Paid Search Account Director

About the role

Starcom, the flagship Publicis Media agency, is hiring a Paid Search Account Director to lead the Paid Search strategy for a major global client. The role combines strategic thinking with strong Search expertise, turning innovation across Google Ads and emerging discovery channels into business results. It involves shaping a Search roadmap, building trusted client relationships and developing a team.

Key responsibilities

• Own the Paid Search strategy and roadmap, turning business priorities into activation plans, investment recommendations and measurable outcomes.
• Lead campaign strategy across Google Ads, including Search, broad match, AI Max, Performance Max and Demand Gen, using automation thoughtfully.
• Shape bidding, audience, budget and experimentation strategies to improve engagement quality and efficiency.
• Turn performance data into actionable insights linked to broader marketing and business objectives.
• Act as a senior Search partner to the client, leading planning sessions and performance conversations.
• Lead and coach Search specialists, and partner with Social, Programmatic, ecommerce, SEO and analytics teams, as well as Google and other partners.

Required profile

• Strong hands-on Google Ads experience, with knowledge of Search, automation, Smart Bidding and newer formats such as Performance Max and Demand Gen.
• Good understanding of conversion and value-based bidding, audience strategy and balancing automation with business goals.
• Experience building trusted client relationships and explaining complex topics clearly.
• Experience supporting, coaching or managing others in a collaborative way.
• Commercial awareness, including budget management, forecasting and delivery, and interest in AI-driven search and ecommerce.

Required skills

• Google Ads and GA4 analysis, able to turn data into a clear story for different audiences.
• Confidence designing and evaluating experiments.

What we offer

• Pension, life assurance and private medical cover.
• Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave.
• Access to Employee Action Groups and inclusive benefits.