Director of Paid Media

About the role

ION is looking for a Director of Paid Media to own paid-media strategy and performance end-to-end across HIP and Neon Canvas: Google Ads (Search, Performance Max), Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and retargeting, for a portfolio of orthodontic and dental lead-generation partners. This is a leadership role focused on setting standards, strategy, and innovation rather than hands-on media buying. You will lead Team Leads, unify two brands into a single operating standard, and drive growth, margin, and client retention.

Responsibilities

• Set the paid-media strategy, playbook, and Google/Meta channel mix for HIP and Neon Canvas.
• Own KPI attainment (ROAS, CPL, CTR by vertical), pacing, and budget governance across both brands.
• Drive one set of standards, tooling, ad-ops processes, and QA across HIP and Neon Canvas.
• Own escalations, QBRs, and strategy for big partners and new-logo pursuits.
• Own the service line's P&L (revenue and margin), pricing and packaging, utilization and capacity, and growth and expansion.
• Run pre-sales scoping and support sales as the function's expert on paid pitches and proposals.
• Own org design, leveling and career paths, comp-band input, succession and bench planning, and the function's onboarding and L&D.
• Manage the function's vendors, contracts, and SLAs; own its budget; own risk, compliance, and brand safety at scale.
• Track emerging ad surfaces and formats (e.g., ChatGPT ads, Apple Maps ads, AI creative, new bidding and automation) and define adoption strategies ahead of competitors.
• Lead AI enablement across the paid teams, tools, workflows, and training, collaborating with the Sr. Director of Operations for company-wide direction.
• Run 1:1s with each Team Lead for coaching, scorecard review, and unblocking; personally manage a handful of at-risk or sliding partners while leads handle the rest.

Requirements

• 2+ years as a Director of Paid Media or equivalent at an agency of similar size and scope, managing 500+ client accounts.
• Direct experience unifying paid media across two brands or logos under one umbrella.
• 6+ years in paid media across Google Ads (Search, Performance Max) and Meta, including lead-generation for local service businesses; orthodontic or dental experience is a strong plus.
• 2+ years leading other managers, not only individual specialists.
• Deep platform mastery and strong analytics and experimentation skills.
• Proven change-management ability and comfort unifying two brands or teams.
• Commercial literacy, including delivery margin, utilization, and growth, and experience partnering with sales.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• You've run a paid-media function at a similar-size agency, managing 500-plus client accounts, and can hit the ground running from day one.
• You've personally led paid media across two brands or logos operating under one umbrella, and can speak to how you unified standards, tooling, and reporting.
• You're a leader of leaders, not just a leader of specialists; you know how to hire, level, coach, and hold other managers accountable.
• You think in scorecards, margin, and pacing, and can spot portfolio risks before they result in churn.
• You're commercially literate; P&L, utilization, and growth are familiar concepts in how you operate.
• You're comfortable engaging with leadership, sales, and big partners, delivering QBRs or handling escalations with confidence.
• You're energized by innovation, including new ad platforms, formats, and AI tools.
• You hold your Team Leads to a high standard because you hold yourself to one.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• PTO eligibility after 90 days of hire (10 vacation days the first year of service, unlimited PTO starting year two, flexible partial days, and sick/personal days)
• Remote position (U.S.-based only)

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 8 am–5 pm CST