Paid Media Director at Marketwake

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