Associate Director, Search & Discovery

About the role

Kelly Scott Madison—KSM is seeking an Associate Director to join our Digital Investment practice. This role focuses on reshaping how we approach discovery across the full consumer journey, with a strong emphasis on paid search and performance marketing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead in the Digital Investment practice, co-owning the direction, health, and momentum of the discipline alongside practice leadership
• Define and lead the agency's approach to discovery; connecting paid search to the broader ecosystem of channels including paid social, AI, and emerging platforms
• Build and lead the agency’s approach to GEO and AEO, ensuring clients are visible and cited across the growing ecosystem of AI
• Proactively identify growth opportunities within existing accounts; new capabilities, expanded scope, and strategic recommendations clients didn’t know to ask for
• Support new business pitches with a hunter’s mindset; bringing advanced search expertise and a unique discovery narrative to win and onboard new clients

Requirements

• 7-10+ years in digital media investment with deep expertise in paid search
• Performance and lead driven marketing experience required
• Fluency in paid search platforms: Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SA360, CM360; familiarity with AI search (GEO, AEO) a strong differentiator
• Experience in ecommerce and product feed management; including shopping campaigns & feed optimization and strategy
• Proven experience in practice leadership, operating at the intersection of client growth, team development, and discipline strategy

Qualifications

• Known for ownership; you take initiative, follow through, and raise the bar
• Decisive and accountable; you make the call, own the outcome, and keep momentum
• A confident communicator; articulate and engaging
• A hunter who is energized by growth and never satisfied with the status quo
• Dedicated to developing and coaching talent through direct feedback
• Flexible and unflustered; you adapt well to change and pivot with ease

Skills

• Strategic thinking and forward movement
• Leadership and decision-making
• Communication and collaboration
• Growth mindset and adaptability
• Talent development and coaching
• Change management and flexibility

Benefits

• Talent Enablement: Career pathing, integrated learning ecosystem, mentorship, and employee recognition
• Financial: Competitive compensation, 401(k) with company match, pre-tax programs, referral rewards, and a remote work reimbursement
• Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision, pet, and life), onsite fitness center covered 100%, discounted membership rates at partner gyms and access to virtual fitness classes, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and curated opportunities to nurture your breaktime
• Balance: Personalized Paid Time Off (i.e., “Unlimited PTO”), remote work flexibility, paid parental leave (maternity, paternity, and adoption), and a variety of Employee Resource Groups
• Giving Back: Volunteer opportunities and corporate donation matching through KSM Cares Outreach, our Corporate Social Responsibility program