SEM, as well as a strong understanding of other channels including product listing ads/shopping, programmatic, display, paid social, and others.

  • Able to navigate and speak to the complexities of the digital media landscape across disciplines, without necessarily needing to be an expert in each discipline.

  • Is relied upon to confidently and proactively speak to the agency’s value and when to apply various services or solutions.

  • Drives thought leadership, POVs, crafts presentations and inspires a culture of ingenuity

  • Experience across multiple verticals with the ability to think strategically and make innovative recommendations that drive client goals

  • Ability to nurture and retain client and employee relationships

  • Proactive problem-solving skills starting from a position of optimism

  • Ability to analyze complex issues and to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs and recommendations to solve client challenges

  • High levels of integrity, autonomy, and self-motivation

  • Persuasive storyteller and presenter. Must be comfortable developing and delivering strategic presentations which resonate with all audiences, and able to think on one’s feet.

  • Generates client confidence as a trusted advisor by actively listening and understanding challenges and or roadblocks and speaking with authority on how we will address them.

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Additional Information:

  • The annual salary range for this position is 125K-135K. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance

  • 401k

  • Flexible paid time off

  • At least 15 paid holidays per year

  • Paid sick and safe leave, and

  • Paid parental leave

  • Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Location

New York

Brand:

Iprospect

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please contact the appropriate team for assistance. We are here to support you.

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