Associate Director, SEM

As a key leader within our agency, the Associate Director, SEM helps lead CMI/Compas offerings and provides thought leadership in the Paid Search space, both internally and externally. This role works closely with leadership and oversees a team charged with the development of SEM, Video and Contextual Marketing.  These plans will include SEM implementation and performance analysis.  Additionally, this role will help lead the development of appropriate plans designed to meet clients’ brand and marketing objectives while also identifying opportunities to pull in additional channel leads in the areas of SEO, Social Media and traditional media as needed.   

As part of a core leadership team, the Associate Director, SEM is responsible for building and maintaining strong external relationships with appropriate clients, vendors and agency partners in collaboration with his/her assigned teams.  Similarly, the Associate Director, SEM will establish key relationships with internal stakeholders across all applicable disciplines including Analytics, Media, Ad Ops, Client Finance, etc. The Associate Director, SEM, is deeply versed in the buying, execution, and subsequent evaluation of biddable-based media strategies, including interaction with Google, Microsoft, and other paid media partners.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Help lead development of SEM strategies and analyses for clients (e.g., target audience recommendations, timing/scheduling strategy, partner selection, etc.) across areas of SEM, YouTube Video, and Contextual Marketing
• Serve as a core contributor to client-focused strategic initiatives; articulating departmental and corporate views related to customer segmentation, media tactics, and execution
• Manage workflow of junior team members to ensure client deliverables are out on time
• Analyze performance data and direct supporting staff on recommendation best practices
• Partner with analytics and media teams to develop KPIs and measurement plans
• Lead Thought Leadership efforts by authoring and reviewing SEM related POVs, Case Studies and insights based on industry updates, trends and findings
• Represent the organization in public forums as a key leader for SEM 
• Partner with SEM Department Head and senior leadership on identifying and submitting team work for industry wide awards and recognition
• Serve as point person for senior client relationships, leveraging thought leadership and innovative points of view to strengthen client relationships
• Help guide process and procedure improvement within internal SEM team
• Assist in negotiating client contracts and pursuing/achieving beneficial pricing models as needed
• Vet and onboard new supplier partners to achieve client goals and strategies
• Interview, hire, develop and effectively grow high-caliber employees within CMI
• Work with direct reports and team to maintain accurate scoping projections and staff count
• Help lead assigned team to prioritize and delegate tasks as needed in the areas of account creation, QA, optimization, pacing, bid management, targeting, reporting, etc

REQUIREMENTS:  

• 5+ years experience managing Pay-Per-Click accounts (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Amazon)
• Strong web analytics background and project management skills
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to create pivot tables and perform v-lookups
• Proven experience managing a team of direct reports consisting of junior, senior and leadership staff
• Knowledge of Web Analytics software, such as Adobe Omniture, Google Analytics and bid management tools like Search Ads 360
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in marketing, business or any quantitative or analytical related fields
• Strong quantitative analysis skills
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Ability to create, grow and expand relationships with clients, vendors and internal stakeholders
• Demonstrable passion for learning new technologies
• Ability to make recommendations of statistically significant data sets
• Strong business and leadership skills to make independent decisions affecting the daily operations and management of campaigns
• Healthcare/Pharmaceutical background a plus
• Passion for working in a fast-growing healthcare media agency

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $70,000 to $140,000. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, please visit WPP Benefits for more details.