Associate Director, Performance

About this role

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

JOB PURPOSE

This position sits in our Marketing & Technology service based in Manchester and London. We combine data, technology, creative content, and paid media to crack brands’ business problems & drive revenue through a variety of digital marketing solutions like ad campaigns, augmented reality, and chatbots. Our clients include ASOS, Just Eat Takeaway, Twitch, TikTok, and The White Company.

Are you a visionary Paid Search leader with a proven track record of driving tangible revenue and market share growth? Do you thrive on the thrill of the pitch and the satisfaction of expanding client portfolios? We're seeking a dynamic Paid Search leader to ignite our presence in the UKI, transforming our Paid Search discipline into a powerhouse of growth, innovation, people happiness, and client success.

You will suppoert the charge in evolving our Search discipline in a rapidly evolving and disrupting ecosystem. You won't just keep up with Google’s AI shifts; you will proactively integrate generative AI across platforms into our daily operations to redefine what 'performance' looks like in an AI-first world.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Take a strategic lead in the overall performance, profitability, and long-term business growth of our Paid Search discipline

• Accelerate and drive the transition from traditional Paid Search management to AI-driven accounts.

• Be a key player in new business efforts, actively engaging in pitches, refining our sales narratives, and collaborating closely with our new business department to secure and expand our client base.

• Drive adoption of the right tech and tooling, alongside ensuring we have a data-led approach across all accounts

• Oversee top Paid Search clients and drive innovation, project growth, and excellence in delivery.

• Spend at least 60% of time on projects or sales initiatives

• Enable and boost x-craft collaboration, bringing our Paid Search activities and offerings closer together with adjacent crafts, such as Content, Data, AI, Organic Search and Social.

• Ensure an agile development of our Paid Search proposition, aligning product-market fit and traction with the right target clients.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Have at least 10 years of experience in Paid Search.

• Are highly autonomous and proactive, demonstrating the ability to own complex projects and make significant decisions with minimal oversight.

• You have a deep curiosity for AI and machine learning. You don't just follow trends; you understand how to apply tools.

• Have a significant focus on business development, a successful track record with pitching, and client relationship management. You genuinely love the sales process.

• Have broader digital marketing knowledge (Social, Display, Content Marketing, Data etc.).

• Are analytical, flexible, and able to work independently.

• Have great communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to persuade.

• Are ambitious, results-oriented, and know how to plan and organise.

• Are located and directly available to start working from our London or Manchester offices;

• Are fluent in English.

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location);

• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies;

• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme;

• 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays);

• Refreshments are provided in the office all week, as well as drinks at 4 pm on a Thursday;

• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme;

• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents;

• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations;

• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events;

• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance;

• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®;

• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards;

• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with big names and clients.

WHY…