Senior Director, Paid Search

Darkroom

. Own the multi-year vision, strategy, and performance of Darkroom’s Paid Search practice across traditional search, Shopping, YouTube, and AI search .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeUnited StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in Paid Search strategy and execution, with a strong focus on Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. Proven ability to lead teams, manage P&L, and drive revenue growth while maintaining high client retention and performance standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Paid Media Advertising ExperienceGoogle Ads ExpertiseTeam LeadershipP&L ManagementE-Commerce Performance Metrics

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Paid Search StrategyGoogle AdsMicrosoft AdvertisingE-Commerce Marketing FunnelIncrementality TestingBudget ForecastingPerformance MaxYouTube AdvertisingData-Derived Decision-MakingCampaign Optimization

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication SkillsExecutive PresenceCoaching and Mentoring

Tools & Technologies

Google AdsMicrosoft AdvertisingMerchant CenterAI Search Tools

Industry Keywords

Paid SearchClient RetentionAccount GrowthPerformance MetricsAgency Environment

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the multi-year vision, strategy, and performance of Darkroom’s Paid Search practice across traditional search, Shopping, YouTube, and AI search
Partner with the Managing Director on practice OKRs, annual planning, budgeting, and headcount
Own revenue, margin, client retention, account growth, and team utilization, reporting to Darkroom leadership
Shape paid search service offerings, scopes, pricing inputs, and new service lines
Lead Paid Search’s role in new business through pitches, audits, and proposals
Build, lead, and grow a team of 6+ across Associate Directors, Managers, and Specialists
Develop the leadership bench, coaching managers and creating succession plans
Own org design and hiring plans, including leadership hiring decisions
Set career paths, leveling expectations, performance reviews, and individualized growth plans
Serve as executive sponsor for strategic client relationships and lead executive business reviews and annual planning
Act as final escalation point for high-stakes client and performance issues
Manage Google and Microsoft platform partner relationships
Lead Darkroom’s AI search build-out and pilot emerging ad products
Represent Darkroom’s paid search perspective through events, content, and partner programs
Partner with Shadow’s product team on AI and agentic tooling adoption
Set standards for campaign architecture, bidding, optimization, testing, Shopping, Performance Max, feed quality, and Merchant Center practices
Lead measurement strategy, attribution, incrementality testing, cannibalization testing, media mix modeling, and KPI frameworks
Turn portfolio learnings into repeatable playbooks and audit accounts across 15+ accounts with $3M–$10M+ aggregate monthly spend

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of paid media advertising experience, including at least 8+ years specializing in Paid Search and Google
5+ years leading paid search teams, including 3+ years managing managers
Experience leading a team of 6+ in a fast-paced agency or in-house environment
Proven experience building or scaling a paid search practice or department, including org design, hiring, process, and service delivery standards
Experience owning or directly influencing a practice or department P&L, including revenue, margin, utilization, and pricing
Experience overseeing paid search portfolios at $3M+ in aggregate monthly spend
Experience personally scaling Google ad accounts beyond $1M USD/month while maintaining or improving efficiency
Executive presence with CMOs, founders, and internal leadership
Expert-level command of Google Ads, including Shopping, Performance Max, and YouTube
Deep familiarity with Microsoft Advertising and the emerging AI search ad ecosystem
Mastery of the e-commerce marketing funnel
Mastery of e-commerce performance metrics including CPA, CAC, iROAS, nCAC, MER, aMER, CTR, and CPM
Knowledge of modern measurement approaches, including incrementality and brand search cannibalization testing
Strong background in portfolio-level budget forecasting, spend projection modeling, and data-derived decision-making
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work 9am–5pm EST; stated as non-negotiable
Current eligibility to work in the United States and visa sponsorship requirements are queried in the application form

Benefits

Comp & perks

Unlimited PTO + US holidays
Remote-first culture
Hybrid work with weekly in-office time for employees based in or near New York or Lisbon HQs
Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) program with company match
Profit-sharing opportunities
Flexible parental leave
Interdisciplinary growth and professional development opportunities