Saatchi & Saatchi

Associate Director, Search

Saatchi & Saatchi$97K — $155K *
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or advertising preferred.
  • 4+ years in Search Engine Marketing account management, either client or agency side.
  • 2-4 years leading and managing a paid search specialist team.
  • Experience with large-scale Google Ads and Apple Search Ads campaigns.
  • Hands-on with AI Max and Performance Max campaigns.
  • Familiar with bid management tools like Search Ads 360.
  • Strong data analysis skills, adept at identifying optimization opportunities.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, preferably using tools like Asana.

Responsibilities

  • Interface with Strategy, Investment, and Analytics for holistic media planning.
  • Keep senior management informed of client opportunities and potential risks.
  • Develop and foster key client relationships to drive marketing initiatives.
  • Understand client goals and international market dynamics thoroughly.
  • Lead performance and strategy presentations for clients.
  • Manage global market coordination and promotional support effectively.
  • Cultivate a collaborative team culture and lead team performance marketing initiatives.
  • Assist with hiring, mentoring, and performance evaluations of team members.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Disability benefits and 401K plan participation.
  • Parental and family care leave policies.
  • Tuition reimbursement for further education.
  • Flexible time off to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Overview

The Associate Director, Search is responsible for leading the dedicated paid search execution team for a premier global entertainment and audio streaming platform, driving growth, innovation, retention and satisfaction for this dynamic account. In this role, you will manage and direct a talented team of Campaign Managers (both onshore and offshore). Proven account management and team leadership experience are essential, along with a deep passion for digital culture, app marketing, and cutting-edge Paid Search strategies.

Responsibilities

  • Interfaces with Strategy, Investment, & Analytics teams to provide holistic media plans, share ideas, communicate service offerings, and to identify and deliver innovative search solutions.
  • Keeps VP/Director and Search Practice lead apprised of key client opportunities, potential risks and other key nuances which affect the health of the business.
  • Develops and fosters account relationships to champion initiatives that drive smart marketing decisions across digital channels.
  • Deeply understands the client's goals, diverse international markets, expectations of the agency, and fast-evolving business needs.
  • Attends client meetings on ongoing basis, interface as needed with executive level and middle management level on client side during meetings and presentations.
  • Independently leads performance and strategy presentations, interfacing confidently with both middle management and executive-level clients.
  • Leads recommendations on improving performance, test & learn agendas, optimization opportunities, and prioritization needed to deliver upon goals.
  • Takes ownership of complex global market coordination, meticulously managing fast-changing promotional support with flawless execution and minimal oversight.
  • Embraces and encourages a culture based on team work, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity.
  • Motivates, leads, and manages internal teams, setting expectations for performance marketing thought leadership.
  • Drives adoption of stated account management best practices through example setting, positive reinforcement and behavioral correction.
  • Assists in interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring, developing, and evaluating team members.
  • Conducts performance reviews and career path plans for direct reports.
  • Facilitates the development and documentation of best practices to improve operational efficiencies within the team and the group.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree, concentration in business, marketing, or advertising preferred.
  • 4+ years of account management experience in Search Engine Marketing; client side or agency side preferred
  • 2-4 years of demonstrated success in managing and leading a team of paid search specialists.
  • Proven experience managing large-scale campaigns on Google Ads and Apple Search Ads. Deep knowledge of App campaigns and mobile acquisition is a plus.
  • Hands-on experience with AI Max and Performance Max campaigns preferred.
  • Experience with bid management tools like Search Ads 360.
  • Ability to develop and implement comprehensive paid search strategies aligned with client goals.
  • Exceptional data analysis skills; comfortable working with complex KPIs, interpreting data trends, and making quick, sound optimization decisions based on those insights.
  • Ability to set, track, and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure campaign success.
  • Top-tier organizational and project management skills. Historical experience with tools like Asana is highly preferred to keep fast-moving promotional campaigns on track.
  • High proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint), paired with extensive, hands-on knowledge of Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)
  • A proactive self-starter with high attention to detail and the ability to move at an agile pace to match a fast-growing industry rhythm.
  • Proficient in creating and presenting PowerPoint slides, ensuring that complex information is conveyed in an engaging and understandable manner.

Additional information

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

Compensation Range: $97,000 - $ 127,000. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 8/1/2026.

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About Saatchi & Saatchi

Saatchi & Saatchi is a global advertising agency headquartered in New York City. The company was founded in London in 1970 by brothers Maurice and Charles Saatchi and is now part of the Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and public relations company. Saatchi & Saatchi has over 6,000 employees in 114 countries and provides a range of advertising and marketing services to clients in various industries, including automotive, consumer goods, financial services, and telecommunications. The company is known for its creative and innovative advertising campaigns, including the iconic 'Nothing is Impossible' campaign for Toyota. Saatchi & Saatchi has won numerous awards for its work, including Cannes Lions, Clios, and Effies.
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6,000 employees
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