Director, Paid Social and Search (Performance Media)

About the role

The Director, Paid Social and Search is a performance media leader responsible for setting the strategic vision and driving business impact across clients’ paid search and paid social programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop high-performing paid search and paid social teams, ensuring campaigns meet or exceed performance, financial, and quality goals
• Own paid search and paid social strategy across platforms, aligning activation and optimization to broader brand and business objectives
• Serve as a trusted senior advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, fostering strong, long-term relationships
• Define success frameworks, including KPIs, measurement approaches, testing methodologies, and optimization strategies across search and social
• Guide teams in applying advanced optimization techniques, platform automation, and AI-enabled tools with sound strategic judgment
• Champion the value of performance media by educating clients and internal teams on platform innovation, emerging capabilities, and industry best practices
• Deliver clear, compelling presentations that communicate strategy, insights, performance results, and forward-looking opportunities
• Own financial management for assigned accounts, including forecasting, staffing plans, and overall account health
• Partner closely with cross-channel leaders (analytics, programmatic, paid social, search, and broader media teams) to deliver integrated solutions
• Establish and reinforce best practices, quality assurance standards, and scalable processes across search and social operations
• Develop a deep understanding of clients’ businesses, categories, and objectives to proactively shape strategic recommendations
• Drive thought leadership on emerging trends, technologies, and responsible AI usage to enhance performance, insights, and operational efficiency
• Foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning across teams
• Coach, mentor, and develop talent through training, feedback, and performance management

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in performance marketing, paid search, paid social, or digital media with increasing responsibility
• 4+ years of people management experience, including leading managers and senior practitioners
• Proven experience driving results across brand and performance objectives using paid search and paid social
• Deep understanding of paid search and social platforms, optimization methodologies, and measurement frameworks
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights
• Executive-level presence with comfort presenting to and influencing senior client stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity while balancing strategic vision and operational detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, data analysis)

Additional Information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.