Associate Director, Paid Search

About the Role

We are hiring for our Paid Media team, looking for an Associate Director, Paid Search: a senior performance leader who combines deep mastery of paid search advertising systems with strategic vision, team leadership, and executive-level client management. This is not just a tactical execution role; it demands the ability to architect full-funnel paid search strategies across Google, YouTube, Bing, App Install, and the emerging AI search ecosystem (including platforms like Kontext, Koah, Perplexity, Claude, and OpenAI, some of which don't have ad services yet), lead a team of practitioners, and drive measurable revenue outcomes across a portfolio of high-growth brands.

The ideal candidate is obsessed with paid search advertising and is a recognized expert in search buying behavior, with a proven track record of selling products through paid search, scaling ad accounts well beyond $1M USD per month, building and mentoring high-performing teams, and serving as a trusted strategic advisor to senior client stakeholders. You live and breathe ads manager, you're curious about where AI search is heading, and you think in systems, not campaigns. You hold yourself accountable to the business outcomes that matter.

You'll report to the Managing Director of the department and serve as a senior leader within the Paid Media practice, owning the strategy, performance, and growth of a portfolio of key accounts. You'll collaborate closely with Creative, Creator, Analytics, Brand, and Client Strategy teams, and will be responsible for developing the next generation of paid search talent at Darkroom.

This is a fast-paced, high-accountability environment designed for marketers who are ambitious, curious, and ready to grow. You'll gain hands-on experience in a broad range of platforms and verticals, while developing the skills needed to lead performance strategies end-to-end.

Darkroom is a career incubator for ambitious talent looking to operate at the intersection of business, design, and innovation.

What you'll do:

• Own and drive the overarching paid search strategy across a portfolio of high-growth U.S. brands, ensuring alignment between media investment, search demand, creative output, and business objectives.
• Serve as the point of contact for senior client stakeholders, presenting quarterly business reviews, growth roadmaps, and performance forecasts to CMOs and marketing leadership.
• Partner with the Managing Director to define team OKRs, capacity planning, and service delivery standards across the Paid Search practice.
• Champion Darkroom's paid search point of view, staying ahead of auction dynamics, bidding and algorithm changes, and the evolution of AI search products to inform both client strategy and internal best practices.
• Lead the development of annual and quarterly paid search plans, including budget allocation, channel mix across traditional search, YouTube, and AI search, keyword and audience strategy, and creative roadmaps.
• Oversee campaign architecture, bidding strategy, optimization frameworks, and testing methodologies across key paid media accounts with aggregate monthly spends ranging from $500K to $5M+.
• Drive best-in-class performance across Google, YouTube, Bing, App Install, and emerging AI search platforms (Koah, Kontext, and others as they launch ad products), with deep mastery of the paid search auction, bid systems, and market dynamics to convert customers at the lowest possible cost for the brand.
• Set the standard for real-time, proactive, and reactionary ad-buying decisions in response to up-or-down trends on ad platforms, staying close enough to the accounts to lead by example.
• Pioneer innovative paid search strategies that blend traditional search, YouTube, and emerging AI search, piloting new platforms as AI search products evolve.
• Establish and enforce rigorous KPI frameworks (CPA, CAC, iROAS, nCAC, MER, aMER, CTR, and CPM), ensuring data-driven decision-making at every level.
• Architect and pressure-test attribution models in partnership with Analytics, using platform ad managers, third-party reporting tools, and AI to give clients a clear and accurate view of cross-channel performance.
• Proactively identify growth opportunities through brand and website audits, competitive intelligence, and new acquisition audience targeting, translating insights into actionable channel strategies.
• Ensure new customer acquisition stays healthy within the broader e-commerce equation, owning the full funnel from offer to ad to landing page to conversion.
• Develop quarterly strategies and forecasts based on success metrics, ad spend, YoY performance, and projections that ladder into each client's broader growth plan.
• Serve as the senior creative strategist on accounts, guiding clients and internal creative teams on ad copy, landing page alignment, short-form video creative for YouTube, and creative testing frameworks.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of Paid Search Managers and Specialists, setting clear performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability and craft.
• Conduct structured performance reviews and build individualized growth plans for direct reports.
• Establish internal quality standards for campaign builds, reporting, and client deliverables, and ensure consistent adherence across the team.
• Act as an escalation point for complex performance challenges and client issues, providing senior-level guidance and resolution.

What you'll need to be successful:

• 7+ years of paid media advertising experience, with at least 5+ years specializing in Paid Search and Google in particular.
• 5+ years managing paid search advertising for high-growth consumer brands with aggregate monthly spends of $1M+ across a portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a team of 3+ paid media practitioners in a fast-paced agency or in-house environment.
• Proven track record of scaling Google ad accounts beyond $1M USD/month while maintaining or improving efficiency metrics.
• Executive-level client management skills: ability to build trust with CMOs and senior marketing leaders, present strategic recommendations with confidence, and navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Expert-level command of Google Ads and deep familiarity with YouTube, Microsoft Advertising (Bing), and the emerging AI search ad ecosystem.
• Mastery of the e-commerce marketing funnel, from offer to ad to landing page to conversion.
• Mastery of e-commerce performance metrics (CPA, CAC, iROAS, nCAC, MER, aMER, CTR, CPM) and the ability to translate these into clear client-facing narratives.
• Expertise in developing, testing, and optimizing ad copy and short-form video creative, from concept briefing to performance analysis.
• Strong background in data-derived decision-making, budget forecasting, and spend projection modeling.
• Comfort engaging with e-commerce P&Ls and financial performance metrics at the business level.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex data into compelling insights for both internal teams and senior client stakeholders.

What It's Like to Work at Darkroom

Darkroom is not a typical agency. We are looking for A players who want to build something great. We move fast, think deeply, and expect every team member to bring insight and rigor to everything they touch. We hold a high bar for performance, creativity, and ownership - but we also support each other relentlessly. No egos, no red tape - just world-class talent building something remarkable.

We believe in autonomy with accountability, truth over comfort, and outcomes over optics.

• Unlimited PTO + US holidays: Rebooting is part of the work. Take the time you need to stay sharp.
• Remote-First Culture: Many roles are fully remote. Employees based in or near our New York or Lisbon HQs are expected to work hybrid with weekly in-office time. Hub locations include Brazil and Spain.
• Health & Wellness: Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Finances, growth, and retirement: Darkroom offers a robust 401(k) program with company match and profit-sharing opportunities to help you save and grow as the company grows.
• Parental Leave: Flexible parental leave to support new parents during this important transition.
• Growth: Our interdisciplinary model gives every Darkroomer exposure far beyond their core role. Grow your skills, expand your influence, and stay at the forefront of the industry.

Compensation:

The base salary range for this role is $120,000 per year. This range represents the anticipated minimum and maximum for this position and applies to candidates based in New York, including New York City, in compliance with the New York State Pay Transparency Law and the New York City Salary Transparency Law. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on experience, skills, and qualifications. This role is also eligible for performance-based compensation. A summary of benefits is listed above.