Associate Director, Performance Marketing

We're partnering with a high-growth performance marketing agency to find an Associate Director of Paid Media — a senior player-coach who thrives at the intersection of strategy, client leadership, and hands-on execution. This agency builds and runs campaigns for ambitious DTC and ecommerce brands, with a culture that values experimentation, speed, and measurable impact.

Why This Role

• Senior seat with real ownership — you're not just executing, you're shaping strategy
• Work with innovative DTC brands across categories
• Lead and grow a talented media team
• Agency environment that rewards results

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-channel paid media strategy and planning across a portfolio of DTC/ecommerce accounts
• Act as a senior client partner — owning digital marketing strategy, growth roadmaps, and performance storytelling
• Translate client objectives into structured frameworks, testing agendas, and media mix models
• Oversee campaign execution and optimization across Meta, Google, TikTok, and emerging channels
• Stay hands-on in-platform for high-priority launches, scaling phases, and complex tests
• Manage and mentor a team of Media Managers and Strategists — providing coaching, feedback, and development
• Serve as a second layer of leadership, ensuring account health, best practices, and elevated team standards
• Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and team growth initiatives
• Evaluate new platforms, partners, and tools to keep the media practice ahead of the curve
• Support new business efforts with pitch strategy, forecasting, and client-facing presentations

Requirements

• 4+ years of paid media experience, with a strong preference for agency background
• Proven track record owning client strategy and scaling performance across Meta, Google, and TikTok
• Experience managing and developing junior to mid-level media buyers
• Strong analytical skills — you distill performance data into clear, actionable strategies
• Excellent communicator and presenter; confident with senior client stakeholders
• Operator mindset — willing to roll up your sleeves and jump in-platform, while also capable of stepping back to guide big-picture strategy
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Must-Have

Direct experience managing paid media for DTC and/or ecommerce clients is required. Candidates without this background will not be considered.