Associate Director, Paid Search

Chicago, IL (On-site)

$100K/yr – $125K/yrSenior Level7+ years expFull time

Posted 12 days ago

Job Summary

Own paid search strategy and lead campaigns end to end, guiding client workstreams from strategy and client counsel through hands-on optimization and performance analysis across major search platforms.

Lead strategy and client counsel for paid search
Direct hands-on campaign management across Google and Microsoft ecosystems
Translate objectives into actionable testing, measurement, and optimization plans

Job Description

Responsibilities

Lead Strategy and Client Counsel
Own Paid Search strategy and serve as the senior Search lead across assigned accounts
Translate client objectives and business challenges into actionable campaign, investment, testing, and measurement strategies
Lead client discussions, presentations, performance reviews, and strategic planning sessions
Communicate complex platform and industry changes in clear terms, including their implications for client media strategies
Bring an independent agency perspective to platform recommendations, evaluating opportunities through the client’s business and brand objectives
Identify opportunities to improve performance, expand programs, and strengthen client relationships
Own Hands-On Campaign Management
Personally build, manage, optimize, and troubleshoot campaigns across Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and other relevant platforms
Manage Search, Performance Max, YouTube, Demand Gen, and other applicable Google ecosystem campaigns

Requirements

7+ years of progressive, hands-on Paid Search experience, preferably within an agency environment
Current, hands-on expertise in Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, and Search Ads 360 or a comparable management platform
Demonstrated experience personally building, managing, and optimizing complex campaigns and significant media budgets
Deep knowledge of Search, Performance Max, automated bidding, audience signals, first-party data, and AI-powered formats
Ability to develop a strong Paid Search strategy and translate it into accurate platform execution
Experience leading client relationships and presenting strategies, performance findings, and recommendations to senior stakeholders
Strong understanding of conversion measurement, GA4, enhanced conversions, offline conversion imports, attribution, and lead quality
Ability to develop forecasts, budget recommendations, testing roadmaps, and actionable performance analyses
Experience connecting platform performance to client business outcomes
Strong financial stewardship across budgets, pacing, forecasting, and billing

Laughlin Constable

We Create Brand Experiences That MAKE IT PERSONAL.Founded in 1976, we are a fiercely independent, full-service brand experiences agency with offices in Milwaukee and Chicago. We help brands at a point-of-inflection grow and thrive at the intersection of Strategic Intelligence, Brand Creativity, Human Context and Connected Experiences. In other words, we create brand experiences that MAKE IT PERSONAL. A simple yet powerful statement that happens to combine our HOW and our WHY. It reflects our special craft of building Personal Experience Brands that inspire unconditional brand devotion and action. And it reflects our agency values to lead with our hearts, always be resilient, and create meaningful change through our work.Our Unique Way of Working.Our model is centered around a thoughtful fusion of crafts, bringing together a versatile mix of thinkers and makers to create modern work that connects with people. We Build Personal Experience Brands.We help brands at a point-of-inflection grow and thrive at the intersection of Strategic Intelligence, Brand Creativity, Human Context and Connected Experiences.Strategic IntelligenceMaking it personal by focusing your business on solving the right problems.•Business & Brand Strategy•Communications Strategy•Marketing TransformationBrand CreativityMaking it personal by creating stories that move hearts, minds, feet and culture.•Campaign Development•Brand Design•HIVE Production StudioHuman ContextMaking it personal with relevant and meaningful moments that drive action.•Media Strategy & Activation•Data Strategy & Analytics•LC Public RelationsConnected ExperiencesMaking it personal by making your brand more useful to every individual.•Experience Design•Content Strategy & Creation•Technology Development

Founded in 1976

Chicago, Illinois, USA

160 employees (57 in marketing)

www.laughlin.com