Paid Search Business Director

Company description

Performics UK is the performance marketing arm of Publicis Media, committed to exceeding business goals by blending Data, Tech, Ops, and Talent to accelerate performance impact daily. With over two decades of experience, we harness technology and innovation to generate and convert consumer demand across search, social, display, and commerce channels. Embracing a deep understanding of consumer intent and behaviour, we thrive on data-driven insights, guiding our planning and optimisation processes through rapid trials, real-time enhancements, and intelligent analytics.

Performics is dedicated to delivering award-winning results and empowering all Publicis Media UK clients.

Paid Search Vision

Our vision is to have a Paid Search product that we can be proud of, that stands up in the room, drives value for our clients and has universal understanding across the business.  We strive for:

• A department where employees feel recognised, fulfilled and energised to do great work
• Award winning work, thought leadership and features in every pitch
• The best product/technology and data on the market combined with the best client service
• Everyone pulling in the same direction.  All brands talking to the same proposition
• Maximise every single commercial opportunity

Overview

A highly experienced Paid Search specialist is required to support and develop one of Performics' largest and most prestigious global client relationships.

The role will be London based, with key stakeholders located in Geneva and across international markets. As a result, occasional international travel may be required.

The client is a truly unique brand: a privately owned non-profit organisation and one of the world's most recognised luxury brands despite a product range accessible to relatively few consumers.

Performics supports the client globally across Paid Search and Paid Social, spanning corporate communications, values-led activity and a sophisticated official retailer programme.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering best-in-class Paid Search strategy, stakeholder engagement and operational excellence across a highly complex global account.

Working closely with senior client stakeholders, international market teams and cross-functional agency partners, they will help shape the client's approach to search, data, measurement and innovation while ensuring exceptional delivery across all aspects of the engagement.

The role requires a blend of strategic thinking, technical understanding, team leadership and client partnership. The Business Director will be a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams, helping drive continued excellence across one of Performics' most important global relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong relationships with key client stakeholders and support senior client communications across the account.
• Develop a deep understanding of the client's brand, business objectives and global market priorities, ensuring Paid Search activity supports broader marketing goals.

• Lead the development of the Paid Search strategy, identifying opportunities to enhance effectiveness through innovation, automation, measurement and platform developments.
• Ensure all client deliverables are completed on time and to the exceptionally high standards expected by the client.
• Partner closely with international market teams to drive strategic consistency and operational excellence across global markets.
• Develop a strong understanding of the client's data, technology and measurement ecosystem, working closely with Data, Technology, Analytics, Social and Operations teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Translate complex data, performance and technical concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure ongoing account management is delivered efficiently and accurately, whilst balancing long-term strategic priorities with ad hoc client requests and business needs.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Paid Search specialists, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Contribute to thought leadership, best practice development and innovation across the wider Paid Search team and Performics business.

Qualifications

• Extensive elevant experience in Paid Search, with a strong understanding of search platforms, measurement frameworks, automation and emerging industry trends.
• Proven experience developing strategic Paid Search programmes for premium, luxury or brand advertisers
• Experience working across multiple international markets and coordinating with globally distributed teams.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with clients and cross-functional teams across Data, Technology, GEO and Analytics
• Strong experience managing senior stakeholder relationships within complex global organisations.
• Extensive experience in managing and mentoring high performing teams
• Excellent communication, presentation and storytelling skills, capable of producing decks and POV aimed to senior clients.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional information

Publicis Media offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

📖 Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Starcom, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. 

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.