Position Overview:
Marketwake is in search of a seasoned, innovative, and strategic Director of Paid Media to lead and elevate our Paid Media department. As a pivotal leader in our growing agency, this individual will oversee the performance, growth, and cohesion of the Paid Media team while also contributing directly to high-impact client accounts. This is a hybrid role that blends strategic leadership, team development, and hands-on campaign execution.The ideal candidate is an expert in digital advertising strategy across Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and emerging platforms - paired with a strong passion for mentoring and scaling high-performing teams.
If you're equal parts strategic thinker, tactical executor, and team leader, this role is for you.This role will report directly to the VP of Marketing and work cross-functionally with Account Management, Creative, and Analytics to drive exceptional client outcomes and scale Marketwake’s paid media service offering.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Management
- Own the vision and execution of Marketwake’s paid media department, driving consistent innovation, performance, and collaboration across channels.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Paid Media Managers and Channel Leads, fostering a culture of growth, accountability, and performance.
- Partner with agency leadership to define quarterly and annual goals for the Paid Media department, including revenue, retention, and team KPIs.
- Assist in team resourcing, recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluations to scale a high-functioning department.
Client Strategy & Oversight
- Serve as the senior strategic lead on key accounts, developing and communicating holistic paid media strategies that align with broader business objectives.
- Attend and lead key client presentations and check-ins as a strategic partner and paid media expert.
- Ensure all paid media efforts across Search, Social, etc. and are best-in-class and grounded in performance data.
Hands-On Execution
- Maintain a portion of platform work and “hands-on keys” time, especially for new business, key client launches, or high-stakes campaigns.
- Provide guidance on campaign architecture, budget allocation, creative testing, and data interpretation.
- Support the implementation of new tools, processes, or beta opportunities to keep our offering ahead of industry trends.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Account Management, Creative, and Strategy teams to develop integrated strategies that deliver measurable ROI.
- Lead cross-functional brainstorms and campaign audits, ensuring media strategy is aligned with messaging and creative direction.
Attributes:
- Visionary and proactive leader with strong business acumen and emotional intelligence
- Skilled problem-solver who can balance strategic depth with tactical execution
- Passionate about teaching, mentoring, and investing in others’ success
- Adaptable and comfortable leading in a fast-paced, agency environment
- Confident communicator with a client-first mindset
- Tech-savvy with curiosity about new platforms and marketing technology
- Approaches leadership with positivity, resilience, and a healthy sense of humor
Skills:
- Expert-level proficiency with Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and other paid platforms (LinkedIn, Microsoft Ads, TikTok, Programmatic, etc.)
- Strong experience with reporting platforms like Looker Studio, Google Analytics 4, and Google Tag Manager
- Proficient in media forecasting, budget management, and cross-channel strategy development
- Advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills for campaign analysis and decision-making
- Experience with team leadership, project management tools (Asana, etc.), and marketing tech integrations
- Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills to translate data into strategic recommendations
Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience in digital advertising, with 2+ years in a team leadership or director-level role
- Deep experience in both Paid Search and Paid Social required
- Agency experience strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field preferred
- Various Paid Media certifications are a plus
