Vice President, Paid Search

Company Description

With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellogg Company, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa and more.

Overview

The VP, Paid Search is responsible for leading the success of clients’ paid search campaigns by providing thought leadership on campaign strategies and optimization, and building strong relationships and establishing clear lines of communication with clients, partners, and internal staff members. As a VP of Search, you'll manage the strategy and oversee planning, optimization and reporting of client SEM campaigns. You will also find opportunities to integrate SEM with other capabilities. 

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, direction, management and support to individuals within the team to ensure their work aligns with our mission and goals 
• Motivate and manage a paid search media team in the creation, development, and execution of campaigns to meet/exceed expectations within budget and time parameters 
• Foster strong relationships with internal teams and client groups 
• Develop action plans to achieve and measure media success, including defining metrics, strategies for measurement and optimization 
• Advocate the value of paid search media and help educate clients, partners and internal teams on the latest developments and capabilities in this quickly evolving media channels 
• Provide team direction for improving campaign performance through optimization and/or implementing new features and strategies 
• Lead presentations to both clients and internal teams showcasing campaign strategy and performance results 
• Develops, manages, and monitors client P&L’s for assigned accounts 
• Implement complete media planning 
• Introduces Process Development Input, Quality Assurance and Best Practices Input 
• Collaborates with other department leads to share ideas, communicate service offerings, and identify and deliver new solutions for clients 
• Keeps senior management apprised of key client opportunities, potential risks and other key nuances which affect the health of the business 
• Prepares and presents annual financial plans and staffing plans 
• Develops a complete understanding of each client’s goals, markets, needs and expectations 
• Works within client relationships to champion initiatives that drive marketing decisions across digital channels 
• Attends client meetings on ongoing basis, interface as needed with executive level and middle management level on client side during meetings and presentations 
• Advocates across functional areas within client relationships (e.g. IT professionals, marketing/product managers, C-level executives) to develop rapport and deliver complex solutions 
• Communicates and implements a Participation Planning Process or all accounts 
• Solves client problems and uses conflict management skills within a professional environment 
• Manages strategy development and execution for in-depth marketing analysis areas, including segmentation, attitudinal/motivational analysis, concept/copy testing, sales forecasting, response prediction, advertising value, consumer profiling, customer profitability analysis (lifetime value), media mix modelling, conversion attribution analysis and return on investment measurement 
• Leverages syndicated digital research (e.g. ComScore, Nielsen, Hitwise) to benchmark trends and/or manage expectations of forecasted trends  
• Embraces and encourages a culture based on team work, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity 
• Motivates, leads, and manages internal teams, working collaboratively to drive programs that meet our clients’ business objectives 
• Establishes expectations and goals for team on performance marketing and thought leadership 
• Provide training as needed for team  
• Supports the development and documentation of standard methodologies to improve operational efficiencies within the team and the group 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, ideally with a concentration in marketing, advertising, business, or equivalent 
• 10+ years of account management experience in online advertising (paid search), direct marketing, or e-commerce with increasing levels of responsibility within an agency or media company, including client-facing responsibilities 
• 7+ years of experience in interactive marketing or business consulting using data and information to drive specific targeting and marketing recommendations
• Must have a strong knowledge of AI utilization within Performance media space
• 7+ years of team management experience 

• Possess strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret campaign performance data and provide insights and optimization recommendations 
• Understanding of best practices for leveraging social media for brand communication 
• Knowledge of statistical methods and testing methodology preferred 
• Deep knowledge of ad serving platforms and online analytic solutions 
• Excellent relationship building, diplomacy, and decision making skills with the ability to think creatively.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate to advanced understanding of Excel  

Additional Information

Starcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

The Power of One starts with our people! To do powerful things, we offer powerful resources. Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to U.S. based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents.

Compensation Range: $146,490 - $210,420 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/23/2025.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [email protected].  All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $146,490.00 - USD $210,420.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/5/2025.