Director of Paid Search, EDU
The Role
We’re looking for a strategic, data-driven Director of Paid Search to support a Higher Education division of our search team. You’ll be responsible for shaping paid search strategy across EDU clients, ensuring best-in-class execution, and driving measurable business outcomes.
This role requires a balance of strategic vision and hands-on management. You’ll be responsible for guiding client strategy, overseeing performance, and ensuring flawless execution of paid search campaigns from end to end.
Client Strategy & Leadership
- Translate client business goals into full-funnel search strategies across Google and Microsoft Ads
- Lead account planning including budget allocation, forecasting, audience strategy, and testing roadmaps
- Identify performance opportunities and risks, proactively recommending optimizations and growth strategies
- Serve as a strategic lead in client conversations, QBRs, and performance reviews
Performance Ownership
- Oversee end-to-end execution of paid search campaigns, including account setup, budget pacing, optimization, and reporting
- Accountable for enrollment performance outcomes and KPIs such as CPL, CPE, CPS, and overall efficiency
- Establish testing frameworks and innovation pipelines to continuously improve results
- Oversee account structure, bidding strategies, audience layering, and automation approaches
- Ensure consistent use of measurement best practices, attribution models, and conversion tracking
- Drive adoption of new betas, AI-driven features, and automation tools
Analysis & Reporting
- Partner with analytics and ops teams to improve reporting, automation, and scalability
- Monitor industry trends, platform changes, and competitive landscape
- Deliver clear, data-driven performance reports and insights to clients, diving into the “why” behind the data
- Recommend testing strategies, budget allocation shifts, and bid strategy adjustments based on performance trends
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of reporting
Qualifications
- 8-12+ years of relevant paid search experience
- Hands-on experience managing monthly budgets of $500k+
- Experience optimizing to full funnel outcomes for EDU clients, such as CPE and CPS
- Skai experience preferred but not required
- Google Ads Certifications a plus
BENEFITS & PERKS
- Unlimited PTO
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Employee Equity
- Employee Discounts, Virtual Wellness Classes, and Pet Insurance
- And more!
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this role is $120,000-$140,000, depending on location and experience.
PEOPLE & CULTURE AT ZETA
Zeta considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Zeta discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
We’re committed to building a workplace culture of trust and belonging, so everyone feels invited to bring their whole selves to work. We provide a forum for employees to celebrate, support and advocate for one another. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion here: https://zetaglobal.com/blog/a-look-into-zetas-ergs/
ZETA IN THE NEWS!
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