Associate Director, Paid Media

Description As the Associate Director Paid Media at OuterBox, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of all search engine marketing (SEM, paid social, and programmatic) initiatives. You will collaborate with innovative & transformative clients, senior management, and cross-functional teams to develop and execute paid media strategies that drive website traffic, conversions, and ROI. Your role involves managing a team of Media Strategists, optimizing campaigns, and staying ahead of industry trends. Job Responsibilities: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Strategic Leadership: Develop and communicate the overall paid media strategy, including goals and objectives internally and externally. Collaborate with clients or senior management to align paid media efforts with broader marketing and business objectives. Stay updated on industry trends, algorithm changes, and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge. Develop a robust testing roadmap with your team and ensure the continuous evolution of the client’s paid media programs. Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of Media Strategists & Sr Strategists, including setting clear performance objectives and providing guidance. Oversee campaign planning, execution, and optimization efforts. Ensure team members are well-equipped to deliver exceptional results. Campaign Strategy and Planning: Collaborate with clients and internal teams to understand campaign objectives and target audience. Develop paid media strategies tailored to meet client goals, including budget allocation and channel selection. Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and campaign milestones. Campaign Execution: Execution in the platforms is expected in the early stages of this role. Create, set up, and manage paid media campaigns across various platforms, such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and others. Develop ads utilizing provided images, videos, and landing pages. Implement audience targeting and segmentation strategies. Manage campaign budgets effectively, ensuring efficient allocation and adherence to financial goals. Performance Analysis and Optimization: Monitor and analyze campaign performance using analytics tools and performance dashboards. Identify trends and insights, providing recommendations for optimization. Conduct A/B testing, ad group restructuring, and other optimization techniques. Competitive Analysis: Analyze competitors' paid media strategies to identify opportunities and trends. Stay informed about industry developments and emerging advertising technologies. Reporting and Communication: Generate regular reports to track KPIs and campaign effectiveness. Communicate campaign progress, insights, and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders. Address client queries and concerns promptly. Directly manage media strategists and senior media strategists to own account execution and client communication. Other duties, as assigned. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, Business, or related field (Master's preferred). 8+ years of agency or client-side experience in digital strategy. A deep understanding of Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, LinkedIn, Meta & Programmatic. Experiencing managing or leading a team of direct reports. Certification in relevant advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Blueprint) is a plus. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Creative thinking and ability to develop compelling ad content. Proficiency in digital advertising and social media management platforms. Familiarity with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a plus. Benefits Why You’ll Love Working at OuterBox: High-character, fun, and cohesive work culture Competitive base salary PTO that is genuinely encouraged Affordable, low-deductible health insurance plans Supplemental benefits, including employer-paid life insurance, short & long term disability insurance 401k with company match Remote work flexibility Supportive, transparent, and accessible leadership that welcomes ideas, insights & feedback Professional/individual development stipend Salary Description: $90,000 - $105,000 If you’re ready to join a cohesive team that will support and encourage you to take your career to the next level, we encourage you to apply! Cohesive Culture + Good Humor + Combined Skills = Awesome Results At OuterBox, what we won’t stop doing is winning as a team for our clients, while at the same time winning for each other as both professionals and individuals. We know our wins start with our incredible people, which is why for over 20 years we’ve created — and continuously refined — a team-centric work culture rooted in trust, respect, accountability, appreciation, fun, and collaboration. The Plain Dealer & Cleveland.com demonstrate this by having awarded OuterBox as a Top Workplace for three years running in 2022–2024! At OuterBox, we’re here to thrive together — not simply survive. So if you’ve been searching for an agency that energizes, inspires, and directly helps you achieve the best for you, the person, and you, the professional, maybe it’s time to think outside the traditional agency box? Physical Demands Primarily involves sitting at a desk and using a computer for extended periods of time. Light physical activity is also required, such as carrying equipment or setting up for presentations. Requires a high level of mental focus and the ability to work under pressure. Good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to use a computer for extended periods are required. Work Authorization/Requirements Must be located in the USA. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Affirmative Action/EEO Statement Our company is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. OuterBox may use AI-assisted tools to support the hiring process. Human review is involved in all employment decisions.